The Migration a safari in Tanzania.
The Migration safari in Tanzania is today's post . Hello guys, today we will speak about the great wildebeest migration between Serengeti, Tanzania and Masai Mara, Kenya. The wildebeest migration is often referred to as a 2000km (1000 miles) movement of big herds of ungulates, namely wildebeest, zebras, and Thomson’s gazelles in search of water and greener pastures.
This popular event is called the "Greatest show on earth". There is no denying that the great wildebeest migration truly is representative of the merciless cycle of life.
It is rated as one of the world's most spectacular natural events. Every year, over a million and a half wildebeest, half a million zebra and a little over 250,000 Thomson’s gazelles migrate around the Serengeti- Mara ecosystem.
The Migration Begins | The Migration safari in Tanzania
Migration never starts or ends. The animals move across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, changing position based on the localized rain pattern. Following the short rainy season of November to December, the herds drop down from Masai Mara and Northern Serengeti, into the Southeast Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation area, Ndutu Plains. It is not unusual to see long lines stretching for several miles of a combination of wildebeest, zebras, and Thomson’s gazelles. This is one of the most fascinating encounters to see on Earth.
The wildebeest have undergone a natural adaptation of synchronizing their calving time. About 90% of the adult females give birth in the “hot spot”, short grassland of Southeast Serengeti between February and March. About 8,000 calves are born every day within a four-week period, making the short grassland of Southeast Serengeti an interesting maternity ground.
The Migration safari in Tanzania the dangers
Wildebeest migration is an expensive movement, as quite a few of them fall victim to the major carnivores of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem such as lions, hyenas, cheetahs, and leopards. However, this is the natural mechanism that controls the wildebeest population.
The notorious crocodiles are especially known to grab a lot of wildebeest as they are crossing different rivers in the Serengeti, such as River Mbalageti and River Grumeti. However, the most popular river crossing is watched at the Mara River. This is one of the most fascinating dramas to witness between July and October.
At this time, the herds are on their journey to and from Northern Serengeti and Masai Mara. This is when the deadly crocodiles celebrate their “Thanksgiving” holiday, as food becomes very abundant with the arrival of the members of the migration.
The Migration affects all | The Migration safari in Tanzania
The wildebeest migration has a great effect on the population growth of the major carnivores, especially lions and cheetahs. These animals are territorial so as the wildebeest herds move through their territories, their food supply drastically changes.
In the southeastern Serengeti for instance, lion cub mortality can be as high as 80% between July and October when the herds are in the northern Serengeti and Masai Mara in Kenya.
Cheetahs are also affected by the changing food supply and do not breed very well during the same period.
Hyenas are the only carnivores that actually follow the herds, increasing their food supply and thus their survival rate. The hyenas of the Serengeti are also known for their communal foraging behavior and following the wildebeest migration from one part of the ecosystem to the other.
Vultures ride warm air called thermals and can soar over great distances with very little effort, watching and waiting to pick off food that is created by the migration. Vultures serve as nature’s clean-up crew by digesting carcasses that would otherwise spread disease. (Due to the low pH in their stomachs, they can digest bone fragments and diseases such as botulism and rabies – they are truly awesome creatures!)
The Migration PATTERN | The Migration safari in Tanzania
The short rainy season from November to December stimulates the migrating herds to drop down from the northern Serengeti into the southeast to prepare for calving season. The calving season takes place in February and March and by May and June, the herds will be enjoying the green grasses of central and western Serengeti near Lake Victoria.
At the beginning of July, the migration will be marching toward northern Serengeti and the Masai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya. The journey will begin again in mid-October, returning to the southeast Serengeti via the central and western areas of the park. While, this is the general pattern of the migrating herds, this amazing journey covering approximately 2000km (1000m), is based on the localized rain pattern.
The Migration a safari in Tanzania | Conclusion
So, that is our blog post today, "The Migration a safari in Tanzania" from Augustine’s Adventure Africa (AA Africa). We have to admit that our words and images will not do "the greatest show on Earth"any justice.
You just have to come and see it and experience for real for yourself. So please do not hesitate to contact US at you earliest convenience to start this vacation of a life time.
Augustine Minja
Owner & Travel Consultant.
