Smile To Africa Adventure

Kenya Luxury Safari | Safari in Kenya | Masai Mara Migration Safari

July to August the mass wildebeest migration 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.
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n Kenya’s south-western reaches is the famous Masai Mara, the stage where in conjunction with Tanzania’s Serengeti the most spectacular show on earth is played out on the rolling plains; the great migration.

In early July the first wildebeest have reached the Mara River after exhausting the grasses of the Serengeti. The Wildebeest then are set to brave the crocodiles that have lay in wait for them as they cross over into Kenya’s Masai Mara National Park. Not all of the herd cross the river - some remain in the Serengeti. Of those that make the crossing, many, as if tempting fate, re-cross again with no apparent reason. But the majority of the wildebeest, zebra and gazelle will reside in the Mara until October time when they start to think of heading back.

The infamous crossing of the Mara River by large numbers of the migrating herds is elusive, rapid and unforgettable. Staying at a camp near to the Mara River during this spectacular event is unforgettable. The wildebeest almost show a fear of the river, it is clear that they are aware a danger lurks beneath the surface, often you will find them milling around and hanging back contentedly. But when they feel the time is right a sudden chaos breaks out, clambering legs kick out everywhere as they stamp down the banks and across to the other side en masse as there is undoubtedly safety in numbers.

The Maasai Mara is a superb location for unforgettable game drives, insightful walks with Maasai guides and hot air ballooning for a bird’s eye view of this fantastic park.

The Masai Mara National Reserve is one of Africa’s most well known attractions, conjuring up the traditional images of what is a safari. The abundant predators here are lions which can be seen daily on your game drives with the other members of the Big Five encountered around every corner.

The Mara River is a permanent water source for the reserve’s wild life and so even when the last stragglers cross the river to join the main migration throng in the Serengeti there are still large herds that remain in the Mara, making the reserve a year round safari destination.

The Mara offers a diversity of accommodation styles as well as wildlife. There are the large lodges that introduce many to safaris in the main areas of the park and then there are the small, exclusive tented camps, taking just ten or twelve guests at a time and offering a personal touch that makes your safari very special indeed, it is this type of experience that we would suggest for you.

MAASAI MARA SERENGETI WILDEBEEST MIGRATION SAFARI

"The seventh greatest wonder in the world". It is now officially known through out the world. 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. Maasai Mara Wildebeest Migration Safari From Serengeti