The Kenyan government plans to ban minibuses from transporting tourists inside national parks and game reserves.

According to Tourism Director, Said Athman, the switch from minibuses to specialised vehicles is part of Kenya’s efforts to improve its safari product and allow wildlife enthusiasts to have enjoyable game viewing.

In 2010, the Government reached an agreement with tour companies that they would forego mini-buses for land-cruiser vehicles for safari tourists. However, the regulation didn’t take effect after tour operators demanded to be given more time to buy the vehicles.

The other challenge was that some unscrupulous tour operators were using public service vehicles, popularly known as matatus, for ferrying tourists to the parks for game drives.

Athman urged tour companies to adhere to the use of specialised safari vehicles to give their clients quality service. “The use of land-cruisers is more convenient, as they can easily move through muddy roads compared with minibuses.”

He noted that other safari destinations in Africa used specialised vehicles for safaris and called on the local tour firms to follow this example. In a move to discourage the use of minibuses for safaris, Athman said the Tourism Regulatory Authority would no longer issue licences to the vehicles, adding that tour operators had been given ample time to buy specialised vehicles.