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Wildebeest Migration Spectacle in Maasai Mara
05/12/2020
WILDEBEEST MIGRATION SAFARI IN MAASAI MARA.
The Great Wildebeest Migration is one of the most breathtaking sights on earth any wildlife lover will live to remember forever. This annual movement of millions of wildebeests, zebras and gazelles has been said to be the largest movement of land mammals at any one given time in this planet.
Synchronized Births
The migration occurs in a set circuit that occurs between Tanzania’s Serengeti plains in the south and Kenya’s Maasai Mara in the north between July and October each year. These animals usually start to move across the Serengeti in search of more grass and reliable water supply around June. Wildebeest have a synchronized birth that around February, wildebeest mothers give birth to more than half a million calves within a fortnight. The calves are born at the onset of long rains between March and May and therefore there is plenty of grass at this time.
Migration Begins
The end of May is the onset of dry season and the south and east plains of the Serengeti starts to dry out, prompting the animals to begin migrating. Some move northwards while others move to the west. The crossing of the Grumetei River in Tanzania is treacherous for the wildebeests as the crocodiles are waiting for this annual feast. Those that survive, and many do, continue their northward journey to the Maasai Mara Ecosystem.
Entry into the Mara
By June the herds begin crossing from Tanzania to Kenya in search for more grass. The journey here is even more treacherous as the herds face their greatest obstacle in the form of a series of rivers that must be crossed. At the Mara River the animals gather at the banks, piling together in front of the vast fast flowing waters. As the numbers grow, the pressure increases and the herds finally jump into the river from high banks.
As they struggle across the rivers many are drowned or swept away by strong currents. The crossing attracts a hundreds if not thousands of crocodiles which annually await this season of plenty. The crocodiles plunge into the herds and pull down the prey. This frenzy feeding and quest for survival is a spectacular and awe inspiring sight.
Survival for the Fittest or the Lucky.
The Mara River crossing can simply be regarded as the climax of the migration period. For a spectator, it takes one through a rollercoaster of emotions, from thrill to spine chilling, adrenaline sapping to pure ecstasy. The Darwinian Principle of Survival for the fittest unfolds right before your eyes. The crocodiles want to eat to their fill, the wildebeest want to survive.
One is left to ask themselves why the quest for survival portends death. These animals moved north in search of grass for survival, yet, awaiting them is death in the form of deadly crocodiles.
Here the lucky ones survive the massive jaws of hungry crocodiles. Due to the large numbers, the unlucky ones are few. It is estimated that up to 250,000 wildebeests and zebras die at this crossing point. Some are eaten by crocodiles, others are trampled on in the stampede and the frail ones are swept away by the strong water.
On the plains
Finally, those that make it across the crocodile infested Mara River land on the expansive Mara plains where there is plenty of grass. The herds spread out to graze across the plains and are ruthlessly preyed on by the land predators which also awaits them for the feast. The land predators which are; Lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas and wild dogs are all aware of the impending season of bounty. Again, the wildebeest and other grazers that survived the jaws of crocodiles have to be on the lookout. Most of the calves fall victims to the predators when they get separated and loose track of their mothers. Others get lucky to reunite with them but it rarely happens. The lost calves tend to wander away looking for the mothers hence easily falling victims of the predators. That is simply how nature works.
Return Home to Serengeti
In October the herds turn southward and repeat the same journey back to the Serengeti, where the short rains have rejuvenated the grass as the Mara tall grass is depleted. This cycle is repeated year in, year out.
Conclusion
The Maasai Mara hasn’t been named one of the Wonders of the World in vain. Taking a vantage point by River Mara and watch these marvels of nature unfold right before your eyes will rend credence to this declaration.
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