Maasai Mara - The Great Migration

As a child I watched Wild Kingdom and read National Geo Kids religiously. I remember being mesmerized with tens of thousands of zebras and these strange looking beasts crossing a croc infested river in Africa. The Great Migration, as it was known became a bucket list item and the centerpiece of my African Overland Safari

The Great Migration is the circular migration of over a million animals across the Serengeti- Masaii Mara ecosystem. The constant movement of wildebeest, joined by zebras, antelopes, elands and other herding animals following a set route in search of grass and water. After giving birth in the southern part of Tanzania's Serengeti near the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the animals journey through the Serengeti up and around in a clockwise direction towards the Masai Mara in Kenya, before returning once again near the end of the year. Along the way, danger is always present, as thousands of animals are taken by predators and thousands more are born,

replenishing the numbers and sustaining the circle of life.

After an early morning demonstration of medicinal plants by the women of the Maasai village, it was on the road again for the short drive to Mara National Reserve and our afternoon game drive. We packed into 4 x 4 jeeps, cameras in hand and screamed with excitement as the first zebra was spotted followed by elephants, giraffes, wildebeests buffalo and pumbas, aka warthogs. Then the radio call came, a lion was spotted. All the safari trucks raced to the gps coordinates. A bonded pair resting then mating under a shaded tree. We gazed in awe as the only sound was the snapping of camera shutters. We continued on through the plains of the Mara as the sun set over the acacia trees, heading back to camp.

I woke up the next morning to the alarm beeping at 4am. Dressed in winter hat and coat, I met six others on a hot air balloon excursion over the park. As the sun rose, we lifted off in our balloons to take in the vast plains from above. Easy to spot the wildebeest tracks and herds of zebras moving single file. After a champagne breakfast we met the rest of the group for the all-day jeep drive to the Mara River.

Tens of thousands of wildebeest lined the river waiting for the first brave animal to attempt the crossing. We scanned the river and spotted the hippos and Nile crocodiles. We gunned the engines trying to gain prime viewing spots tires hanging over the edge of the cliff.

The race was on. Thousands of wildebeest and zebra racing across the river. Then it happened. A croc got hold of a wildebeest. A struggled ensued. Who would win the battle.

The afternoon wore on. Hot, dusty and tired we slowly made the long journey back to camp. Then another call came through the radio. Cheetah sighting. As we got closer to the locations we noticed vultures circling. Could it be. Could this day get any better. YES. A cheetah kill. Not one but two cheetahs chowing down on their prey.

Daylight was fading fast with storm clouds on the horizon. As we arrived in camp, the heavens opened up. Beer in hand we had dinner and compared photos in the poring rain. But alas it was time for bed as we had a long drive the next day through the edge of the Mara, next destination Lake Naivasha..