Wildebeest migration

Masai Mara Game Reserve

There can be few wildlife spectacles that come even close to competing with this. During July and August each year, millions of wildebeest and zebra make their annual migration north from Tanzania's Serengeti to the fresh pastures of the Masai Mara, returning to the Serengeti in September and October.

Pursued by predators all the way, the herds face their most gruelling challenge at the natural obstacle of the mighty Mara River. They must swim across swirling and treacherous waters to complete their journey and large numbers of lions, hyenas, vultures and especially crocodiles congregate at this natural bottleneck to prey on the young, the weak and the unlucky.

Other game to be found in "The Mara" at any time of the year, include elephant, cheetah, leopard, water buffalo, hyena, ostrich, antelope and a large variety of bird life including bee eaters, the White-bellied Go-away bird (so named because of its distinctive call) and the rare and elusive African finfoot.

South western Kenya is the heartland of the Maasai (note the different spelling), a strongly independent people to whom tradition, ritual and ceremony are an important part of their everyday lives. Perhaps the best known ceremony is the warrior "jumping" dance, where young Maasai morani (warrior-youth) leap high into the air from a standing position to demonstrate their strength and agility.

t: 01625 440777 e: info@kenya-indepth.co.uk

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