Kenya's tourism tested by flooding

Flooding triggered by weeks of heavy rain has disrupted access to some of Kenya's most popular wildlife destinations, forcing emergency evacuations, damaging park infrastructure and testing the resilience of East Africa's safari tourism sector.

Authorities said that rising river levels and waterlogged transport routes have affected travel in parts of the Maasai Mara National Reserve and Amboseli National Park, while stressing that most tourism activities and wildlife habitats remain largely intact.

"A few days ago, we had the Mara River and the Talek River in the Maasai Mara burst their banks, so a lot of tourists and staff evacuated the camps," said Marc Goss, chief executive of the Mara Elephant Project.

Paul Wambi, assistant director at the Kenya Wildlife Service in charge of the Amboseli ecosystem, said the flooding has mainly affected transport infrastructure rather than wildlife populations.

"Yes, in the park we have experienced some flooding, but the main infrastructure affected is the airstrip, which is currently flooded and not operational," Wambi said. "A few roads have also been affected and are not passable, but we have not seen much impact on wildlife."

The Kenya Wildlife Service earlier announced a temporary suspension of flights at the main Amboseli airstrip as a precaution, directing airlines and tour operators to use an alternative landing site while authorities monitor conditions and carry out repairs.

Tourism, one of Kenya's top foreign-exchange earners, supports thousands of jobs in conservation areas and surrounding communities. Analysts said extreme weather events are increasingly exposing the vulnerability of wildlife-based tourism — a pillar of many African economies — to climate variability.

Kenya's Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife sought to reassure both international and domestic travelers that safety across major tourism circuits remains a priority despite the disruptions.

Industry stakeholders said contingency planning and improved communication systems have helped cushion the impact. Some camps have rerouted guests via operational airstrips and adjusted game drive schedules to avoid damaged crossings.

Emergency response

Harison Nampaso, chairman of the Mara Managers Association, said coordination between tour operators and local authorities has strengthened emergency response during the rainy season.

"Real-time communication and zonal coordination have enabled resources to reach affected areas quickly, allowing most camps to continue receiving guests," he said.

The disruptions come amid broader weather-related challenges across East Africa's transboundary tourism ecosystem. In neighboring Tanzania, tour operators have issued advisories after flooding rendered some roads and river crossings in parts of the Serengeti National Park unsafe.

The Tanzania Association of Tour Operators has issued an urgent public notice urging stakeholders to avoid flooded rivers and roads in Serengeti National Park after severe flooding swept away several vehicles and raised fears of missing individuals.

In Kenya, the death toll from flooding has exceeded 70, with thousands of families displaced, authorities said, as rescue operations continue across affected areas.

While officials expect operations to gradually resume once rains subside and repairs are completed, analysts said the disruptions underscore the need for greater investment in climate-resilient transport networks and conservation infrastructure to safeguard the sector's long-term sustainability.