When Kenya reopened its borders for international tourists on August 1, the annual Great Migration was in progress, having begun in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and culminating in Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve. Every year in the dry season between July and October, as part of the world’s largest wildlife migration, about 2 million wildebeest, accompanied by thousands of zebra, eland and gazelle, make the arduous journey in that direction, returning to Tanzania in early October. It is one of the top experiences in the African bucket list for many travellers.

But one of nature’s most spectacular sights went largely unwatched this year as the effects of the coronavirus pandemic are felt as far as the continent’s wilderness. Travel restrictions kept tourists away for the annual wildlife migration in Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve and only a handful of guides and park wardens were there to watch thousands of wildebeest antelopes make their famous trek in search of new grazing pastures.

Although the absence of tourists makes little difference to the giant herd of animals, it’s a serious problem for the park, the local government and the surrounding community.“Covid-19 has really affected so many operations for us here in the reserve in the sense that the revenue, the funds, that the county government was collecting from Maasai Mara National Reserve has gone to zero,” said chief warden James Sindiyo.

The effect for the people who live on the edge of the park and who rely on tourism is also significant. KadeleKasare, one of the local Maasai people, said they depend on the money they earn from visitors. ‘‘The biggest problem is food,’’ he said. ‘‘We are not getting enough food and at times when there is no money from the tourists, we sell our cows and other livestock. But now even the market has been closed. So, we are facing a lot of difficulties,” he added.