For those of you Kenya travelers, please be sure to read the news article I posted today (upper right corner of this page) regarding KWS inviting investors to build hotels in parks.

This could be truly devastating news for wildlife and the environment. Seems there is nothing but greed in this plan and it shows not much caring for wildlife at all. Between KWS raising park fees to $90.00 per day and now this move which will cut down even further on the area wildlife has to move about in, it seems new leadership is in order. The Mara has already been ruined with too many camps and lodges, now they want to do the same for other parks/reserves.

So sad I hope Kenya can get a grip before it is too late. I am headed to Kenya in sept this year. Was not in my plans but could not pass up the chance to go. I will be there sept 16-27 I will get to go to masai mara the last three days, hope i am not disappointed. My Italy trip did not work out.

Sorry to hear your Italy trip fell through. It will happen another time though.

I'll beat you to Kenya as I leave next weekend. When I get back I'll let you know what the wildlife is like in Tsavo, and hopefully you'll find it the same in the Mara.

Ok thanks be careful and have fun. Oh I forgot to tell you I got to look at your pictures they are nice

Pity Italy did not work out!
Crazy - 90.00 per day. When are they planning to introduce this?
I cannot believe they will do this - it will kill the safari business.
If I want to go on safari for 5 days with my wife and kids (4 of us) - entrance fee for 5 days will be 1800.00 just for park entrance..... are they absolutely stupid?

Cody:

"KWS, the custodian of the country’s game parks, is expected to increase park fees to $75 (Sh6,000) in January 2011 and $90 (Sh7,200) in January, 2012 as it seeks to raise money for its conservation and re-branding projects.

These fees, which affect international tourists only, will see visitors pay $60 (Sh4,800) during the low season and $75 (Sh6,000) in the high season in the first year.

This is expected to increase to $90 (Sh7,200) during the high season in 2012, but remain unchanged during the low season."

Also, now that they are inviting bidders to build hotels in the parks, they will be seriously cutting down on the area wildlife has to live on. Wildlife needs the space - we humans do not! There are enough lodges and camps already (look at the Mara mess). As to putting more hotels in the parks, they should only do so near the Tana River at Kipini or between Kipini and Mkunumbi in Lamu District, and perhaps one north of the Yatta Plateau and nowhere else.

It is obvious they are seeing dollar signs and not thinking honestly about what wildlife needs.