A short video from the Maasai Mara showing tourists on foot obstructing a wildebeest crossing has triggered outrage online and prompted a swift clarification from the Reserve’s management.

The incident occurred near the Purungat Bridge, a busy crossing point along the migration route, and has since raised concerns over both visitor behaviour and wildlife safety.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the Chief Warden of the Maasai Mara National Reserve condemned the conduct displayed in the clip.

“Such behaviour is not condoned within the Maasai Mara National Reserve. The safety of our visitors and the well-being of our wildlife are of utmost priority, and we expect the highest standards of conduct from guides and guests alike,” he said.

According to the statement, the Purungat Bridge is a designated rest stop equipped with toilets and used as a hippo viewing area where tourists are permitted to step out of vehicles but only under armed ranger escort.

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On the day in question, the bridge had been submerged, forcing vehicles to wait for water levels to drop and debris to be cleared.

While visitors were outside their vehicles, a herd of wildebeests unexpectedly gathered to cross.

Rangers, supported by the Chief Warden, immediately intervened and ordered all tourists back into their vehicles.

The process took less than a minute, which explains why the footage circulating online is brief.

No harm was reported either to tourists or to the animals, the statement confirmed.

Questions were also raised by claims that some guests may have been asked for money in exchange for access.

The Chief Warden noted that these allegations remain unverified, but stressed that, if proven, such actions would represent a serious breach of conduct warranting disciplinary measures.

“Allegations that guests were asked for money in exchange for access remain unverified. If proven, such actions are a serious violation and will attract disciplinary action,” and further explained that guides who were present had already pledged to observe Reserve rules more strictly.

To address longer-term challenges at the site, the Department of Tourism and Wildlife said it is working with the Narok County Government and national authorities on plans to elevate the Purungat Bridge.

Officials believe the upgrade would ease congestion during migration season and reduce the chances of similar incidents recurring.

The video has meanwhile continued to spark debate on social media.



One Kenyan wrote on X, “Tourists jumped out of their Safari vehicles and rushed to the banks of the river in Maasai Mara to witness the wildebeests’ migration and they blocked their path to the extent that the wildebeests even had to jump back into the water. A less than a meter gap! Infuriating.”