I would like to make the suggestion that any of us who sees bad driving and threatening of wildlife on safari makes sure we take down the license number of the vehicle, the name of the company and report it to the nearest KWS gate. Better yet, take a picture of what they are doing wrong.

The worst drivers I saw the last three weeks were all from Pollman Safaris. They were speeding on the dusty Amboseli roads so fast that cars going in the opposiste direction had to completely stop until the dust stopped. They rushed to and surrounded five lions resting before their hunt. Their clients were all noisy, laughing and calling to the animals.
They were reported, and hopefully KWS will fine them or prevent the drivers from coming into the park for a period of time.

If we who love wildlife don't speak out on these poor drivers, nothing will be done. We owe it to the wildlife we love to help stop this awful practice.

A very good idea, Jan !!

Many tourists will not know who to address the report to, so just post it here and we can pass it on. Good thinking, bravo !!

each and every driver who wants to lead tourists into reserves and parks should be educated and forced to sign a kind of "code of conduct". no driver whitout these obligations should be allowed into reserves/parks!
furthermore the safari companies and camps should educate their driver guides that they MUST not give in in case a client asks for the "ultimate encounter" by offering bigger tip! the contrary must be the case: a driver who does harm or threat an animal must be fired, will loose his licences !

Carsten: One could report directly to KWS at the main gate of the park you are in at the time you exit or you can write directly to kipngetich@kws.org (head of KWS).

Pippa: I love your idea of having every driver sign a "code of conduct". I'll mention it to my Kenya tour operator and see if he can do anything about instituting it.

Original von Jan
Carsten: One could report directly to KWS at the main gate of the park you are in at the time you exit or you can write directly to kipngetich@kws.org (head of KWS).

Pippa: I love your idea of having every driver sign a "code of conduct". I'll mention it to my Kenya tour operator and see if he can do anything about instituting it.

How many tourists that come to Kenya really, deeply care about the conservation of the wildlife here? For the majority, its a once in a life time trip!! And they intend to make the most of it.
The tour driver on the otherhand - well he has a job to do and when he does a good job, he gets a better tip. THese drivers live of these tips because most tour companies hardly pay more than the minimum wage to these drivers!
Its a sad situation but also a reality!! Many driver guides care little for the environment and the flora and fauna that earn them this tip. But it doesn't stop there. The comanies they work for generally have little or no concern for the environment and if they are involved in any community based projects, it is simply on the face. Providing financial support does not make one a conservationist or an eco friendly operator. The same goes to these so called eco-friendly camps that think that by lobbying for new rules and regulations (more often than not, these are to try and eliminate competition rather than preserve the environment) all the wrong will just disappear. It is the ignorance of the toursit that encourages such behaviour and of course the blame is on the "guy doing his job." If things are going to change it has to start with education - not only of the tour operators/drivers/lodges etc. The tourist must also be educated such that they do not allow for such behaviour.
Finally, if you wish to report any incidences that are of concern, please contact the Kenya Association of Tour Operators (KATO) http://www.katokenya.org/