Kenya: Tourist Vans Ambushed in Maasai Mara

No Comments | August 30th, 2005 | Trackback

A gang of seven bandits armed with a rifle, clubs and machetes ambushed two safari vans in the Maasai Mara game reserve Aug. 22 and robbed five Japanese, two South African and two American tourists as they returned to their lodges after a late-afternoon game drive. Two of the Japanese were injured, one seriously. Authorities sent officers from a paramilitary wing of the Kenyan police as well as park rangers and regular police to track down the bandits. Within days two were arrested and arraigned. Some of the tourists� possessions were recovered and police continued hunting for additional suspects. The attack followed a similar attack earlier in August at Samburu National Park north of Nairobi. The attack in Maasai Mara came during the annual wildebeest migration, the peak period for game viewing and one of Kenya�s prime tourist attractions.