And the migration is back!

On Friday we woke up to the news that the wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara were back!

In a rare and dramatic shift, the wildebeest and zebra herds are reported to be back from northern Serengeti where they had moved to following some mid-season rains in October. The herds had presumed the time to relocate to the Serengeti had come, but local rains in the Mara ecosystem have changed that. The plains are now greened with fresh grass and luscious shots and it is our assumption that if the weather continues like this, there is a likelihood of wildebeest giving birth in the Mara like it was the case in 1998.

So...if you had planned to see the migration but somehow you got caught and never got to witness it, nature might just be giving you a second chance this year or perhaps the animals heard Kenya were celebrating their golden jubilee since independence and decided to stay over for the party?! Hahahaha.....

Reports coming from the Mara indicate that the wildebeest are moving north of Mara Intrepids Camp through the Olare Orok Conservancy and across Posse Plain down to Sand River. The wildebeest and zebras are said to be everywhere, with crocodiles and other predators already enjoying their early Christmas feast! 

For Masai Mara bookings, contact us. 

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.

The Masai Mara Migration

The wildebeest migration is still in the Masai Mara in huge numbers. Last weekend the herds were concentrated between Observation Hill and the junction of the Mara and Talek rivers, moving westwards. There is good opportunity to see the predators, and the huge crocodile as well. 

It is a great time to take the opportunity of flying down for a couple of nights. There are lodges that have space, right in the heart of the action.Just ask us!

Here comes the Wildebeest Migration!

Masai Mara is arguably the world's most known game reserve, with numerous implausible wildlife documentaries filmed there, such as the Big Cat Diary or movies such as the most recently filmed Disney African Cats. Masai Mara is also known as a top choice holiday destination for anyone wanting to spend their holidays in Kenya, especially after the game reserve was named a world wonder due to its astonishing annual Wildebeest Migration!

Each year thousands and thousands of Wildebeest cross the Mara river into the Mara game reserve, from Tanzania's Serengeti park. This makes for a spectacular experience, nicknamed the "greatest show on earth" and is a must see for anyone on an east Africa safari.  The herds enter the Mara from the west and gather on the plains for a few months until the rains break on the southern plains of the Serengeti in December, when they return south.

The exceptional game viewing, the short grass, the huge lion population are all among the many contributory factors that make the Masai Mara in Kenya such a popular East Africa safari destination that entices people from all over the world to visit Kenya and witness this astounding "show"!  

Each year the migration creates a buzz with lodges and camps all located in the park keeping everyone abreast of where the wildebeest are and where they are moving. This creates excitement that undoubtedly reminds me of a wedding scenario, where the wildebeest replace the bride and all we hear is people echoing; Here comes the migration!