The Great Migration
We often ask ourselves, as with all of the wonderful things in the world, what classifies something as a ‘Natural Wonder of the World”. What justifies such a prestigious title? Well, if 1.5 million wildebeest and zebra migrating across the great plains of the Serengeti and the Masai Mara, dogging every super predator of Africa and having to face crossing the treacherous Mara river, doesn't... then what does? A constant natural marvel that is a true embodiment of the cycle of life, and that has become one of the greatest spectacles on Earth.
A few great experiences of the Great Migration...
Crossing the crocodile-infested Mara River
The most daunting is perhaps yet to come
During the course of July, the gargantuan herds of wildebeest and zebra make their way north, departing the drying banks of the Grumeti River – the first big obstacle to cross they must cross. But the most daunting is yet to come. In order for the great herds to graze the green Kenyan pastures of the Masai Mara, they must cross the perilous Mara River. It is an impressive spectacle, as hundreds of animals throw themselves into the river, a haphazard traverse in a cacophony of grunts and panicked calls, stampeding hooves, splashes and thrashes. Spectacular clouds of dust rise above as the wildebeest run into and out of the river, making crossings a super-sensorial and adrenaline-packed event to witness. The Mara is home to some truly monstrous crocodiles, the size of which will take by surprise even the most seasoned safari goer. And on the other side, predators are on the lookout, ready to ambush weakened individuals and young ones. In August, the migration herds are spread out across the northern regions of the Masai Mara, grazing the nutrient rich pastures. Slowly, they make their way eastwards over the course of September-October. Once the East African vuli – short rains – have passed in November, it is time for the herds to head back to the Serengeti, crossing the perilous river once more, into the cheetah-dense eastern boundaries of the endless Tanzanian plains.
Calving season of Ndutu
Where predator and prey meet
It could be said that this is the very start of the Great Migration. A constantly mobile herd of millions of animals that follow the seasonal rains in order to feed, or breed, at the appropriate time and place. Ndutu is where the great herds give birth and pause for a short moment before once more resuming their journey northwards. The great, golf course-like plains of Ndutu give visitors a perspective of this unimaginable site of animals in their millions stretching unto the horizon. And of course….drawn to this mass of newly born zebra, wildebeest and gazelle, are the incredibly high numbers of predators, making the calving season of the Migration one of the most thrilling displays of a ‘raw Africa’ there is. Small plumes of dust will be noticed between scattering wildebeest as cheetah use the open country to run down the abundance of young. The famous blonde lions of Ndutu lie crouched in waiting amongst acacia forests and sedge grass, and every so often one can witness a beautiful leopard stretched across a branch, observing the herds with a hungry eye.
A Circle of life
The wonderful and harmonious balance of life and death
The Great Migration is an extraordinary biological and biodiverse event, that resonates across all the layers of the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem. Though the wildebeest, zebras and scattered antelope are important protagonists, the entire ecosystem works in a wonderful and harmonious balance of life and death. Ndutu’s short grasses are rich in potassium and calcium, perfect for mothers-to-be and those already lactating- and they offer the advantage of visibility. As the calves are born, the mothers lick off the foetal membranes. Within 30minutes, mother and baby are running at a similar pace, remaining grouped in tight factions to protect these fresh, new, easy targets. Around half a million calves are born over the course of three weeks, which will, of course, attract predators of all shapes and sizes. Big cats abound around the herds, giving way to impressive hunts that complete the circle of life. Hyenas, jackals and vultures thrive on the carcasses of the kills, as well as on the nutritious foetal substances left behind. And as the herds move towards the river in the North, the crocodiles lay in waiting or their annual reptilian equivalent to Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. And then the processes begin all over again, as the herds follow the rains and the fresh pastures of green grass, and as the predators follow the herds.
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