Masai Mara
The eighth natural wonder of the world - the Masai Mara, lies 270 km north west of
Nairobi. 200 sq miles of open plains, woodlands and riverine forest is a stunning
backdrop for the world’s greatest natural spectacle - The Wildebeest Migration.
From July to October, the promise of rain and fresh life giving grass in the north
brings more than 1.3 million Wildebeest together into a single massive herd. They
pour across the Tanzanian border into the Masai Mara, making a spectacular entrance
in a surging column of life that stretches from horizon to horizon.
At the Mara River they mass together on the banks before finally plunging forward
through the raging waters, creating a frenzy as they fight against swift currents
and waiting crocodiles.
The wildebeest bring new life to the Mara, not just through
their cycle of regeneration of the grasslands, but for the predators who follow the
herds.
The Mara is home to a breathtaking array of life year-round. The savannah plains
are scattered with herds of zebra, giraffe, gazelle, and topi. The acacia forests
abound with bird life and monkeys. Elephants and buffalo wallow in the wide Musiara
Swamp. The Mara and Talek rivers are brimming with hippos and crocodiles. Over 450
bird species have been identified in the Mara.
The Mara has been called the Kingdom
of Lions and is home to the BBC's Big Cat Diaries. These regal and powerful hunters
dominate the grasslands. Cheetah are also a common sight in the Mara, as are hyena
and smaller predators such as jackals.
The Mara area is well serviced with a wide
range of accommodation for all budgets and offers an assortment of activities for
the whole family, from walking safaris to sunrise balloon safaris.
© SXS
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