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What is the Great Migration?
Throughout the year, East Africa’s wide-open grasslands are the setting for the Great Migration as millions of wildebeests, Burchell’s zebras, antelopes and other herd animals make the trek from the Serengeti in Tanzania to the Masai Mara in Kenya. While significant numbers into the multi-thousands (mega-herds) do clump together, more often there are smaller herds spread throughout a region or multiple regions. All of these herds make the trek with two things in mind: fresh grazing lands and water.
“The smell of rain and sound of thunder spur the migration forward, but sometimes sideways and even back,” says David. Along the way, many migrating animals become prey to predators including lions, cheetahs, crocodiles and hyenas. In fact, David shared that around 250,000 wildebeests and 30,000 zebras perish in this tough trek, mainly younger ones. “Many times, mother wildebeests will just start running and keep running, not knowing that their young can’t keep up.”
"Though it is sometimes referred to as annual event, the Great Migration is actually a fluid and continuous, year-long journey of animals migrating through Tanzania and Kenya."
A year-long, 1,200-mile journey
Though it is sometimes referred to as annual event, the Great Migration is actually a fluid and continuous, year-long journey of animals migrating through Tanzania and Kenya. In total, this circuit spans some 1,200 miles. Yes, dramatic river crossings are part of the migration, but they are only a small part of a far more complex chain of events that play out from season to season across two different countries. These events include mating rituals, calving and the shifting fortunes of the herd, all of which are influenced by the subtle changes in rainfall that occur year over year.
Where and when is the best time to see the Great Migration?
The answer to the most common question about this epic movement of animals chasing water and food across two countries with two different ecosystems is anything but simple. Rain patterns have the ultimate say in the herds’ plans and movements, but generally speaking, David and most safari experts note that the herds of the Great Migration typically follow a similar path year over year that begins in Tanzania’s Serengeti and ends in the Masai Mara in Kenya.
An and as always have a chilled day from the Viking
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