Every year, a spectacular journey takes place in the plains of the Masai Mara. A journey of immense proportions and of grandeur beauty. Millions of wildebeest cross the Mara river in an amazing show of nature’s synchronized ballet. This is the wildebeest migration, a sight like no other in the world.
A Spectacular Journey
The wildebeest and their companions, zebras, elands and gazelles, move in a clockwork-like fashion, coordinated by their powerful instinct and determined by the availability of food and the changes in temperature and climate. An average of 1.3 million animals are involved in the spectacle, all traveling in a large herd that can reach an amazing 8 kilometers wide.
The animals gather in the southern Serengeti in Tanzania during the rainy season and, as it ends and the grass starts to dry out, they set out on their way to the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. This almost 3000 kilometer journey is divided into several parts, with the animals crossing the crocodile-infested Mara river being one of the most impressive episodes of it.
Wildebeest Migration in Masai Mara
The animals cross the river during the dry season, when water levels are low and there are fewer predators. Nevertheless, the crossing is a dangerous endeavour. Many wildebeest and other animals don’t make it across alive and are killed by the river’s strong currents or by the hungry crocodiles hiding beneath the surface. However, it is an integral part of the wildebeest’s cycle and something that must be done if they are to survive.
The animals settlements on the other side of the river can be seen as far as the eye can see and it is truly a breathtaking sight. The Masai Mara is an area of grasslands, bush and rivers and is the perfect environment for the wildebeest and the other animals that accompany them.
The wildebeest migration is an incredible natural phenomena and is a must-see for wildlife lovers. It is an amazing spectacle that demonstrates the power of nature and the strength of these animals. It is a journey of immense proportions that has been taking place for millions of years and is sure to keep fascinating us for many more to come.