Thursday, July 19, 2012

The Wildebeest Migration is here......


As early as yesterday, we have received reports from our friends in the Maasai Mara that the long awaited Wildebeest Migration has finally started! This means that the annual dubbed world wonder is on for our viewing coming across from the Serengeti, in Tanzania! For some of us, we have probably heard of the great migration or watched of it in documentaries and wildlife movies, however the question remains.....what exactly happens in this migration that makes it so spectacular?


The wildebeest migration takes place over a wide area across Kenya’s Masai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park.  These parks are one continuous ecosystem divided by an invisible man-made border. Even though the migration is termed as the wildebeest migration in reality the move constitutes of approximately 2 million wildebeest and thousands of zebras and gazelles forming one super herd.   Zebra are often found together with wildebeest as the zebra tend to feed on long tough grass stems preparing them for the broad muzzle of the wildebeest, more suited to close short grasses.  

The animals migrate to follow the rains in search of lush new grass, with the wildebeest spending the wet season on the plains in the south-east, and the dry season in the woodlands of the north-west.  The 800 km pilgrimage is an ongoing cycle of movement and dispersal that is not continually in forward motion.  The wildebeest need to drink daily and their movement is very much dominated by the accessibility of water and they seem to have a sixth sense in following the storms.


This epic journey has no real beginning or end. The life of a wildebeest is an endless pilgrimage, a constant search for food and water and it doesn’t come without its perils, each year over 250,000 wildebeest will die as a result of injury, exhaustion or predation.

The river crossing at the Grumeti and Mara Rivers has been well documented by film makers and photographers, who have captured the “no other choice” suicidal plunge where the wildebeest are forced to plunge into the crocodile infested waters often drowning in thousands!

It is an unusual safari, that has left millions in awe trying to understand it, but until today remains one of the world wonders of nature and wildlife!

For where to stay in the Masai Mara click here.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

The Camel Derby



When we think of Samburu Game Reserve, our minds tend to think of the hot and arid fringes of Kenya's vast Northern Frontier District that covers an area of 104 square kms on the northern bank of Ewaso Nyiro River. An area that is home to the Samburu tribe, pastoral relatives of the Maasai people. A landscape that is rugged and dramatic - against a backdrop of volcanic mountains, gaunt hills and withered scrub tree punctuate the sparse and dry terrain with clusters of the incredibly hardy desert rose providing the occasional flash of vivid colour. We tend to imagine ourselves on game drives or relaxing in the amazing safari lodges that are present in the Samburu. What we do not tend to think is......  A Camel Derby!

Samburu Maralal International Camel Derby:

The Samburu Maralal International Camel Derby (SMICD) is an annual event held in August of every year at Yare Camel Camp in Maralal town, Samburu County.  Yare Camel Camp is in the northern region Kenya at the heart of the nomadic pastoralist Samburu people who are related to the Maasai. 

The event has been on-going for 23 years and was initiated by the late Malcom Gascoigne who was the proprietor of Yare Camel Camp. It draws participants from all over the world- Australia, New Zealand, America, Canada, England, France, Spain, Japan, China, Mexico, Sweden, Holland, Italy,  South Africa  and many other countries. 

Creating the perfect blend of culture, adventure and action, the finest camels of Kenya are gathered in a display of competition and sportsmanship.

The event details:
The dates for this year’s event are 21st August – 26th August, 2012. Entrants register for participation. Camels are available for hire and come with saddles and handlers. All camels are given a vet-check by the official vet officers. The camels are rendered tick free 4 days prior to the event.  The prizes consist of Cash, Trophies and Certificates. Sponsors are also recognized and appreciated for sponsoring various events.

For event details courtesy of :  http://www.yarecamelcamp.co.ke/Programme.php
For lodge and camp bookings contact us: info@letsgosafari.com