The animal migration continues in the Maasai Mara, but the pandemic has made it difficult for many to witness the spectacle firsthand.

For Nadutari Tingisha, crafting beaded jewelry is not just a profession—it's a tradition she's always known. "Beading is a part of our upbringing, and it's something we'll never abandon," she shares.

She usually spends her days selling her handcrafted jewelry to tourists who visit Kenya’s Maasai Mara to experience its famous safaris. Unfortunately, this year, the number of potential buyers has been much lower than usual.

Every year from June to December, East Africa witnesses one of the largest and most enduring wildlife migrations. Over two million wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, and other species travel from the Serengeti into Kenya’s Maasai Mara in search of fresh grazing grounds.

Known as the Great Migration, this incredible journey spans between 800 and 1,600 kilometers, with wildebeest herds often stretching up to 40 kilometers long.

In the past, Kenya’s peak tourist season ran from June to October, when visitors came to witness the migration. However, prolonged travel restrictions due to the pandemic have severely impacted the country’s tourism industry.

August is usually one of the busiest months for tourism, accounting for around 10% of Kenya’s annual arrivals, or roughly 250,000 visitors, according to Najib Balala, Kenya’s Minister of Tourism and Wildlife. Following the suspension of international flights in March due to COVID-19, flights resumed on August 1, but only around 15,000 tourists arrived that month. This sharp decline in tourism has put 2.5 million jobs in the sector at risk.

A significant portion of these jobs are held by the Maasai people, renowned globally for their vibrant culture and traditional dress. The Maasai also own vast stretches of land within the Maasai Mara, often leasing it to conservancies that manage game reserves and safari operations.

Although COVID-19 infection and death rates in Kenya remain relatively low, the country’s tourism sector is expected to face continued challenges until early 2022.

In response to the downturn in tourism, the Maasai are diversifying their means of livelihood. Along with growing their own food, they are also producing local hand sanitizers and soaps to sell across Kenya. Nelson Reiya, co-founder of the Nashulai Maasai Conservancy, mentions that construction of a mechanized production facility is underway and should be operational by year-end.