KENYA MIGRATION SAFARIS
Kenya is a country in East Africa with its capital Nairobi. It has a population of approximately 47.6 million people and offers her visitors with one of the finest landscapes and unique wildlife species. Kenya is very well known for diverse wildlife hosting over 25 national parks, but most famously Masai Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo, Hell’s gate, Meru, Lake Nakuru, Samburu national park among others.
Kenya as well has got attractive and stunning savannah, riverine forests and eye catching landscape. Being home to the big five mammals – lion, elephant, leopards, rhinos and buffalo makes it interesting for one to visit Kenya at least once in their life time.
THE FAMOUS WILDEBEEST MIGRATION IN KENYA
The great wildebeest migration is one of the seven wonders of the world and an extraordinary spectacle in the world. This migration refers to the movement of millions and thousands of animals across Serengeti – Masai Mara eco system. The continuous movement of columns of wildebeests follow an age old route in search of fresh pasture and water. They continue to move through Serengeti in a clockwise direction to Masai Mara in Kenya. There’s always drama along the way as thousands of animals are eaten by predators and yet others are being born filling up and maintaining the cycle of life.
Every year, approximately 2 million animals move in a clockwise direction across the eco systems of Serengeti national game park in Tanzania and the Masai Mara national reserve in Kenya. The wildebeest migration also includes vast herds of zebras, gazelles and other animals that move across Kenya and Tanzania. This migration is distinguished for being one of best visually stunning and breathtaking spectacles.
WHEN DOES THE MIGRATION HAPPEN?
January and February: this time of the year is when wildebeests gather by the flocks in south of Serengeti where they give birth to their calves. This season is usually known as the “calving season”.
March: This month is known as the hunting session since the congregation of animals is targeted by lions, leopards and cheetahs plus other predators.
April and May: This period is when the Serengeti pasture dries up and the migration starts to move towards the Grumeti river.
June and July: Following their movement to Grumeti river, the migration is faced with some challenges while crossing towards the Masai Mara. This makes it the most exciting time of the year for one to see the wildebeest migration.
August and September: Here, the herds have crossed Grumeti river and are enroute to Masai Mara giving it best views for one to watch.
October: this is the time when herds cross the Masai river into the grasslands where they graze and continue to move towards Serengeti national park in the north looking for fresh grass.
November and December: during this period, the migration decides to remain in the central Serengeti till they go back to the southern part of Serengeti for calving.
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT KENYA WILDEBEEST MIGRATION.
This being one of the breathtaking experiences in the world that involves the largest and concentrated movement of wildlife travelling approximately 800Km on an annual journey should be on everyone’s bucket list. Here, one is able to view hundreds and thousands of zebras, grant’s gazelles, elands, impalas as they join 1.5 million wildebeests in the mighty movement. This migration gives one of the most exciting experiences especially during the birthing season and the prominent crossing of Grumeti river that involves hyenas, lions, leopards and other predators till the migration crosses the Masai river infested with crocodiles till they reach Masai Mara reserve in Kenya.
This is a once in a lifetime experience that one gets to enjoy because it doesn’t happen every day. Visitors get the opportunity to witness a survival struggle for life especially on the part where the wildebeests are crossing the iconic rivers – Mara and Grumeti.
The fact that the migration takes place in one of the most scenic and stunning national parks of Tanzania and Kenya, it enriches travelers with the best photographic opportunities. Travelers are rewarded with a chance beyond the wildebeest migration.
Did you know that the migration happens and can be seen only in East Africa?
WHY THE MIGRATION HAPPENS?
The cyclical migration between Serengeti in Tanzania and Masai Mara in Kenya, following the rainy season in Serengeti and dry season in Kenya. The journey is full of uncertainties following various attacks by unsuspecting predators at every angle, especially crocodiles and the hungry and furious lions.
Wildebeests follow availability of pasture and the rains. During January and March season, the migration moves southeast of Serengeti where they start to birth. As the rains decrease, the herds start to move from Serengeti between April and make their way Northwards to the grasslands of Masai Mara in Kenya.
On reaching the lush and sprawling plain lands of Masai Mara, these animals will cross the iconic rivers that are filled with hungry crocodiles. The panic sometimes also causes clashes and deaths. But when they have crossed the river, Masai Mara in Kenya becomes their new habitat until December when the rains come again in Serengeti and the migration cycle commences again.
