{"id":16276,"date":"2025-07-23T12:42:50","date_gmt":"2025-07-23T11:42:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/explorersagainstextinction.co.uk\/blog\/?p=16276"},"modified":"2025-10-30T15:21:16","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T15:21:16","slug":"when-wildlife-tourism-crosses-the-line","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/explorersagainstextinction.co.uk\/blog\/when-wildlife-tourism-crosses-the-line\/","title":{"rendered":"When Wildlife Tourism Crosses the Line"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Recent scenes from the Serengeti, captured by wildlife guide Nick Kleer<\/a><\/strong>, have sent shockwaves through tourism circles and reignited the debate about whether wildlife tourism does more harm than good. The footage \u2013 showing vehicles blocking wildebeest crossings and tourists out of their vehicles \u2013 is disturbing. These scenes show a clear disregard not only for the wildlife but also for the experience of other guides and guests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sadly, this despicable behaviour is not new. The truth is, wildlife tourism can be a<\/strong> powerful force for conservation when done well<\/strong>, but in the wrong hands, it quickly turns into exploitation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A Global Issue of Respect<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve been fortunate to watch wildlife all over the world \u2013 from swimming with whale sharks and manta rays in Ningaloo, Australia, to seeing tigers in India, observing polar bears in Svalbard, and trekking to see gorillas in Bwindi. I\u2019ve seen elephant seals on the Vald\u00e9s Peninsula in Argentina, cruised with dolphins and whales in the Azores, and watched grey seals right here on the beaches of Norfolk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The wildlife behaves much the same<\/strong> wherever you go<\/strong>. It\u2019s the people who are the variable \u2013 and often, the problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Svalbard stands out<\/strong> as a place where the protocols are crystal clear, penalties are tough, guides are highly trained, and wildlife welfare is non-negotiable. In other places, I\u2019ve witnessed a whole spectrum of behaviour, from guests ignoring guidance, or pressuring guides to get closer for a better photo, to guides driving dangerously or irresponsibly. In severe cases, wildlife becomes little more than a quick fix, a consumable \u2013 something to brag about over dinner, rather than a meaningful, patient encounter<\/strong> that fosters a real connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Serengeti: What I Saw in February<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Earlier this year, I travelled from the southern Serengeti, where the wildebeest were calving, to the northern Serengeti where it meets the Masai Mara. In February, those river crossing points in the north are blissfully quiet. It’s paradise. I have photos from points 6 and 7 showing what they look like out of season: serene riverbanks, untouched landscapes and wonderful birdlife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I travelled with Nomad Tanzania<\/strong>. Our guide, Rem, over breakfast, explained the strict protocols<\/strong> followed during peak migration season in the Northern Serengeti by their guiding teams. Vehicles must stay well back near the treeline and wait, sometimes for hours, to avoid putting pressure on the herds. Only when the herds start to cross can they sneak forward, and never right down to the riverbank as recent images show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rem explained how vehicle positioning and movements on the riverbank can impact the wildebeest and how important it is to give them space and time. In my experience, Nomad Tanzania prioritises guide training<\/strong> – the quality of their driving and knowledge is excellent. This standard will of course vary from one operator to another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even outside the migration, vehicle crowding in national parks\/reserves – from Africa to India – can be a big issue. In the southern Serengeti, I counted 17 vehicles surrounding a single cheetah and her cub<\/strong>. We chose not to stay and be part of it, but that\u2019s an easy choice for me. I\u2019ve been on safari many times and have had the privilege of seeing cheetah. For a first-time visitor, the pressure to \u2018see it all,\u2019 often in just a few days, can be far greater, and the guide will be fully aware of this. We set off in the opposite direction and enjoyed a memorable encounter with three lionesses without another vehicle in sight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Choice and Responsibility<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Going back to the recent scenes in the Serengeti – everyone plays a part. Guests have a choice. Guides have a choice. At some point, the moral compass must kick in and both must take responsibility. Agents also play a vital role in managing guest expectations right from the very first enquiry. Meanwhile, authorities must enforce the rules to ensure wildlife and wild spaces are protected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Locally based guides\/operators are stewards of the land, responsible for how it is introduced to their guests. Many guides are excellent and deeply passionate conservationists. However, some, like those called out in Nick Kleer\u2019s Instagram post, lack training and experience, and give the profession a bad name by prioritising quick wins over responsible behaviour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s worth noting that in East Africa, experiences can vary depending on where you go. Private concessions and reserves often have far stricter protocols than national parks<\/strong> as well as limiting visitor numbers. With highly trained guides and a cap of two or three vehicles at any one sighting, the experience is high quality and low impact. This not only improves wildlife welfare but also makes for a far better safari compared to the congestion and competitive driving often seen in public parks\/reserves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ultimately, Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) <\/strong>and other official bodies must take a hard look at their priorities. Is this about stewardship of a national treasure, or is it simply about maximising commercial gain? Park fees are collected for a reason \u2013 to fund enforcement and protect these wild spaces \u2013 and that responsibility must not be diluted by tourism pressure or commercialism. Does the blame for these chaotic scenes ultimately rest with them and a lack of regulation and oversight?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What Needs to Change?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s time to rethink how river crossings are managed. Possible solutions include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n