"One of the World's biggest spectacles". Many have so



described it. Many have come back time and again.

They have witnessed this mass movement of wild

animals roaming free through unspoiled and savage

wilderness. The air fills with the click- click of the cameras

tirelessly. You have not seen something like this before.

Africa is changing at a quick pace and human

encroachment into the wildlife reserves has continued

to erase the traditional routes. In association with

development and changes of the way of life, the

image of wildlife roaming free is slowly getting

erased. Fortunately, Masai Mara National reserve

holds on to its charisma of an open, limitless land.

It is one of the places in Africa that still prides in

wildlife concentration.

Masai Mara is located in the South-western of Kenya,

290 kilometers from Nairobi. The abundance of wildlife

and the remoteness of the reserve implants memories

that no money can buy.

The Migration is a recent phenomenon (60's and

70's was the biggest boom) with about 250,000

individuals. Gradually, with time the number

has risen to the current population of over 3,000,000

individuals. Add to it an estimated 1,500,000 Zebras

and the result is one of the most magnificent scenes

in the world. The massive display attracts hundreds

of big cats as the populations provide abundant

prey. The giant African crocodiles lie in wait,

patiently, as the big herds come to cross the river or

to drink.

It is the masai community who are not so pleased

with the whole phenomenon. The wildebeests compete

with their huge herds of boran cattle for the grasslands.

To them, it is a big calamity especially because the

wildebeests transmit diseases to their herds and poison

the waters with their fetal sacs.

This world famous migration is a circle of life

which, in simple terms, means that there isn't a

start or an end. Only where the herds are located

at a particular time. The big determinant is the

availability of pastures. The plains of Ngorongoro

Conservation Area in Serengeti are a favored spot

as grass abounds and the wildebeest find a safe

place to graze. It is also here that over 500,000 new

calves are born and many are taken by the nearby

waiting Jackals or Hyenas.

New borns have little time to strengthen their legs.

As soon after birth, the ?pilgrim" continues.

By April, the rains are over in southern Serengeti

and the plains have dried up. The great herds then

gather and face the long march northwards and

westwards. The natural lawn mowers abandon

the exhausted grasslands of southern Serengeti to

head for the already tall grass of the Western

corridor, near the shores of Lake Victoria.

The pioneers of the migration movement are

the majestic herds of zebras. They prefer the long

stems of the coarse grass. This way, they leave behind

shorter grass which is favored by the wildebeests.

In late June to July the mass start pouring into

the Kenya Masai Mara reserve where fresh, tender

and mineral-rich grass is already waiting. Here

they meet the resident Mara populations which

add up to about 150,000. Also commonly referred

to as the Loita plains herds, they spend most of the

season northeast of the Mara. When it gets dry, they

pour into the interior of the Mara in search of greener

pastures.

The migrating herds spend roughly 3 to 31/2 months

in the Mara crossing through Sand River, which is a

tributary of the Mara along the boundary of Kenya

and Tanzania. They trek westwards and cross the

Mara river and sometimes the Talek river. Usually

around this time heavy rains on the Mau Escarpment

(origin of Mara River) fill the Mara river to the brim.

This is a good time to watch the trunk-looking

Crocodiles, while they await the forthcoming feast.

Finally, the gnus (wildebeests) venture into the river.

This gregarious coordinated behavior of the herds,

usually teamed with zebras, creates an unimaginable scene.

Just what the cameras have been waiting for.

They wander along the river looking for a

convenient crossing point. This is a moment

filled with tension for both the gnus(wildebeests)

and the audience.

They survey for a less steep and with no obvious

danger. Finally, one takes courage and plunges

into the river and magically the rest falls onto

the footsteps and in one organized line cross the river.

In addition to the crocodiles, accidents also occur.

The river's current can be too strong for some especially

the young ones. Or simply getting stuck between the rocks in

the river and breaking limbs, a direct ticket to the jaws

of the giant crocodiles. Finally, the crossing is done

and the trek to their unknown (or known) destiny continues.

In the month of October, they are already heading

to Serengeti where the rains have treated the southern

grasslands to lush, green carpet of rich grass. Once

again, they are heading to the southern plains, where

a new generation will be born to start the cycle of

life all over again