Loliondo: Tourists visiting the Masai Mara and Serengeti national parks, situated in Kenya and Tanzania respectively, can now enjoy free lavatory services in a remote village along their 115.7 km journey. This initiative was introduced by a soapstone dealer, Daniel Apepo, to attract tourists and boost his soapstone artefact sales.
According to Kenya News Agency, Apepo established the premises four months ago in the little-known Loliondo village, located in Lolgorian ward in Narok County. His business, Kisii Soapstone Art and Craft (KISAC), aims to capitalize on tourists' stopovers by strategically displaying artefacts along the path to the lavatories. Apepo's vision was inspired by the influx of local and international tourists visiting the area during the annual migration of wildebeests, zebras, and antelopes.
Apepo identified the location as an ideal spot for offering these services, predicting that tourists would require a break after covering long distances. The business has shown promising growth even before the end of the peak tourist season from August to December, when the migration spectacle occurs. Apepo has called on the government to improve infrastructure, including tarmacking the road to Kehancha and supplying last-mile electrification, to better serve tourists and traders.
Apepo also highlighted the challenge posed by the Masurura bridge, which becomes impassable during rainy seasons, forcing tourists to take a longer alternative route. Despite these challenges, Apepo is optimistic about the future, with 30-40 Landcruisers stopping daily at the site, bringing tourists from various regions including China, Asia, Europe, and America.
He has plans to establish a production factory that incorporates local Maasai culture through beadwork and traditional dances. The site employs 12 local community members and has the potential to grow, with tourists spending approximately $40 a day, in addition to camping services offered.
Apepo also faces challenges such as water scarcity, requiring him to purchase over 10,000 liters weekly from vendors. Tourists like Bradley and Sarah Hartsell from Tennessee, USA, have expressed their appreciation for the locals' rich culture and the Mara landscape. Tour guide Dominic Wangu and tourist Narasimha Reddy Mudupu have both urged the government to improve road networks to facilitate business and ease travel.
President Dr. William Ruto recently emphasized the importance of the Masai Mara, which attracts over 400,000 visitors annually, to Kenya's tourism industry. The wild beast migration between the Masai Mara and Serengeti is a significant draw, underscoring the reserve's role in tourism revenue and conservation efforts.