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Hello everybody! This post is about Great Migration in Maasai Mara National Reserve.
In my first previous post about our safari in Maasai Mara I told you my general impressions about Mara, so in this post I would like to tell you about the main reason we actually went there which was Great Migration.
Hundreds of thousands people come to Kenya to watch over TWO MILLION Wildebeest, Zebra and Thomson's Gazelle migrate annually. After my witnessing the migration I justify it not to miss.
As in the Serengeti, the wildebeest are the dominant inhabitants of the Maasai Mara, and their numbers are estimated in the millions. Around July of each year, these ungainly animals migrate north from the Serengeti plains in search of fresh pasture, and return to the south around October. The Great Migration is one of the most impressive natural events worldwide, involving some 1,300,000 wildebeest, 500,000 Thomson's gazelles, 97,000 Topi, 18,000 elands, and 200,000 zebras. These migrants are followed along their annual, circular route by hungry predators, most notably lions and hyena.
Aerial view of a herd of Wildebeest following a few leading zebra in Maasai Mara Photo Credit: Wikipedia
First of all I would like to show you our camp, which was not special or something. Actually, during Migration season the prices rise so much it seems that only Bill Gates and alike can afford visiting Mara. That is why we opted to stay in one of hundreds cams situated around Mara. I must admit, I do not even remember the name of our camp.
By and large we very satisfied staying there.
Double tents in the camp
The gate we entered Mara Reserve
Most of the Masai Mara is made up of hilly grassland which is fed by plentiful rain, especially during the wet months between November and June. This is the reason animals migrate from Serengeti (Tanzania) to Mara.
Beautiful Mara scenery
As we entered the Reserve we felt surrounded by WIldebeest and zebras that were everywhere.
To come to Mara from Serengeti (Tanzania), Wildebeest must cross Mara Rive which is on their way. The Mara River runs through the reserve (north to south) hosting plenty of hippos and crocodiles and making the great migration of over a million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebras an extremely dangerous undertaking. Hundreds of animals die while crossing the river. Some die because they break limbs jumping into the river, some end up in predators' mouths.
Maasai Mara, view of Mara river Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Mara River was a great place to see itself. There we watched the biggest number of hippos and crocodiles which I believe does not depend on migration season.
Hippos in Mara River
If one goes to Maasai Mara during the Great Migration, the biggest wish is to see the Wildebeests crossing the Mara River. Unfortunately this time we didn't witness it. Fortunately we have another reason to come back)))
Crocodiles in Mara River
This year migration was the last one for this Wildebeest
On the riverbank we met a school trip
Our camp was on he opposite site from Mara River thus we had to spent all day in the Reserve. We even had lunch there.
Having some rest after a long day in Savannah
Between July and October when the wildebeest and zebra are at their highest number
Safari in Maasai Mara was not our first in Kenya, we had already made a lot before, but I can confirm that it was one of the best. The Great Migration is definitely a wonderful and unforgettable action, for me it was an eye opening experience which I won't forget.
Beautiful sky at dusk
Thank you for reading my blog.
In my next post I will tell you about Mara lions and will show you photos taken from the closest distance.
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