The Zonation and Visitor Use section of this plan
sets out an ambitious model of the two types of
tourism
products that the Reserve will offer to visitors
in the future. The successful implementation of this
scheme
necessitates a significant increase in
game-viewing track networks in the MMNR’s High Use Zones,
with the
aim of enhancing the overall quality of the
wildlife viewing experience in these areas, while reducing
both
vehicle congestion and the need for tourism
vehicles to go off road. In addition, a number of unofficial
tracks
have been developed in the MMNR through continuous
use by visitors, rather than being designed and
developed
by the Reserve’s management. Many of these
opportunistic roads are not optimally located from
a
management standpoint and are not maintained by
Reserve management, and are having significant
adverse
environmental and visual
impacts.
As a first step to towards improving game viewing
circuits in the High Use Zones, MMNR management
will build on and enhance current efforts to
rationalise the game viewing track network in key areas
by
clearly demarcating approved tracks, and closing
any inappropriate unofficial tracks that may have
developed.
In conjunction with this, the existing Masai Mara
Draft Game Viewing Track Plan (1980) will be
reviewed,
and any appropriate recommendations that have not
been implemented brought forward and
incorporated
in a new and updated MMNR Road Development Plan.
Of particular importance in the original
roads plan is Section 4, which sets out proposed
routes for new game viewing tracks, many of which
are
likely to still be appropriate (but will need
careful review with regard the MMNR zonation).
In addition, the road demarcating the boundary
between the high and low use zones in the CCN section
of
the Reserve that passes from the Talek-Olare Orok
river confluence across the central plains to “sausage
tree
crossing” north of the Keekorok – Mara
Bridge Road, near Roan Hill, will need to be clearly marked to
ensure
that visitors do not accidentally stray into zones
they are not permitted. Once the updated plan has
been
prepared, and development priorities identified,
detailed budgets and plans of works will then be
developed
for each new road development in line with the
roads plan’s recommendations.
