Behind The Viral Video: How Safari Vehicles Endangered The Great Migration In Serengeti

Forbes

6 days ago

Tourists are taking photos during the Great Migration at the Kogatende crossing point on the Mara ... More River in the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania on July 21.
"I have seen over 100 crossings during my 16 years of guiding, but I have never seen anything like this. I was visibly shaking," said Nick Kleer, a wildlife guide who posted a video on Instagram showing countless safari vehicles disrupting the Great Migration at the Kogatende crossing point on the Mara River.
Each year in July and August, thousands of tourists flock to Tanzania to witness one of nature's most dramatic spectacles: the high-stakes wildebeest crossing of the Mara River. At one time, Kleer counted over 150 vehicles driving towards the Kogatende crossing.
So what exactly happened on July 21 in Serengeti National Park that left safari guide Nick Kleer deeply unsettled? How did the sheer number of safari vehicles and the behavior of both guides and tourists not only jeopardize the safety of wildlife but also put human lives at risk? I interviewed Nick Kleer via a video call to ask him directly.
What Happened Was Not Only Outrageous But Also Dangerous
Visiting Serengeti National Park has specific rules that should be clear to everyone who guides groups there, but also to those who visit the park.
The most relevant ones in this case include the requirement for vehicles to stay on authorized tracks and refrain from disturbing or harassing wildlife. It is strictly prohibited for visitors to exit the vehicle within 200 meters (656 feet) of any wild animal, except in designated areas. Also, drivers should not approach animals closer than 25 meters (82 feet).
However, on July 21, Kleer witnessed the opposite. He saw how all the above rules were broken.
Safari vehicles and people obstructing the path of the Great Migration at the Kogatende crossing ... More point on the Mara River in the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.
He told me in the interview that the pathway to the river crossing is very narrow. Clear markers show the location where vehicles should stop to keep their distance from the animals. But that is not what happened. And he saw everything from the other side of the river.
"There were too many vehicles too close to the animals. They went beyond the markers. Many tourists were out of the jeeps watching the crossing, taking photos, laughing and chatting. I was furious. I kept shouting to stop and go back to the jeeps. But nobody listened and nobody cared," he said.
Kleer asked the question, 'What would have happened if these tourists had run into a pride of lions? Because they could have since lions come here to hunt. I don't think I want to come back here during peak season ever again. I wouldn't want to see this again, or worse.'
Tour Companies Obstructing The Riverbank Could Be Identified
Safari vehicles with Leopard Tours and Nomad Tanzania stickers are at the Kogatende crossing point ... More on the Mara River in the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania on July 21.
Based on the photos he took, Kleer identified at least four tour companies whose names were visible on the sides of the jeeps: Tanzania Specialist, &Beyond, Nomad Tanzania and Leopard Tours.
I contacted all four companies for comment, and two responded.
Joss Kent, executive chairman and CEO of &Beyond, released a statement via The African Travel and Tourism Association (ATTA).
In the statement, he shared what happened at the crossing after the &Beyond jeep arrived with guests around 09:35 a.m. on July 21, 2025, and parked in a designated area roughly 7 meters (23 feet) from a known river access slope, without obstructing wildlife or other vehicles.
Within the hour, a surge of additional safari vehicles overwhelmed the site, blocking escape routes and disrupting the natural movement of the migrating herd. As a result, & Beyond's vehicle became trapped and unable to retreat due to thick bush, steep terrain, and congestion caused by the surrounding traffic.
"Our vehicle remained stationary and boxed in by surrounding vehicles and terrain, unable to leave the sighting. Throughout the entire encounter, neither our guide nor any guests exited the vehicle," said Kent in the statement.
Kleer also said during our interview that both &Beyond and Nomad Tanzania reached out to him after watching his video, taking what happened seriously and acknowledging the disruption they were also part of.
Safari vehicles with Tanzania Specialist stickers are at the Kogatende crossing point on the Mara ... More River in the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania on July 21.
The response from Tanzania Specialist came from a generic team email, with no individual representative identified, and included the following statement:
'We have conducted a thorough internal investigation to understand exactly what happened and who was involved, to make sure that those at fault own and learn from their actions, but also that nobody is accused unfairly. After getting feedback from the head of our guides, who happened to be onsite, it seems that even though some of our vehicles appeared front row, our company guides tried to avoid this situation. None of our vehicles dropped off any guests in the mentioned area.'
When I asked Kleer about them, he recalled, 'We bumped into one of the Tanzania Specialist vehicles on our way. The driver asked my driver in Swahili where the river was and how to reach the crossing. He seemed untrained and unprofessional which is a dangerous combination.'
TANAPA Vows Disciplinary Action
Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) also released a statement the next day via ATTA. Catherine Mbena, assistant conservation commissioner, said that 'TANAPA has already identified all vehicles involved in the particular breach of park regulations and strict disciplinary measures will be taken against the driver guides operating those tourist vehicles.'
I reached out to Catherine Mbena for further comments, including what type of disciplinary measures were taken and which companies were identified. Still, I have not received a reply as of today.
When I showed Kleer the statement, he said, 'Guides are not paid enough. If a tour company allows guides to do this for the extra tips, they should take the biggest hit and not the guides. The companies are the ones profiting from these migrations.'
A huge group of animals (wildebeest) exiting the Mara River in Tanzania during the annual wildebeest ... More migration.
"The migration is dramatic and chaotic. The noise of thousands of wildebeest is incomparable to anything else," said Kleer. 'However, it is also dangerous if thousands of people behave horribly. And there should be no excuse for the behavior I witnessed."
"What happened on July 21 has been building up for years. One day, the bank will collapse, or a visitor will get hurt. It is not a question of if, but when," he added.
Kleer was also confident that if tourists knew both the rules and the risks, 99% of them would behave responsibly.
What Needs To Change Before It Happens Again
When asked how the situation should be addressed, Kleer emphasized the need to increase the number of rangers.
He also advocated for stricter penalties, such as banning drivers who violate any rules from the park, and suggested higher parking fees to avoid similar incidents.
"In Kenya, for example, the introduction of significantly higher park fees and stricter vehicle regulations in the Maasai Mara last year was, in part, an attempt to curb exactly this type of challenge," said Ryan Powell, chief operating officer at &Beyond.
"With the migration now heading into Kenya, it remains to be seen whether those measures will have the intended impact," Powell added.
As the Great Migration continues to draw global attention, so does the responsibility of those who come to witness it. Understanding the rules, respecting wildlife and demanding better from the industry are no longer optional.
Tourists must ask themselves: Are we contributing to the preservation of this extraordinary ecosystem, or to its unraveling? Do we know what ethical, responsible safari behavior looks like? Will we hold ourselves and our guides accountable?
Africa is vast, with endless alternatives for experiencing its wildlife, natural wonders, and rich cultural heritage without contributing to overtourism or harming fragile ecosystems.