Local charges on Park Fees to increase for ALL parks & reserves effective May 1, 2008

Delegates to MARA 2008 should budget on a local fee increase (Kenya Wildlife Service - Government Surcharge) of ~$20 US per day per person.

Thus, on the advice of our ground operators in Nairobi, delegates to MARA 2008 should plan on the local Government Surcharge being increased by $20 per person per day - for the 6 days, $120. We anticipate the increase for children will be 50% the adult rate increase.

This increase in local government fees is imposed on all operators and thus on us. This part of fee structure is outside of our control and impossible to predict. All operators in Kenya post advice that these local charges are subject to change and this is consistent with the similar advice posted on each of the MARA 2008 costs pages. The new park entry tariffs will appear as part of the local Government Surcharge in the MARA 2008 fee schedule and the 2nd deposit payment due for February 2007 increased slightly.

As a consequence and in accordance with published advice we will need to adjust the payment schedule with immediate effect. In the event that the changes are not as pre-advised we will adjust the schedule for final payment accordingly.

Delegates that have made final payments will need to meet these new Government Charges for April 2008, according to the payment schedule.

Background: On January 20 we reported (link) on a new initiative by the Kenya Tourist Board apparently aimed at the long-term conservation of the Maasai Mara. The KTB as a organ of the Government of Kenya, feels the Mara has become a victim of its own success against a background of exponentially increasing visitor numbers in Kenya over the last 24 months. Kenya and the Mara especially have simply become too popular. The result is a plan for staged transition from high visitor numbers, including many budget and ultra-budget packages, towards lower visitor numbers and thus lower impact but while maintaining the required income to manage the reserve. This circumstance has been exacerbated by the current low exchange value of the $ US.

While this initiative makes good sense for conservation and is (on our own observations) necessary for the long-term management of the Maasai Mara it has the obvious financial implications, including for MARA 2008.

At Natural Events we believe that the curb on visitor numbers will enhance the quality of the MARA experience. To quote Duncan Muriuki, the chairman of the Kenya Association of Tour Operators; "We have something unique to preserve in the Masai Mara ............ We are going to have to aim at a non-mass market approach for places like the Mara. Go for quality not quantity."