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"One of the World's biggest spectacles". Many
have so described it. Many have come back time and again.
They have witnessed this mass movement of wild animals roaming
free through unspoiled and savage
wilderness. The air fills with the click- click of the cameras
tirelessly. You have not seen something like this before.
Africa is changing at a quick pace and human encroachment into
the wildlife reserves has continued
to erase the traditional routes. In association with development
and changes of the way of life, the
image of wildlife roaming free is slowly getting erased.
Fortunately, Masai Mara National reserve
holds on to its charisma of an open, limitless land. It is one
of the places in Africa that still prides in
wildlife concentration.
Masai Mara is located in the South-western of Kenya, 290
kilometers from Nairobi. The abundance of wildlife and the
remoteness of the reserve implants memories that no money can
buy.
The Migration is a recent phenomenon (60's and 70's was the
biggest boom) with about 250,000
individuals. Gradually, with time the number has risen to the
current population of over 3,000,000
individuals. Add to it an estimated 1,500,000 Zebras and the
result is one of the most magnificent scenes in the world. The
massive display attracts hundreds of big cats as the populations
provide abundant prey. The giant African crocodiles lie in wait,
patiently, as the big herds come to cross the river or to drink.
It is the masai community who are not so pleased with the whole
phenomenon. The wildebeests compete with their huge herds of
boran cattle for the grasslands. To them, it is a big calamity
especially because the wildebeests transmit diseases to their
herds and poison the waters with their fetal sacs.
This world famous migration is a circle of life which, in simple
terms, means that there isn't a
start or an end. Only where the herds are located at a
particular time. The big determinant is the
availability of pastures. The plains of Ngorongoro Conservation
Area in Serengeti are a favored spot
as grass abounds and the wildebeest find a safe place to graze.
It is also here that over 500,000 new
calves are born and many are taken by the nearby waiting Jackals
or Hyenas.
New borns have little time to strengthen their legs. As soon
after birth, the “pilgrim" continues.
By April, the rains are over in southern Serengeti and the
plains have dried up. The great herds then
gather and face the long march northwards and westwards. The
natural lawn mowers abandon
the exhausted grasslands of southern Serengeti to head for the
already tall grass of the Western
corridor, near the shores of Lake Victoria.
The pioneers of the migration movement are the majestic herds of
zebras. They prefer the long
stems of the coarse grass. This way, they leave behind shorter
grass which is favored by the wildebeests.
In late June to July the mass start pouring into the Kenya Masai
Mara reserve where fresh, tender
and mineral-rich grass is already waiting. Here they meet the
resident Mara populations which
add up to about 150,000. Also commonly referred to as the Loita
plains herds, they spend most of the season northeast of the
Mara. When it gets dry, they pour into the interior of the Mara
in search of greener pastures.
The migrating herds spend roughly 3 to 31/2 months in the Mara
crossing through Sand River, which is a tributary of the Mara
along the boundary of Kenya and Tanzania. They trek westwards
and cross the Mara river and sometimes the Talek river. Usually
around this time heavy rains on the Mau Escarpment (origin of
Mara River) fill the Mara river to the brim.
This is a good time to watch the trunk-looking Crocodiles, while
they await the forthcoming feast.
Finally, the gnus (wildebeests) venture into the river. This
gregarious coordinated behavior of the herds, usually teamed
with zebras, creates an unimaginable scene. Just what the
cameras have been waiting for.
They wander along the river looking for a convenient crossing
point. This is a moment
filled with tension for both the gnus(wildebeests) and the
audience.
They survey for a less steep and with no obvious danger.
Finally, one takes courage and plunges
into the river and magically the rest falls onto the footsteps
and in one organized line cross the river.
In addition to the crocodiles, accidents also occur. The river’s
current can be too strong for some especially the young ones. Or
simply getting stuck between the rocks in the river and breaking
limbs, a direct ticket to the jaws of the giant crocodiles.
Finally, the crossing is done and the trek to their unknown (or
known)destiny continues.
In the month of October, they are already heading to Serengeti
where the rains have treated the southern grasslands to lush,
green carpet of rich grass. Once again, they are heading to the
southern plains, where a new generation will be born to start
the cycle of life all over again.
Vacations in Kenya
Mt Kenya
Mount Kilimanjaro
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