Great
Wildebeest
Migration Cycle in Maasai
(Masai) Mara and Serengeti Ecosystem:-
Undeterred Perilous
Crossing the crocodile infested rivers. Many wildebeest loose their
lives
An Introductions of Masai Mara And Serengeti
Ecosystems
The
Annual Wildebeest migration also called
the
Great Wildebeest migration takes place in an extremely rich contiguous
and self sustaining Masai Mara Serengeti Ecosystem. The self
sustainability has earned it label of the only
"true ecosystem" on earth.
The
Masai (Maasai) Mara magic is attributed to its panorama.
From the vantage of rounded hills, the large expanses grassy
plains teaming with herds of animals resemble a canvas painting. The
overwhelming population and the rich species presentation is
mesmerizing.
"The
Masai
(Maasai) Mara ecosystem has one of the richest assemblages of
wildlife in the world and supports about 237 herbivores per km2
, making it one of the most productive natural terrestrial
ecosystems" On other hand
Serengeti National
Park is the best place to see predators in actions. The predator
population is over 10,000 individuals. 8000 0f these are spotted
hyenas and 3000 lions whose males famed for their black manes.
Seronera with its visitor centre is not only ideal for information
but it a major wildlife hub with all the species represented.
Hippos, lions, leopards, crocodiles, giraffes and primates can all
be spotted within the area. Birdlife is profuse. The park has a
total of 500 species recorded of birds
The
Great / Annual
Wildebeest Migration
Safaris in Masai Mara and
Serengeti National
Parks in 2012
Several
wildebeest migration safaris 2012 are organized in both
Maasai
(Masai) Mara and
Serengeti
National Parks. Depending on
accommodation and transport mode, the safari can either be luxury,
mid range or budget. The duration
of the safari depends on various factors but mostly on time
and budget available for the traveler, the purpose he flexibility of the guest. The all drive
11 days Masai Mara Serengeti Wildebeest Migration Safari commences from
Nairobi and returns to the same via
Maasai Mara,
Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Manyara, and
Amboseli. The
8 days fly drive Wildebeest Migration Safari in Masai Mara National
Park (Mara Explorer 8 days) is a luxury option. Guests fly
from Nairobi Wilson to Masai Mara and return to the same. The
4 days
3 Nights Migration safari combines
Masai Mara, Lake
Nakuru National Park and Lake Naivasha. The
6 days Best of
Tanzania Safari focuses on wildebeest migration in
Serengeti National
Park. The best time to witness migration in Masai Mara National Park Kenya,
is between July to September.
Serengeti National
Park is best visited between March
and May.
The Wildebeest Migration
Masai Mara Serengeti 2012
The annual
Maasai
(Masai) Mara /Serengeti
wildebeest migration is
not about wildebeests migrating per se but rather its
influence on the movement patterns of the other animals
including human beings. The migration comprise of the never
ending milling of over 2.5 million wild animals composed of a about
1.7 million wildebeests, and 800,000 common Zebras and gazelle,
followed closely by their predators-lions, hyenas, leopards,
jackals. Hovering in the skies are thousands
of vultures, the super predators. Patient in nature, they survey the
migrating herds descending on the dead carcasses reducing them to
skeletons in a matter of seconds. The hazardous crossing of crocodile invested Mara and Grumeti
rivers is magical wonder of nature attracting thousands of
human beings. This survival of the fittest spectacle has been
described at the "seventh wonder of the modern world".
Strategic sighting of the migrating herds tend to influence the
setting up of tourism facilities.
Why they migrate.
Migration is influenced by
various factors. Wildebeest have a very selective diet. They
are attracted by lush green grass hence they have keep on the move
following the rain patterns. In addition wildebeest are
known to congregate in plains with grasses rich in nitrogen and
phosphorous. Luck or availability of these two minerals will
influence where they will go. The herd mentality is an anti
predation behaviour. Safety in numbers come into play. This
phenomenon of acting in herds or swarms has been described as "swarm
intelligence", ganging up to overcome an obstacle as one. This
comes into play especially when crossing turbulent rivers. In
a group, they will probably succeed in slowing down the turbulent
and hence cross. In a group, they can discourage a predator from
attacking. Also running in large groups makes it very
difficult for a predator to focus on a specific prey. Tradition has
been advanced as another factor influencing migration. That
it's normal or the nature of the wildebeest is to migrate.
The
wildebeest migration
is mostly influenced by rainfall patterns. Thus no one can
predict with precision where the migrating herds will be at a
definite time. However just as in whether, a prolonged study
migrating cycles has produced some good guess as regards general
movements of migrating herds and some definite facts.
The
wildebeest migration follows a clockwise direction dictated by the rain
patterns in the Mara/Serengeti ecosystem. The Migration has
been going on for as long as our ancestors can remember and where it
started is debatable. If we take the calving period as the beginning of
migration then we can say that migration starts in plains of
Eastern Serengeti around March.
December to April 2012
The herds spread out over
wide area covering Plains of Eastern Serengeti stretching all the
way to the Northern and Western plains of Ngorongoro conservation
area; and Masawa Game Sanctuary. January marks the beginning of
calving season. Calving continues from January to March with
bulk of the calves born in mid February. During this period the plains of Seronera all the way
to Western Ngorongoro are teaming with vast herds of wildebeest
(about 1.7M) with their calves. It is the feasting time of
predators as they take advantage of the weak and venerable foals. The wildebeest are always on
the move and not even calving will disturb this rhythm. Upon
delivery, within minutes, they young calf can stand and walk with
the herd. In a few days, it can outrun any predator. The
best places to stay at this time are Kusini Camp and Ndutu Lodge.
Wildebeest
herds covering the whole plain like a carpet. From the sky, it
looks like a ceaseless flow of a mighty river.
May
To July 2012
May marks the end of long
rains in Eastern
Serengeti and Northern Ngorongoro. Meanwhile the calves
have matured and it is migration time. The scattered herds
gather into long columns of up to 20 miles and the march westwards
begins. The migrating herds cross central Serengeti into
the Ngurumet (popularly called the western corridor), cross the
Ngurumet river into western and northern plains of Serengeti.
By the end of June, the rains in western and northern Serengeti have
subsided. At this time, heavy rain is falling in the Mau hills
and the crocodile infested Mara river is heavily flooded. But
nothing will stand between the wildebeest and the abundant succulent
grass readily available in western Masai
Mara, not the floods nor the crocodiles. The wildebeest
must cross of else risk starvation. With lots of vocalization
wildebeest gather in herds along the banks of the Mara river.
Unmoved by the noise the crocodile patiently waits and guards their
territories against the intruding wildebeest. Any wildebeest
venturing into the river is met immediate hostility and retreats but
cannot go far due to the ever increasing multitudes of the
wildebeest. As time goes, the impatience grows and the
wildebeest in front can no longer withstand the push from behind.
They is no turning back. They have to take a plunge. As if to
confuse the crocodiles, they jump into the river in mobs. The
lucky ones wade across into the land of plenty. The unlucky
ones drown, others are killed or maimed by the crocodiles . By
the end of the cross, the banks of mara river are lined with
carcasses of the dead. It is survival of the fittest and those
maimed will not survive the predators of
Masai mara.
Wildebeest Migration Safaris are available for those who wish to
witness the
wildebeest migration in Masai Mara in 2012. Migration
safaris can be short like the
4 days
3 nights Nairobi, Nakuru Masai Mara or long like the
8 days Masai Mara migratiom 2012 . An extremely good combination
is the
9
days Nairobi / Mt Kenya/ Samburu / Sweet Waters / Nakuru Masai Mara
. The
11 days Masai Mara / Serengeti / Ngorongoro / Lake Manyara /
Amboseli Migration safari follow the wildebeest migration route
from Masai to Serengeti and Ngorongoro.
August and September 2012
The arrival in Masai Mara
coincides with the mating season. The bulls establish
temporally territories and mate with the females crossing into them.
The herds settle in Masai Mara
moving from the Western side to the Eastern boundaries. By
October the succulent grass in Mara is finished and the
migrating herds heads for Serengeti where curving will take place
and the entire cycle starts all over again. i
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| A Safari Landcruiser with certified guide |
Masai Mara /
Serengeti Self
Drive: Self drive safaris are available to
Masai Mara and Serengeti
National Parks. However we always recommend the pictured
safari land cruiser with certified driver guides.
Our
all inclusive
11 Days seventh wonder of the world Maasai Mara Serengeti Migration
safari give you the best opportunity to follow the
migrating herds from Masai Mara into Serengeti and witness this
great spectacle. Book this safari between now and Aug 2012 at only
USD 4050 PP Sharing for two. This is
an all inclusive private safari. See
Nairobi
Masai Mara Lake Nakuru Lake Naivasha 4 Days Safari
The Richness Of Maasai ( Masai)
Mara National Park
"With an area of 1500 Km2,
the Masai (Maasai) Mara reserve is an extension of
Serengeti National Park of Northern Tanzania.
The Masai
(Maasai) Mara ecosystem has one of the richest assemblages of
wildlife in the world and supports about 237 herbivores per km2
, making it one of the most productive natural terrestrial
ecosystems. It maintains the greatest and most spectacular large
mammal migration on earth and is the most highly visited tourist
area in the East African region.
The Masai Mara
National Reserve came into being in 1961"
Accommodation In Maasai (Masai) Mara National Reserve:
Maasai Mara has the largest number of lodges and tented camps in any
park of East Africa.
Lodges in Maasai
(Masai) Mara
Tented Camps
and Camping in
Maasai (Masai) Mara
These
luxury tented camps in Mara offer highest degree of comfort.
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