Welcome to the world famous Masai Mara of Kenya, recently designated
as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World by the USA ABC television
show, “Good Morning America”. Nowhere else in Africa may
you find such an abundance of year round wildlife, and nowhere else
may you play witness to the spectacle of the Great Migration. Watch
as over two million Wildebeest, Zebra, and Thomson’s Gazelle
brave the waters of the Mara River - and her gauntlet of crocodiles
- with but one unflinching resolve: to reach the lush plains of the
Masai Mara at any and all cost.
January to July
During this period the animals congregate in the south of the Serengeti.
The wildebeest calf and exercise the young, under the watchful eye
of the predators’. The rains should fall in April/May and then
the migration towards the north begins. In June, they should reach
the northern areas and in July they ready for the crossing into the
Masai Mara
July to October
The first animals start arriving in July, massing at shallow river
crossings. The crossings take place continually through the period
as the wildebeest move backwards & forwards over the plains. Throughout
August and September one can see masses on the plains. Then, during
October they start the return journey to Tanzania and the fresh new
grass that greets the November rain.
The steep banks are populated with trunk-looking basking crocodiles
that seem almost to be expecting their annual banquet. The operation
of fording the river is the most delicate along the migration, and
as such seems to plunge the gnus in a state of anxiety that only relieves
when the whole herd has crossed. The trekkers walk along the left (eastern)
bank of the Mara looking for a suitable point to cross. There are plenty
of preferred crossings along the course, which are easily identifiable
by the lack of vegetation, the depressed slopes and the deep grooves
carved by the animals' hooves. These are the most secure places to
ford the river, those that ensure a minimal mortality. Nonetheless,
the apparent programming of the whole process sometimes seems to collapse,
and the nervous herds occasionally choose places where the banks are
too steep and many of the animals break their legs down the cliff or
fall flat into the waters. The herds gather at the suitable points
and wander around nervously, their grunts sounding loud in the air.
Eventually, one animal takes the lead and approaches the rim, scanning
the opposite edge to analyze if any danger awaits after the crossing.
When it finally dives into the stream, this seems to haul the rest
of the herd. More animals follow in a single line across the river,
while the lagged ones throw themselves towards the stream until the
rearguard pushes the troops to a frantic race that ends up with some
animals trampled to death, lying aside the course. Along the boreal
summer, the crossings repeat over and over, and the survivors graze
peacefully on the Mara Triangle grasslands unless disturbed by the
early-morning and late-evening hunts of lion and cheetah, the latter
preying on the calves.
By October, the rains are heading south back to the Serengeti. This
is when the pace of the march reverses, bringing the herds to face
once more the quest for the southern grasslands. The rite of fording
the river is again part of nature's call. In the last days of October,
the migration heads towards the vast plains of the southern Serengeti,
where a new generation of calves will be born to start the cycle of
life all over again. Normally the route is down the eastern side and
the pace is fast. Quite often a million animals can be seen stretched
out.
Masai Mara Migration Safari:
Day 1: Arrival- Nairobi
Today, you arrive at Nairobi, Kenya's vibrant capital city. Met and
assisted. Transfer to your overnight city deluxe hotel, The Stanley
Hotel on bed and breakfast.
Day 2: Nairobi - Masai Mara, Kenya
Depart Nairobi at 07:30am on your 3 night Masai Mara Safari tour through
The Great African Rift Valley and Narok Town. Arrive in time for lunch
at your preferred lodge to include leisure. An afternoon game drive
will follow to explore Hemingways country and Lion, Cheetah, Elephant,
Buffalo and other animals of the same order. Located within the world
famous Maasai
Mara Game Reserve, Sarova Mara Game Camp's 75 tents capture the
true spirit of the Kenyan wild, in Kenya's richest game reserve. Greatly
renown for its annual wildebeest migration, Big Five, Sarova Mara offers
a breathtaking view of the plains aloft a hot air balloon. Dinner and
overnight rest at Sarova Mara Game Camp, L,D.
Day 3 & 4 : Masai Mara, Kenya
This natural wonder of Masai Mara is to be explored now which includes
the extensive plains which include not only the well known predatory
animals but also with Zebra, Wildebeest, Giraffe, Hippo and the dangerous
Crocodiles. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight at Sarova Mara Game
Camp, B,L,D.
Day 5: Masai Mara to Nairobi, Kenya
Early morning game viewing. After breakfast, drive back to Nairobi
to arrive in the afternoon. Lunch at The Carnivore Restaurant. Transfer
to the airport for your flight to the next destination where the tour
ends.
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