As it is known,annually the Masai Mara Game Reserve is the most sought safari destination in Africa and perhaps worldwide. Some have coined it as the '8th wonder of the world'. Annually, the wildebeest migrate from the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania across the crocodile infested Mara River into the Masai Mara Game reserve. Similarly, tourist from all over the world traffic into Masai Mara Game Reserve for the chance to experience of a lifetime.
Why the migration?
Many are ignorant as to the reason for the herds migration.
The wildebeest migration is a natural phenomena just like the American bison migration which happens every year. In the Mara, annually a population of approximately 1.5 million wildebeest and about 200,000 zebras and some gazelles set for a migration across the Mara River in search of surface drinking water and greener pastures in the months of April to July. It is said that this migration is triggered by the animals' instinct although weather patterns such as the wind direction guide them.
As the huge populous herds migrate to and fro, they are are constantly faced by a challenge of predator attacks which reduces their population. Numerous documentaries feature wildebeest being eaten by crocodiles , land predators or drowning in the river. An adult wildebeest is pretty strong and fast - running at a maximum of 80km/h (50mph). Their horns could easily tear and injure a predator, even a strong lion. A recent research has shown that a herd of wildebeest possess what is known as " swarm intelligence" whereby animals systematically explore and overcome obstacle as one. Typically, predators attempt to segregate or cut out the weak, sick and young animals of the herd. Swarm intelligence enables the older and larger animals to protect the younger and weaker ones while the herd runs as a group.
Migration patterns
The wildebeest live in the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania for 8 months and live in the Masai Mara Game Reserve for two months. The rest of the time is spent in the migration. They migrate to The Mara for surface drinking water and bountiful greener grass rich in phosphorus . The rich grasses are particularly important for the lactating 'mothers' of the herd. This migration happens around the rainy seasons of April until around July and it is during their duration in the reserve that they give birth to thousand of new healthy calves before they migrate back to the Serengeti.
What about the wildebeest?
Here are some brief facts animal
facts about the wildebeest
There are two species of
wildebeest:
The Blue Wildebeest or the
brindled gnu (species Connochaetes taurinus )
The Black Wildebeest or the white
tailed gnu (species Connochaetes gnou)
Size: Male - 58" Female - 53"
Height: 3 ft 9 inch to 4 ft 7 inch
(1.1 m to 1.4 m)
Weight:330 to 550 lbs (150 to 250
kg)
Habitat: The plains and open woodlands of Africa, especially the Serengeti National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tanzania, Masai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya, and Liuwa Plain National Park in Zambia.
Lifespan:20 years
Predators:Leopards, Lions, hyenas, African wild hunting dogs and cheetahs
Food: tree leaves, grass, ferns, fruit and fungi
When and where is it best to view the migration?
Masai Mara is a year round safari destination. However, the migration is it's biggest attraction. A great majority of tourist prefer viewing the migration from the Mara side as opposed to the Serengeti. The Mara provides a stunning spectacle of the whole migration. For eco-friendly and conservative tourist, a view in a a hot air balloon or a chattered aircraft is breathtaking.
The best visit times are between April and July and in November. It's advised that one makes an early visit to avoid the tourist traffic to the park. Although the timing changes from time to time, it doesn't differ much. Also, the spot of migration changes from one year to the other.
Have you, the msafiri, had your chance at this often "once in a lifetime " opportunity? Do you plan to take that step? Personally, I can't wait.
WELCOME MSAFIRI!!
Same here ..cant wait.
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