The Masai Mara National Reserve is a huge area in south-western Kenya which is in effect the northern continuation of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. It is named after the Masai tribe which is said to be the original inhabitants and their description of this area when looked at from a particular viewpoint. Maara also denotes the word “spotted” in the local language and is a relevant description for the circles of trees, shrub, savannah grasslands and the cloud shadows that mark the area.

The Masai Mara National Reserve is spread out on a area of 1510 square kilometers and is the northern-most section of the Mara-Serengeti ecosystems covering some 25000 square kilometers. The rainfall in the ecosystem follows a south-east-north-west pattern and can vary in space and time.

The Sand, Talek and Mara are the major rivers which drain the reserve and run full force during the rainy season. There are shrubs and trees on the fringes of most drainage lines and cover the hill slopes and hill tops.

Masai Mara National Reserve is famous for its exceptional population of the Big Cats, the game and the annual migration of various animals including the wildebeests, zebra and the Thomson’s gazelle. This migration takes place on such a huge proportion that it is aptly named The Great Migration.

The Great Migration – A Trek from Serengeti to Maasai Mara:
This is one of the most awe-inspiring and mind-boggling sights in the entire world. This is one of the longest treks taken up by wildebeests which spans up to an area of 1800 kilometers to and fro from Serengeti Plains to Masai Mara and then back again. The journey runs in a clockwise circle resulting in a massive migration of a huge herd of animals.

The main reason for this age-old trek is the quest for fresh food and abundant water. The journey starts in the month of July and continues till October-November.

The Great Migration includes herds of wildebeests (gnu), the zebras, eland and the Thomson’s gazelle. They follow a time-tested fixed path and make the shift from one place to the other. During this period, approximately, 1.5 million wildebeests, 300,000 Thomson’s gazelle and around 100,000 zebra crossover from one side to the other. The most spectacular sight to behold in this whole drama is when the different herds reach the River Grumeti in Tanzania and attempt the crossover to the other side of the overflowing river. Same is the scenario when they try the crossing of River Mara in Kenya.

One of the most important features of this whole trek is that there are so many claves born during this time which also attracts the predators. But nature has its own system of security and balance. The calves of the gnu can stand within two minutes of being born and within the next 8 minutes they are able to run with their mothers. Amazing!!!!

But it also means that the mortality rate also has to be high to maintain the balance. During the whole cycle, nearly 250,000 wildebeests perish, either due to illness, old age or prey to the predators.

Time & Course of the Journey (Tanzania to Kenya):

December through March: This is the calving season for the wildebeests in the Serengeti Plains. One can easily see huge herds of the gnu (so called due to the grunting sound they make), zebra and gazelle. Calves are usually born in February also attracting the beasts of prey in their wake. One of the best times to see lion kills!!!

April – May: Migration of these herbivores to the grassier plains in the west and north. The rains at this time make viewing difficult. After the rains these animals start moving towards north gradually and the different herds congregate and form much larger herds. This is also the mating time of the wildebeests.

July: The herds reach their first obstacle, the Grumeti River which can be deep and overflowing if there has been a good rainfall. This river crossing is the most spectacular scene one can ever imagine. There are instances of drowning due to the depth and also the crocodiles are lying in wait for the weak and the vulnerable ones.

In late July, they make a second river crossing at River Mara which is also filled with crocodiles.

September-November: The Mara Plains are spotted by these animals wherever you look. They are naturally followed by the predators that come in all size and shape. One can easily view the Big Cats in the hunting mode followed by the hyenas and the wild dogs.

November/December: It is time to go back home. The rains start in the south and the herds again gather to take up the long trek back, completing the full circle.

The only thing to be kept in mind is that the migration is a natural event and changes each year in terms of both location and time.

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Category: Travel
Keywords: Kenya, Masai mara natural reserve, Mara River, wildlife in Maasai mara, Serengeti national reserve,