We had always wanted to do the Great Migration. The Great Migration is the movement of over a million animals across the Serengeti in Tanzania to the Masai Mara in Kenya. We were in Kenya back in March and kept in touch with our guide Ronny, who kept dropping us messages that it was going to be one of the best migrations ever. After finding our feet travelling around Turkey we thought it was time to head back to Kenya and finish the Africa leg of our trip. It would also be the place where we would celebrate Nick’s birthday.
It is estimated around 1.5 million wildebeests make the migration from Serengeti to Masai Mara in search of lush new grass. The wildebeests are probably the stupidest animal you will see and you can tell why.
Wilderbeest run at the slightest provocation and then keep on running, even when there is no apparent reason. It is easy to imagine the conversation. They are spooked and run, then after a while, a very long while, a wildebeest will turn to the other and say, ‘why are we running’ and the other will reply, ‘I dunno. I was just following you.’ But they keep on running as they have forgotten the first part of their conversation.
[insert photo of wildebeests running]
We were here for the Great Migration in August. Throughout July – October, herds of animals start arriving at the bank of the Mara for the migration and is considered the best time to see the river crossings. There were thousands and thousands of wildebeests shuffling around waiting for their turn to cross the river with the rest of their group. Then hesitantly gaze at the murky water because the river is home to one of Africa’s largest and feared predator the Nile crocodile. We were lucky to witness one of the crossings with several crocodiles to ourselves.
Slowly the wildebeest herd descends into the water. Some tumble down the bank and break their legs; others are pushed underwater, taken downstream, or savaged by crocodiles. Ten of thousands die, but the group members who make it are rewarded with fresh grass on the other side.
Our guide, Ronny told us it had been the best migration since 2006. There were a lot more wildebeests as less cars with tourists meant they had more room to move for the migration. It was lovely as well to see so many Kenyans enjoying the Great Migration for the first time themselves as previously it would been out of reach due to the high prices as a result of demand from foreigners, however this year it was significantly cheaper. It was now time to head to Lake Nakuru and Amboseli National Park.