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Posts Tagged ‘wildebeest migration’

The Serengeti – The Heart of Africa

Endless grassland plains, prides of hunting lions and hordes of roaming wildebeest are just a tiny bit of what makes up this perfect ecosystem, situated in what can only be described as the Heart of Africa. The sheer magnificence of this place is only matched by its immense size.

A brief history:

The Serengeti plains have been inhabited by the Maasai people for centuries, but were only discovered by Europeans in the late 19th century. Dr. Oscar Bauman, a German geographer and explorer, was the first to enter the park in 1892. The Maasai, known for being fierce warriors, protected the land and prevented the exploitation of resources by the Europeans. The Maasai have subsequently moved to the Ngorongoro highlands after the creation of the park. The Serengeti National Park stretches from the north of Tanzania into the southern parts of Kenya.

The majesty of nature:

The Unforgettable Great Wildebeest Migration

One of the most bewildering and epic spectacles available to you when you embark upon a Kenya safari is the annual Wildebeest Migration. Over a million wildebeest, zebra and types of antelope leave the plains of the Serengeti in Tanzania for the drier season-friendly environment of the Masai Mara in Kenya. The migration occurs between January and March, when around 500,000 new calves enter the world. It is consistently described as one of the most fascinating natural events known to man.

The food and water supply of the Serengeti soon begins to diminish, meaning that the wildebeest, zebra and antelope proceed towards greener pastures. The animals tend to divide and take separate routes between April and July and are followed closely by scores of predatory hyenas, cheetahs and lions. The Mara River is their next destination and the most generous watering point available to the wildebeest en route to their eventual finishing point, the Masai Mara.