Great Migration

There is still one place in the world where annual migrations of large mammals continues to occur.  Long gone are the days when massive populations of bison roamed the lush grasslands in the western United States.  But that lost moment in time can almost be recaptured when experiencing the six-month migration of wildebeests — from the southern Serengeti to the rich grasses of the Masai Mara National Reserve in the north and back again.  During their journey wildebeests are accompanied by a host of other herbivores such as zebras and Thomson’s gazelles.  Simply amazing!  Generally, by the beginning of June each year more than a million and half wildebeests begin their long trek crossing two crocodile infested rivers, the Grumeti and the Mara.  They are driven by the seasonal parching of soil in their homeland and the hope of nourishment to the north.  Over a third of the wildebeests may die along the way, either from starvation or from predation.  When the rainy season begins, they commence their long return trip home — once more they need to cross the treacherous (now swollen) rivers and escape the grasp of predators.

Wildebeests heading north, central Serengeti sunset – Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Wildebeests crossing road – Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Wildebeest drinking water – Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Wildebeest and calf – Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Young Wildebeests playing – Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Young Wildebeests playing – Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Lioness watching – Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Spotted Hyena watching Wildebeests – Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Wildebeests gathering in the north – Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Wildebeests gathering in the north – Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Wildebeests resuming their journey – Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Young male Lion watching (also beset by flies) – Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Wildebeest carcass – Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Wildebeests cross the Grumeti River – Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Wildebeests and Plains Zebras waiting to cross the Mara River – Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Nile Crocodiles on the Mara River – Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Wildebeest prepares to cross the Mara River – Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Nile Crocodile on the Grumeti River – Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Plains Zebras crossing the Mara River – Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Nile Crocodile attacks Plains Zebra crossing the Mara River – Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Serengeti sunset – Serengeti National Park, Tanzania