MIGRATION 2012

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Masai Mara is fascinating ecosystem covering 1500 square km of savannah, grassland, woodlands and riverine forests. It is inhabited by the big five, as well as diversity of other plains game and rich variety of bird life. Every year, usually between July and October, the promise of rain brings more than 1.5 million wildebeest and zebras together in one massive heard headed for rich bounty of lush grasslands in the Masai Mara. They congregate at the Mara River. Their crossing into Kenya from Tanzania is dramatic spectacle fraught with lurking danger from crocodiles and other hopeful carnivores.

The Great Migration

The Wildebeest Migration in East Africa, also known as The Great Migration takes place between Kenya's Masai Mara and Tanzania's Serengeti National Park and is one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on the planet. Thousands of wildebeest and zebras migrate between the Serengeti and the Masai Mara, constantly driven by their search for fresh grazing. The massive herds are closely followed by predators (lion, hyena and cheetah), making the most of every opportunity to catch their next meal. The precise timing of the annual wildebeest migration depends on the rains. It is a very unpredictable and spontaneous natural event, with calving season taking place in the Serengeti between January and mid-March. The wildebeest migration starts to head towards the Western Serengeti in May or June. One of the highlights of the annual migration, the arrival of the wildebeest into the Masai Mara, has commenced. The first arrivals from the Serengeti have started crossing the crocodile infested waters of the Mara River. This is what most people consider to be the quintessential annual wildebeest migration and this year looks likely to be a spectacular event. Only the first few thousand, of an estimated 2 million plains game, have arrived in the Masai Mara, but their arrival is a great source of excitement amongst safari enthusiasts.

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Migration path of the migrating herds

August: The migration moves to the Masai Mara in search of water and fresh grazing.

September: The wildebeest and zebra are now located in the Masai Mara. The area is dry, but water can still be found in the Mara River.

Oktober: The thunder clouds are starting to build up as a sign of the impending rain. The wildebeest start moving south in anticipation of the new seasons rains.

Outlook for Migration 2012

There is plenty of water and the Mara River and Talek Rivers are flowing strongly. There has been some rain in June and beginning of July especially in the Mara triangle. The first herds have been spotted in the Loita Hills migration towards North. The first sightings in the Mara Triangle are expected end of July.

Mara Siria Luxury Tented Bush Camp The Mara Siria Camp is a luxurious and eco-friendly safari tented camp in the North-West of the Masai Mara. Located on the Siria Escarpment on the Western border of this worldfamous reserve, Mara Siria Camp offers the perfect starting point for your safari.