The Impacts of Leisure Activities and Tourism Case-Study 1 – Kenya The Environmental and Cultural Impacts of Tourism at The Maasai Mara © Penstone Productions

This section covers: The advantages and disadvantages of Safari Holidays in Kenya The advantages and disadvantages of Visits to Maasai Villages in Kenya

Part A: Safari holidays in the Big Game Reserves – Environmental Impacts

There are many game reserves in Kenya Safari means ‘To Travel’ in Swahili, one of Kenya’s main languages It is worth remembering the names of at least two of these – see next

Tanzania Sudan Mt Kenya Nairobi Indian Ocean Lake Turkana Mt Elgon Ethiopia SomaliaSomalia Great Rift Valley UgandaUganda Maasai Mara Amboseli Tsavo Kenya – map of the game reserves

Tourism in Southern Kenya Nairobi Mombasa Tsavo Amboseli Maasai Mara One of these game reserves is the most typical place to visit on a one or two week holiday in Kenya –which one? Task a) Write down the names and locations of 3 famous game reserves in Kenya

A typical safari holiday… Day 1Arrive at Nairobi Airport and transfer to hotel. Day 2Drive west to the Serena Mara Lodge in the Maasai Mara…it is built in African- style with a thatched roof. Enjoy cocktails on the terrace while looking over the glade. Day 3Drive thorough the Mara in the jeeps and see buffalo, rhinoceros, elephants, birds, etc. Day 4More game viewing with chance to see some of the more unusual species. Day 5Visit the Maasai. Day 6View the big game animals from a hot air balloon on your last day at the lodge. Enjoy your last evening with dancing from the Maasai. Day 7Return to Nairobi.

What are the advantages of safari holidays? Read this piece carefully. A game reserve is an area of land set aside for maintenance of wildlife for tourism purposes. Many game reserves are located in Africa. Most are open to the public, and tourists commonly take sightseeing safaris.wildlife safaris A game reserve is more than just a piece of land or somewhere to keep wildlife, it is a place where ecosystems are protected and conservation is key. Safaris show indigenous wildlife in their natural habitat (unlike zoos) where growth in numbers at a natural rate can occur. Tourism with game reserves: The biggest attraction is the BIG 5 (Africa) - Rhino, Elephant, Buffalo, Hippo and Lion, so named because when hunted in the past these were the most fearsome and dangerous of prey. Of course this is not done on game reserves anymore and is mostly illegal.

Animals are protected from hunting within the game reserves. Task b: Now list three or four advantages of safari holidays into game reserves Can you use these words: ecosystem / conservation / indigenous?

FOCUS : ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF SAFARI TOURS IN MASAI MARA 1. How big is the Maasai Mara game reserve? 2. What are the different impacts of the hot air balloon trips? 3. What do the tourists think of the balloons? 4. How important is tourism to Kenya’s economy? 5. How has Safari accommodation changed? 6. What are the different impacts of the guesthouses / hotels? 7. What are the negative impacts of the minibus tourism? Task c) These questions are in your booklet – you need to answer them throughout the video clip which follows. Read them through first.

Teachers … Play that vid! First click on this link and play from 18 minutes in \Holiday India + Child Labour India + Kenya Safaris.VOB\Holiday India + Child Labour India + Kenya Safaris.VOB Alternatively, come out of this powerpoint and click on the above file in the same folder as this. It is VOB so best viewed with PowerDVD or WinDVD. Second click on this link and play the first 6 minutes 06 seconds. (Or come out of this slideshow and click on, it will play in Windows Media Player). \Kenya 2.mpg

Before After

What impact does tourism have on the vegetation and soil within the game parks?

Part B – Impacts of Visits to the Maasai Village outside of the Game Park

Introducing the Maasai people Watch / Read / Listen to the next 5 slides carefully … the information will be useful to activity (d)

The Maasai are often visited on the tourist trail in the Maasai Mara. The tourists have the opportunity to purchase souvenirs, such as beads, from the Maasai. The Maasai are nomadic herders (i.e. they travel from one watering hole to another with their cattle). However, they have been moved from their grazing lands several times to make way for European farmers. Their movements have also been restricted by the game parks set up by the government in the 1950s. In fact, the Maasai Mara was part of the Massai’s original land. Many of the Maasai have had no choice but to settle down. The Maasai

These are Maasai houses No windows, just one hole at the top, and one door On the roof, cow dung and straw On top of the wood, cow dung and river mud complete insulated walls They are made of wood structure (the one above is not finished) A village of 20 or so of these is called a ‘kraal’ There is a constant fire: for heat, cooking and smoke (insect repellent) Cow hides are used as bedding The village is surrounded by a circular fence – keeps wildlife out!

These are Maasai warriors They wear a distinctive red checked blanket (shuka) These are Maasai warriors They protect their tribe, their cattle and their grazing lands. Aged 14, boys leave the village and look after cattle far from the village for as much as 8 years They return as warriors. They return to get married.

These are Maasai women They are responsible for all domestic tasks. Including building the houses. Elder women are as important as elder men – in that way this society is more equal than many Many students are quick to comment on the shaven heads. What does this say about different cultures’ views on beauty?

What is this? It is a piece of batik (dyed) cloth – a craft that has been passed on over many generations. What does this piece show? An owl looking face on at us? Or two people squatting in front of each other and sharing a bowl?

Task d: Write a quick postcard from the Maasai Mara Game Reserve – it is the day before your visit to the game reserve … what do you expect the visit to be like? What experiences do you hope to have? How will you help the Maasai by visiting? This is a time limit activity. Until the music ends …

Teachers … Play that vid! Second click on this link and play ON FROM 6 minutes 06 seconds (Or come out of this slideshow and click on, it will play in Windows Media Player). \Kenya 2.mpg

Quick discussion: What was the point made about migration of wildebeest? How are the Maasai people interrupting these ancient migration patterns? What is responsible for the change?

Quick discussion: what cultural and environmental problems are shown here?

Task e: Write a follow up postcard from the Maasai Mara Game Reserve – it is the evening AFTER your visit to the game reserve … what are the impacts of tourism to the Maasai villages? This is a time limit activity. Until the music ends …

Environmental Disadvantages Summary Balloons : Noise pollution / Cast shadows / Force migration of animals Back-up trucks for Balloons : Soil erosion Hotels : Some animals afraid / Others feed on litter Minibuses : soil erosion / disturb animals’ hunting and mating Relocated Maasai villages now in path of migrating buffalo

Social Problems Maasai no longer have access to good grazing land Maasai may prefer to earn money from tourism and ignore farming, etc. May especially be true for younger generations Maasai culture is ‘cheapened’ E.g. they become a tourist side-show E.g. traditional crafts ‘knocked up’ quickly