Tour operations at the Amboseli National Park remained stalled after the park was affected by massive flooding affecting game drives and several other tourist activities.
In a statement on December 11, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) confirmed the inaccessibility of one of the park's major entrances after heavy floods blocked the way for visitors.
“Following the continuing heavy rains countrywide, some of our National Parks' roads have been adversely affected, especially Amboseli National Park. The park's Kimana Gate is periodically flooded and inaccessible as are some parts of the park.
“Therefore, all visitors to Amboseli National Park are advised to seek guidance on the status of the road on the park hotline number 0716493335. We will update you on road conditions in other major parks soon,” read the statement.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, an official from the KWS confirmed the park status indicating that only a small part of the major park remained accessible.
“The large part of the park is totally inaccessible. Tourists can only access a small part of the park that has not been fully affected by the heavy floods,”
The source further revealed that the main tourist attractions at the park remained inaccessible and therefore tourists would not have the maximum scenic pleasure they would wish to.
“Right now, all the areas that tourists can view the elephants from are totally flooded. The elephants are a major tourist attraction and without the possibility of viewing them, tourists may not enjoy to the maximum,”
“The Ol Tukai and Serena areas have also remained flooded despite them being key tourist attraction areas. We just have to wait for the areas to get fully accessible for tourists to get to them,” remarked the official.
Incidents of tour operations were also cited especially at Gibo area where tour vans were reported to have been stuck and KWS officers had to intervene.
“Last week we had 4 tour vehicles that got stuck at Kibo area but were later gotten out through the help of KWS officials. At the moment, the area can not be accessed by any touring vehicle.
“For tourists to access the whole park, they may have to wait for the flood waters to susbide,” added the official.
On December 3, 2019, the Kenya Meteorological Department advised Kenyans to brace for a heavy rainfall of up to 100mm that could last until December 9.
The counties that were likely to be worst hit included Siaya, Kisumu, Homabay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Trans Nzoia, Baringo, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi, Laikipia, Nakuru, Narok, Kericho, Bomet, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma and Busia.
The meteorological department further informed that the holiday period was likely to be wet with occasional heavy storms expected in the afternoons and during the night.
