Why You Should Think Twice About Going to the Serengeti
For many people, an African safari is the trip of a lifetime — in part because of the steep price tag. Africa’s beautiful landscapes, exotic wildlife, and rich culture draw in millions of tourists each year. But could tourism be doing more harm than good, and could this be a particular issue in areas where wildlife is the source for the tourism industry?
Does it get prettier? Photo by Grace Badger.
The Serengeti, Africa's most renowned national park, spans over 5,695 mi² and is home to the Great Migration. Today, around 150,000-200,000 people visit the Serengeti each year to observe lions basking in the sun, cheetahs hunting in the grasslands, and wildebeests migrating across the Serengeti’s vast plains. While robust tourism numbers allow for increased conservation efforts and job creation, is too much of a good thing actually a bad thing?
Well in short, yes.
How has tourism affected wildlife in the Serengeti?
Fierce lioness stalking the area. Photo by Grace Badger.
While Serengeti tourism may have benefits for humans and wildlife of the region alike, over-’tourism can have negative effects on that same wildlife. Tourism has led to land degradation by vehicles, stress on wildlife, high demands for resources, the introduction of invasive plants, and has created barriers preventing wildlife migration.
A study done by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology showed the significant physiological stress tourists had on impalas in relation to roads and traffic. The study showed that because of tourist congestion, there is a more female skewed sex ratio, lower observed reproductive and recruitment rate, and reduced time spent in resting behavior.
So, the question inevitably becomes, how many tourists are too many? On this front, there’s no clear-cut answer. The best way to solve the issue of over tourism is simply to divert some human traffic from more highly used parks to less commonly visited ones. With plans to keep tourism numbers growing, it's up to the tourism industry and travelers to step up and give back with real support.
How can you help conserve wildlife and tackle over-tourism?
Visit game reserves
Selous and Ruaha are two game reserves located south of the Serengeti. Both reserves receive only a handful of visitors compared to the Serengeti, and a lack of income means fewer rangers to patrol the enormous reserves– and less of an incentive to protect the wildlife. Your entry fee will contribute directly to conservation efforts, and you will get to see just as much wildlife!
Donate to an organization
Organizations such as WWF, are looking at innovative ways to deter poachers. Just $5.50 can send a local child to an elephant reserve, where they will learn about elephant conservation, and $32 will pay an anti-poaching ranger’s salary for a month.
Be Book Smart
Many tour companies also have projects which promote education and raising awareness in schools of the importance of conservation. Research before booking with a company!
Never purchase items made from endangered species
Just don’t. This includes coral, turtle shells, eggs, ivory, fur, and bone.
We’re not saying don’t go visit this extraordinary park but just do so with respect to the planet, people, and wildlife. Make sure to tag @theedgemag if a safari in the Serengeti is in your books.