Flooding in a Kenyan Natural Reserve Forces Tourist Evacuation

By Mohamed Ahmed and Emma Bubola

Mohamed Ahmed reported from Mombasa, Kenya, and Emma Bubola from London.

Devastating floods that have killed hundreds of people and displaced tens of thousands more in East Africa are now inundating parts of the Masai Mara, one of Africa's greatest wildlife national reserves.

On Wednesday, the Telek River broke its banks and overflowed into parts of the natural reserve, flooding many tourist camps. A spokesman for the Kenyan Red Cross, Munir Ahmed, said that more than 90 people have been evacuated, some by helicopter. Others fled through the water.

"The situation in Masai Mara is so bad," said Daniel Ikayo, the owner of a safari company that operates there. "There is water everywhere."

The floods in the reserve have added to the heavy damage to key economic resources in Kenya, including livestock, crops and infrastructure.

"We are seeing a disaster unfold," said Bryan Adkins, who heads a trust that helps protect the Kijabe forest, which has also been decimated by the floods.

Only part of Masai Mara has been affected, said Mohammed Hersi, director of a safari company and the former chairman of the Kenya tourism federation. But Alfred Mutua, the country's tourism minister, warned on Wednesday that all hotels and camps near rivers and within national parks and reserves should prepare for potential evacuation in case rivers overflow.

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