|
|
| Things
To Do... |
 |
Kenya
Visa
Requirements, Things To Do, When
To Go Masai mara, What To Wear, mombasa, Lamu, Masai
Mara, Amboseli, Balloon Safaris, Mount
kenya Climbing, mara Climate weather Nakuru National Park |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Wildebeest
Migration
The Wildebeest Migration is a dramatic
story. It takes place within Kenya and Tanzania and is the greatest
wildlife show on earth. Between the open plains of the Serengeti and
the Masai Mara, thousands of wildebeest and zebras migrate to greener
pastures as the seasons change and the circle of life and death
continues.
Predators follow the Wildebeest Migration closely, waiting
for an opportunity to strike weak prey as they make their way into
different territories.
The precise timing of the Wildebeest Migration changes annually and it
is a very unpredictable and spontaneous natural event. The calving
season takes place in the Serengeti between the months of January and
mid-March before the Wildebeest Migration begins heading towards the
western Serengeti in June.
Here is
a complete breakdown of the months and events:
November: Once the southern Serengeti's short rains have
fallen,
thousands of large mammals travel fast, heads down and hooves stomping,
to the Serengeti's southern plains and the Ngorongoro Highlands.
December
through March:
The southern section of the Serengeti national park is where all the action plays out
during this time. This is when the game animals give birth to their
young and start preparing for the northern trek. Over 8,000 calves are
born on each day of the calving season; yet less than half will live to
see their five-month birthday. Predators like the Serengeti lions and
cheetah pick and choose from the thousands of potential victims.
April:
The
adults and surviving young shift their attention to the central areas
of the park, moving towards the Serengeti's western corridor. This
funnel-shaped piece of land runs from the Central Serengeti in a
western direction to the park boundary near Lake Victoria's shore.
June:
Arriving at the corridor around June, the millions of grazers are
forced to cross the Grumeti River. There's usually an unpredictable
waiting period of one to two weeks as the animals prepare for the
life-threatening crossing. Ironically, it is usually the first animals
that attempt to cross that are taken by the Grumeti crocodiles -
supersized predators that feast as the long train of wildlife tries to
cross.
July:
From
here attention shifts north as the migration enters the private Grumeti
Reserve, with a small portion splitting off and heading northeast, to
the Lobo area.
June to
August:
This is usually the best time to see the migration. In August the
migration reaches the far northern area. There are a few excellent
camps in this area from which you can witness this natural phenomenon.
Mid-August
to early November:
The animals cross the Sand River and head into the Masai Mara. They
will stay in the Masai Mara where water is always available, until the
November rains in the south Serengeti beckon once again and the cycle
begins anew in November.
The best time to see the migration is
usually between June and August when the wildebeest congregate and
prepare to cross the famous Grumeti River. There are a few excellent
camps in this area where you can stay to witness this natural
phenomenon.
If you are in the Masai Mara you can expect the wildebeest
to make their arrival as early as July, but they generally arrive
between August and September and remain in the Mara between October and
November. Between December and January the wildebeest gradually begin
their migration back towards the Serengeti.
If you are looking to catch the migration talk to us today.
|
|
Set in the heart
of the
reserve, on a hill overlooking the undulating Mara plains, few other
Masai Mara lodges have views as commanding as the Serena's
and is a great place to be staying during the migration season.
|
|
|
|
