Mara’s Wildebeest Migration Officially Listed in Guinness Book of Records
By Nicholas Rono
Kenya is celebrating a major win for its tourism sector following the official recognition of the Great Wildebeest Migration as one of the world’s most extraordinary natural spectacles.
The UK government has listed the migration across the Mara River in the Guinness Book of World Records, declaring it the eighth wonder of the world.
The annual migration, which sees thousands of wildebeests cross from Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park into Kenya’s Maasai Mara Game Reserve, has now earned its place on the global stage as a record-breaking phenomenon.
Speaking during a forest conservation and tree planting exercise at Nkareta Ward in Narok North, Narok Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to promoting eco-tourism. He announced plans for the construction of tourist lodges in the area but emphasized that a council of elders would be established to oversee and regulate grazing activities by local herders.
His remarks were supported by Alex Lemakoko, the Chief Forest Conservator, who echoed the need for structured land and forest management.
Governor Ntutu also expressed gratitude to President William Ruto for his efforts in ensuring that deserving local residents recently received land title deeds during the President’s visit to Narok.
Narok County Commissioner Kipkech Lotiatia commended community members, forest officers, and security personnel for their continued collaboration in protecting forests and combating illegal logging.
It is important to note that in 2018, the government undertook a significant conservation effort by evicting over 35,000 families who had settled illegally in the Mau Forest.
Today, thanks to these conservation efforts, the Mau Forest and surrounding ecosystems have seen remarkable recovery—improving the lives of both wildlife and nearby communities.
The Mara River, a lifeline for the annual wildebeest migration, continues to flow with vitality, drawing thousands of local and international tourists every year to witness this incredible natural wonder.
