By Lucy Jemeli
A family of four, who went missing in Tsavo East National Park over the weekend, has been found safe after a 24-hour search operation. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) confirmed in a statement on Tuesday that the family, consisting of a couple and their two children, was located near Kabaguchi Ranger Camp on the Yatta Plateau, approximately 50 kilometers north of their planned route.
The rescue was made possible by a Tsavo Trust pilot who spotted the family in the remote area. The pilot, identified as Haller, immediately landed his helicopter to assess the situation. "All four individuals were unharmed and in good health," the KWS statement read, adding that ground teams from both KWS and Tsavo Trust were working together to facilitate their safe extraction.
The family had entered the park on Saturday at 5:40 PM through the Manyani Gate, with plans to camp at Luggards Falls Special Campsite for two nights and exit via the Sala Gate by Monday evening. However, when they failed to check out by the 8:00 PM deadline on Monday, park authorities launched an immediate search operation.
KWS believes the family may have taken an unauthorized deviation from their planned route while on a game drive using their vehicle. Despite being off-track, the family’s decision to stay with their vehicle played a crucial role in their timely rescue.
Currently undergoing routine medical evaluations, the family will soon be reunited with their loved ones. KWS has also indicated that further investigations will be conducted to gather additional details surrounding the incident.
KWS commended the efforts of the rescue teams involved, emphasizing its ongoing commitment to ensuring that all emergency response protocols are fully adhered to in the future.
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