Now's the best time to witness the Great Migration in Masai Mara ...
In a land far away from us, a natural phenomenon is taking place, where millions of animals are making their iconic annual journey to greener pastures. This journey is crucial for these animals as they follow the rainfall and come across life-giving water and pastures on their way.
We are talking about the Great Migration in the Masai Mara (Kenya) and Serengeti (Tanzania), one of the most spectacular natural events on the planet.
This natural event is something every nature and wildlife lover should witness at least once in their life. To watch the movements of millions of wildebeest, zebras, and other herbivores across the vast plains of the Serengeti in Tanzania to the greener pastures of the Masai Mara in Kenya, this is something that you are unlikely to forget once witnessed.
The Great Migration is an annual event and July through November is the best time to witness this. This is when the land receives the much needed rainfall after a hot and dry summer. During the summer, the grasslands turn into brown and dusty landscape, with most of the watering holes dried up.
The animals move in large numbers in search of water and a lot of them don’t even make it to the first rainfall during this movement.
This epic journey begins in the Serengeti in Tanzania during the wet season (around December to March). This is when the grasslands have abundant food sources.
During the wet season, the herds also give birth to calves, meaning increased population. But then, the dry season approaches and with dwindling food sources and drier season, the herds start their movement towards the pastures of the Masai Mara in Kenya. Yes, this movement happens throughout the year.
During their move to Kenya’s Masai Mara, the herds cross the iconic Mara River. The scene that unfolds is no less than an action-packed movie. The Mara River, for those wondering, is not a very big stretch of river, it’s not the water that kills, it’s the predators that rule the water – the crocodiles. It’s truly a battle of survival.
No wonder, this Great Migration is one of the most favourite subjects for wildlife documentaries.
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Speaking of predators, the grassland comes alive with predators like lions, cheetahs, and hyenas, all drawn to the abundance of prey. So whether you are there to see millions of migrating animals, ranging from smallest of ungulates to the largest of pachyderms, or the big predators lying in wait, it’s a scene you will not forget for a really long time.
