Confederation of Kenya Tourists Guides wants the Narok County Government to suspend County Finance Bill which seeks to change entry fees charging model for the Masai Mara National Reserve.

In a notice a week ago, the County Government limited entry fee into Masai Mara to 12 hours instead of 24 hours.

“The County Treasury wishes to inform all stakeholders that the amount chargeable for entry into Masai Mara National Reserve is a 12-hour ticket applicable from 6.00am to 6.pm, the time of entry notwithstanding. This is in relation to fees and charges in the first schedule of the Finance Act 2022 relating to Masai Mara National Reserve Park fees and charges,” read a notice by the Narok County CEC for Finance David Mundet.

The notice said the County had done so in order to raise cash to fund its Budget.
Addressing a press conference at a Nairobi hotel, officials of CKTG said the move means the charges into the park had been doubled.

In the last financial year, foreigners were charged US dollars 80 which is equivalent Sh11,248 for 24 hours stay in the Mara.

Hemed Idi Mukui the national chairman of CKTG said tourism worldwide follows a pre-sales model of business where the vast majority of safaris are sold even up to a year in advance.

“The changes that the County Government of Narok seeks to introduce are therefore, covering safaris that have already been confirmed and the bookings paid for.

It would, ethically, morally and legally not be possible to go back to the clients to add more money for concluded safari packages,” he said.