| <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: | | | | the animals' hooves. These are the secure places to |
| 0.08in } --> | | | | cross the river since they ensure a least mortality. |
| | | | However, the arrangement of the whole crossing |
| The annual animal migration also known as the 7th | | | | programme sometimes seems to fail, and the |
| wonder of the world is nearing and the bookings for | | | | nervous Wildebeests herds usually choose places |
| this magnificent scenery is receiving attention. Victoria | | | | where the banks are too steep and many of the |
| safaris, an adventure safari company is currently | | | | animals break their legs down the cliff. The animals |
| booking clients who may want to see this fascinating | | | | will then plunge into the River Mara, this seems to |
| experience. With the emerging new packages for | | | | haul the rest of the herd which marches forward |
| safaris in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, Victoria | | | | without fear of the awaiting trunk-looking basking |
| Safaris is gearing for a local and international visitors | | | | Crocodiles that populate the steep banks of the Mara |
| which include the physically challenged, disabled clients | | | | River, ready to celebrate their annual feasting. Other |
| visiting the Maasai Mara between July and October | | | | animals follow in a single line across the river, while |
| 2010. This year, the heavy rains at the Mau | | | | the lagged ones throw themselves towards the |
| Escarpment, where the River Mara rises, have fed | | | | stream until the rearguard pushes the troops to a |
| the stream to its highest levels. | | | | frantic race that ends up with some animals trampled |
| The New 7th Wonders of the word: The annual | | | | to death. The crossing of the river is the most |
| wildebeest migration in Kenya and Tanzania is the | | | | fascinating along the migration, and this seems to |
| most spectacular natural event in Africa. This event | | | | place the gnus in a state of anxiety that only relieves |
| which usually starts in late June to early July every | | | | when the whole herd has crossed and are on the |
| year since time immemorial. Annually,in May, over 3 | | | | other side of the river. After crossing the river, herds |
| million animals depart the Western Corridor for the | | | | gather at various points and wander around |
| northern Serengeti plains and in the month of July, | | | | nervously. Thereafter,a team leader will then take |
| the herds cross the mostly dry tributary of the | | | | the lead and approach the rim, surveying the |
| Serengeti - Mara ecosystem which is part of the | | | | opposite side to ascertain if any danger awaits after |
| boundary line between Kenya and Tanzania - The | | | | the crossing. During the months of July and August, |
| Sand River. These animals usually do not know that | | | | the crossings repeat over and over, and the |
| they are migrating as they mow the grass along the | | | | survivors graze peacefully on the Mara Triangle |
| Migration triangle until when they reach the banks of | | | | grasslands. The Predators,the lion and cheetah usually |
| the River Mara, by this time they will have passed | | | | on their heels in the early-morning and late-evening |
| into the Kenyan Maasai Mara without noticing since | | | | hunting spree. The cheetah preying on the calves. |
| there exists an artificial border. The Migration follows | | | | Towards end of October, the animals will have eaten |
| westwards, leading the Wildebeests(gnus) to face | | | | nearly all the best grass and the rains also head south |
| the major challenge along their quest; crossing the | | | | back to the Serengeti. Then the migration reverses, |
| Mara river and also frequently,its tributary, the Talek. | | | | bringing the herds to face once more the quest for |
| On seeing the fresh, tender and mineral-rich pastures | | | | the southern grasslands. The crossing of the Mara |
| on the other side of the river Mara, in Masai Mara,the | | | | river is again a must. By the end of October, the |
| gnus trekkers along the bank of the Mara river | | | | migration heads towards the vast plains of the |
| looking for a suitable point to cross. There are many | | | | southern Serengeti, where a new generation of |
| preferred crossings points along the river, which are | | | | calves will be born to start the cycle of life all over |
| easily identifiable by the animals since they can be | | | | again. Often, over a million animals can be seen |
| seen from both sides of the river. These are the | | | | stretched out. Normally the route is down the |
| depressed slopes and the deep grooves carved by | | | | eastern side and the pace is fast. |