Photos: Kenya's famed wildebeest migration continues without foreign tourist crowds

Wildebeests (Connochaetes taurinus) cross the Mara river during their migration to the greener pastures, between the Maasai Mara game reserve and the open plains of the Serengeti, southwest of Nairobi. One of nature's most spectacular sights, East Africa's great wildebeest migration, went largely unwatched this year as the effects of the pandemic.

Giraffes are seen among wildebeests as they prepare to cross the Mara river. Normally, the magnificent plains of Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve are crowded with international tourists hoping to see a lion hunt during the annual wildebeest migration - but this year COVID-19 means Kenyans had it all to themselves.

That's good news for animal watchers but bad for conservationists who rely on the funds to pay for rangers and protection. By June, Kenya had already lost 80 billion Kenyan shillings ($740 million)in tourism revenue, about half of last year's total, due to the coronavirus crisis.

Tour guide Milton Siloma has worked in the world-famous reserve on Kenya's southern border for 30 years and said he's never seen it so quiet. "We are alone," he said. "We are supposed to have thousands and thousands of tourists around watching this phenomenon."

Although the absence of tourists makes little difference to the giant herd of wildebeest moving between Kenya and neighboring Tanzania, it's a serious problem for the park, the local government and the surrounding community. Without tourists there is no income from park entry fees, scenic hot air balloon rides - a specialty of the park - and tourist lodges.

This weekend, thousands of mostly Kenyan visitors travelled to the park to witness the migration. There were few foreigners - Kenya shut down international flights in March and only resumed them on August 1. | Above: Visitors gather to witness the wildebeests crossing the Mara river.

"Once I came here, my thought and my view about everything has changed. I am actually embarrassed that I have not come here the 29 years I have been alive," tourist Patience Mumo said. | Above: Zebras drink water as wildebeests prepare to cross the Mara river.

So far Kenya has just over 26,000 confirmed cases of the disease and 420 deaths. Tourist resorts are required to observe strict social distancing and hygiene measures but have been allowed to reopen.

"We are trying to revive the sector through the domestic tourism strategy. And that is why we ask Kenyans ... to support tourism," Tourism and Wildlife Minister Najib Balala (above) said.

A vulture arrives to feed on the carcass of wildebeests that died in a stampede as they attempted to cross the Mara river.

Wildebeests cross the Mara river during their migration to the greener pastures, between the Maasai Mara game reserve and the open plains of the Serengeti, southwest of Nairobi.

Wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) prepare to cross the Mara river.

Wildebeests (Connochaetes taurinus) prepare to cross the Mara river during their migration to the greener pastures, between the Maasai Mara game reserve and the open plains of the Serengeti, southwest of Nairobi, Kenya August 8, 2020. Picture taken August 8, 2020. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya

Wildebeests (Connochaetes taurinus) prepare to cross the Mara river during their migration to the greener pastures, between the Maasai Mara game reserve and the open plains of the Serengeti, southwest of Nairobi, in the Maasai Mara game reserve, Kenya August 8, 2020. Picture taken August 8, 2020. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya

Wildebeests (Connochaetes taurinus) gather as they prepare to cross the Mara river during their migration to the greener pastures, between the Maasai Mara game reserve and the open plains of the Serengeti, southwest of Nairobi, in the Maasai Mara game reserve, Kenya August 9, 2020. Picture taken August 9, 2020. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya

Wildebeests (Connochaetes taurinus) gather as they prepare to cross the Mara river during their migration to the greener pastures, between the Maasai Mara game reserve and the open plains of the Serengeti, southwest of Nairobi, in the Maasai Mara game reserve, Kenya August 9, 2020. Picture taken August 9, 2020. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya