Matt_from_England

With the reduced tourist numbers many are fearing the levels of poaching in the Mara will increase due to the warden's not receiving funding:

Under Baraza Blog (25 January) - We must prevent a Crisis in the Mara

www.wildlifedirect.org/blogAdmin/baraza

Under Bara Triangle (25 January) - Silence in the Mara

wildlifedirect.org/blogAdmin/maratr...ce-in-the-mara/

"... Now that the tourists are gone from the Mara I have been at home with my family, this is not to say that there is no work for us to do but it is because there is no longer the funding for us to carry on."

"... This was meant to be one of our high seasons, but without the revenue we receive from entrance fees we have had to drastically cutback on all of our operations."

The Mara sounds like it could be in trouble, with tourists not visiting and bringing much needed funds (entrance fees) into the Reserve managed by the Mara Conservancy, since the political upheaval in Kenya. It is important that those of us who share a love of the Mara can in some way assist, whether it be through a donation or not cancelling a proposed trip.

For more information please visit

www.wildlifedirect.org

and

www.maraconservancy.com

atravelynn

Thanks for the info. and link. It took 90 seconds to donate with PayPal.

Nyamera

Thanks, Matt. You can donate without PayPal as well.

LyndaS

Thankyou Matt for posting this. I tried to donate yesterday on the baraza link, and couldn't; and then just tried again & still can't.

Anyone else having this problem?

DanaPhx

Yes, thank you Matt this information about the crisis in the Mara. Basically my love of the Masai Mara is undeniable and I will do everything to help in whatever way I can. I hope other Fodor members will do the same, especially after reading Dr. Richard Leakey's passionate plea on Wildlife Direct blog:

http://wildlifedirect.org/blogAdmin/...a-please-help/

We must help protect the wildlife of the Mara in this time of crisis. Will you help or at least comment on this, so this thread will not get lost? I'd love to hear any pro's/con's/other comments.

cary999

Ladies and Gents - I've posted the following on two other threads. I apologize if thus too repetitious, but no more postings of it after this.

FWIW, I thought perhaps now, February, might be a good time to safari in Kenya or Tanzania. Give some business to the camps and have a great safari. Perhaps the "pretty much empty" camps would offer deals/discounts. Sooooo, I saw a local (office about 3 miles from me) TA who specializes in Kenya and TZ, Somak Safaris. They came back with no great deals, apparently rack rates and at camps I'm not familiar with. (Mara Safari Luxury Tented Camp, Samburu Intrepeids Tented Camp). When I talked with Somak I had suggested Governor Camps and/or Ndutu area.

I was willing to spend a few thou $$$ now to go at moments notice, if good bargain, good for me and good for the camps. But I guess not. And no, I don't expect the camps to give themselves away but if they are half empty, guests that allow them to meet expenses might be welcome. I don't know, just my 2 cents.

regards - tom
ps - a reply to this on another thread suggests I should contact the camps directly. Anyone tried it in the last few weeks, call camps for any special rates now?

Alejandra

Yes i spoke to one camp manager (luxury camp) directly and asked for the rate in mid-March without mentioning anything about getting a good deal because of the political unrest, and got a fairly lower rate than it normally would have been.

Nyamera

Tom, I have got better rates several times when I’ve asked camps directly, even in July. Now it feels like taking advantage of the situation though. I’ll try anyway.

Nyamera

Lynda, I used the Mara Triangle blog and had some problems with my address not being “valid” before it worked.

cary999

How about some numbers, without mentioning names. Were the discounts 10%, 20%, 40%?

I don't like to take advantage of anyone for anything. But if we both can benefit then we both win.

regards - tom

Alejandra

30%

jjmamabear

I am just devestated by the news that continues to come from Kenya. I have already put my deposit on the 7th trip to the Mara. The rallies will have to be right in the middle of the Mara for me to cancel. All of us that love this beautiful place must standup and help them continue their patrols. If you have never seen an elephant with a wire around its leg in terrible condition you cannot turn away. Remember it does not take much to help. If you had the means to come to this beautiful land than you must have the means to help. All of you who have come to Fordor's and spouted how beautiful it is there, and what a wonderful trip you had MUST take the time to help! Don't let them stop the patrols, It is a matter of all wildlife's survival.

DanaPhx

Thanks for your comment jjmamabear. I agree with you about it doesn't take much to help the Mara is their time of need. I myself don't care about getting a "deal" or "discount" on a place to stay in the Mara, I care about the welfare of the animals and unless funds are raised for their antipoaching patrols many animals may die and what's the point on visiting.

Thank you Lynn, Linda and Nyamera for getting the point of Matt's post.