Why Does the Great Migration Happen Every Year?
The Great Migration is one of the most awe-inspiring natural phenomena on this planet-the one that happens yearly across the Tanzanian-Sudanese Serengeti ecosystem and the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. An amazing journey that aims to include more than 1.5 million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of other zebras and gazelles traveling around almost a circular route of about 1,800 miles. The cause of such migration can easily be understood. It is simply for survival. Here, let us see how and why it happens every year and what to expect at one of the most iconic stages of this-the Mara River crossing.
Reasons Behind Great Migration
Primarily on the hot and rainy seasonal cycles during the yearly course, and therefore, the Great Migration ties all animals within the plains having permanent water and food as resources.
Search for Pastures at Fresh Locations
Wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles are essentially grazers dependent on the pompous grasses that appear from time to time in the rain. Herbs dry up in one place when rains stop and then herd automatically moves to the location that is with fresh grass.
Ingrained Instinct for Survival
The migration is heavily wired into the behavior of animals, following the centuries of evolution and learning. Animal movement is not erratic, but very much identifiable due to the history and predictability of the route across the Serengeti-Masai Mara ecosystem.
Breeding and Calving Seasons
The migration is also associated with the life cycle of the wildebeest. Southern plains between January and March, during the rainy season, represent calving season among these animals. During the rainy season, grass, and therefore milk, help mothers and their young ones. After this season, animals begin to move toward northern ground in search of survival.
Survival of Ecosystem
Migration is not important for the Wildebees; it is also the migration of all ecosystems. Lions, cheetahs, and crocodiles are predators that feed on herds. The herds also graze and fertilize soils, thus important in maintaining the grassland.
What to Expect When Reaching the Mara River Crossing
The most extravagant event and the one which everyone is looking forward to during the entire Great Migration is the crossing over to the Mara River. This is normally between July and October when the herds return from the Serengeti in Tanzania to Masai Mara in Kenya. Here are some of the things to expect:
- A demonstration of Nature
One of nature’s greatest dramas with intensity, unpredictability, and instincts of raw survival-the Mara River crossing. At the riverbanks, thousands gather before deciding whether or not they should cross the line. In the end, the animals will move forward, out of instinct to follow the herd.
- Predators in Prowl
The most dangerous part of this journey involves crocodiles lurking in water to ambush their prey. These reptiles can weigh more than 1,500 pounds. Watching a crocodile taking down a wildebeest is both chilling and awe-inspiring and a synonym for the raw power of nature.
On land, predators such as lions, leopards, and hyenas take advantage of the confused herds. The river-crossing takes form and becomes a hunting ground for these opportunistic predators, adding to the drama.
- stampedes and crazy thing
These herds across often create what would be called a stampede with panic, and the sheer strength of thousands of creatures moving together causes almost a need and uncertainty as the scene unfolds. In some cases, animals are tripped over, others become food for predators, thereby enforcing this action which has the impact of survival of the fittest.
- The Scenic Beauty of the Masai Mara
Aside from the river action, the landscape surrounding the Masai Mara is most breathtaking with rolling savannahs dotted with acacia trees giving a stunning backdrop to the unfolding drama at the Mara River. Photographers and wildlife fans come here not only for the migration but also for the sheer beauty of the ecosystem.
- 5. The Great Bird Numbers
Often through the crossing, the river would see a large diversity of birds including scavengers-in-construction, vultures, and marabou storks, among feeding off carcasses and commodities from their crossing. Their cleaning contribution to the whole ecosystem gives an additional fantastic dimension of the event.
Best Ways to Witness the Mara River Crossing
Timing Your Visit
This phenomenon spans from July to October, in general. Specific timing varies with the rains; hence, flexibility is necessary when planning trips. August and September should be regarded in general terms as the peak months for the event.
Choosing the Right Spot
Not all such points along the Mara River usually attract action from crossing. Experienced local guides lead guided safaris to vantage points where one would get to witness a lot of action.
Booking a Safari Camp or Lodge
It is best to stay at camps or lodges near the Mara River, which puts you at the heart of the action. There are options for a luxury experience and mobile camps to offer front-row viewing during this migration.
Take a Hot Air Balloon Safari Consider a Hot Air Balloon Safari-hot air balloon safaris offer a way to view the migration from above, altitudinally, during which mammals are viewed on the plains traveling to and from their water source. Although it will not put you close to the action at the river itself, you will enjoy a wonderful panoramic view from above.
Photography Techniques
Carry a telephoto lens along with you to take photos from a distance because animals are very leisurely in coming out. A little patience could often mean waiting for hours until the animals finally move.
This great event happens every year and is like proof of the fine balance of nature: the search for food water and survival. One of the key features of migration is the Mara River. Here is where nature’s drama danger and beauty combine for all of us. Tourists would not find this as safaris; this is making the real exciting safari to be attending one of the most astonishing spectacles on Earth before a direct seat. With simple forward-thinking and right timing, the adventure that Great Migration offers will be captured as truly unforgettable with perfect wildlife alongside the raw force of nature in real action.
