MAASAI MARA – The Maasai Mara National Reserve has officially been recognized by the World Book of Records, UK, as the site of the world’s largest annual terrestrial wildlife migration, marking a major international milestone for Kenya’s tourism and conservation sectors.
The honor highlights the annual movement of over 1.5 million wildebeests, zebras, and antelopes across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, a spectacle unmatched anywhere on Earth.
Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano welcomed the certification as a defining moment for Kenya. “This recognition confirms what we already know Maasai Mara is not just a destination, it is a global treasure,” Miano said on Tuesday. “The Great Migration is a powerful symbol of ecological balance and nature’s resilience.”
She credited the achievement to collaborative efforts among the government, Narok County leadership, local communities, and conservation partners.
“This win is not only for Kenya, but for the planet,” she added. “We are proud to showcase Maasai Mara to the world. Karibu Kenya.”
Narok Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu echoed that sentiment, calling the recognition a direct result of focused conservation reforms introduced by his administration.
“When I took office two and a half years ago, we committed to revamping the Maasai Mara through clear management plans, enhanced ranger support, and technology-driven conservation strategies,” Ntutu said during a briefing in the reserve.
Under Ntutu’s leadership, Narok County implemented the Maasai Mara Reserve Management Plans, improved internal infrastructure, and deployed digital tools to strengthen wildlife protection.
“This certification affirms the success of those reforms and our long-term vision,” he said. “The Mara holds over 25 percent of Kenya’s biodiversity. Beyond the migration, this is a living, breathing landscape of critical ecological importance.”
The World Book of Records award will be officially presented at a ceremony inside the reserve. The date is yet to be announced.
The Great Migration begins each year in Tanzania’s Serengeti before moving into Kenya’s Maasai Mara during the dry season, drawing global visitors and supporting Kenya’s eco-tourism industry.
Local communities and rangers have played a central role in preserving the habitat, which faces pressures from climate change, poaching, and tourism impact.
“This moment belongs to every ranger, every community member, every conservationist,” Miano said. “Their work has made Maasai Mara what it is today.”
Governor Ntutu concluded with a call to action: “Visit the Mara. Witness this miracle of life. Every river crossing, every herd, every step this is nature at its finest.”
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