Masai Mara - Among the New Wonders of the World

The Masai Mara, with its open rolling grasslands and abundance of wildlife is renowned for its good game viewing when you do a safari in Kenya. It is the most famous and most visited game reserves in Kenya . It sustains all the Big Five- elephant, lion, rhino, buffalo and leopard as well as an astonishing wealth of other game. Often a whole range of different species in view of at one time. The game reserve abounds with birdlife; close to four hundred and fifty two species have been recorded.The best time to visit the Mara is during the Great Migration, each year, usually in July/ August the Mara is host to millions of wildebeest, Zebras and gazelles who migrate from Serengeti plains across the Tanzania boarder and the Mara river to reach Masai Mara. The sound of the approaching herd is a deep, primal rumbling of thundering hooves and low grunts.

The sight of the wildebeest is staggering- a continuous charging mass that stretches from one horizon to the other this endless grey river of life is mottled with black and white as zebras join the throng. The marvelous wide open views and interplay of light and shadow are themselves worth a visit to the Mara

It is possible for visitors to Kenya to follow the progress of the herds and experience the full grassland cycle firsthand.. During this period predators are in plenty to hunt. Lions are frequently seen attacking the herds - especially at night- dragging down straggling individuals.

At the same time, packs of Hyena freely weave throughout the herds, singling out and separating the young and the weak. The migration can be experienced on early morning game drives in customized vehicles, walking safaris with Masai Warrior guides, horseback safaris in areas surrounding the Mara, or even from hot air Balloon safaris over the herds.

As the wildebeest cross the Mara river, they face many challenges i.e. the predators that waylay them as the try to cross, the heavy rainfall in the highland Mau escarpment turns the Mara River into a raging torrent. As happens each year, the herds usually gather at the banks in preparation to cross the river and sheer pressure builds, the herds are finally forced to surge into the river, often hurling themselves off high banks.

In the struggle across the Mara River , many are drowned or swept away by strong currents, many others die in the course of the trek and the crossing attracts massive crocodiles who each year awaits this season of bounty. Of all the calves born in the Serengeti, two out of three never return from their first and most demanding migration. It is this inextricable binding of renewal and sustenance, feast and famine, life and death that makes this event one of nature’s greatest wonders.

Kenya’s Maasai Mara game reserve has a variety of accommodation, there are luxury lodges, exclusive tented camps, campsites and more available. View the available tours to Masai Mara here.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008 at 4:42 pm and is filed under Kenya Safari. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.