Masai Mara and Serengeti Safari - Experience the Great Wildebeest Migration Firsthand

The great wildebeest migrationThe name Mara, meaning "spotted" in the Maasai
If you are an African safari enthusiast, then thelanguage, relates to the park's landscape, patched
great wildebeest migration is an event thatwith acacia and thorn bushes.
perhaps needs no introduction. This annualGetting to Masai Mara
phenomenon occurs in the grassy plains of MasaiMasai Mara is situated about 168 miles from
Mara game reserve in Kenya and SerengetiNairobi, the capital city of Kenya. You can travel
national park in Tanzania and is undoubtedly theto Masai Mara both by road and flights. With a
main attraction of a Masai Mara safari. The eventgood four-by-four (4x4 vehicle), you'll take about
is so exhilarating that it has been dubbed the6 hours from Nairobi owing to the rough roads.
greatest wildlife spectacle in the world, and alsoDuring the rainy season (mostly April to May),
one of the most spectacular natural events.road trips are not very advisable since the roads
Every year, around the months of July tobecome almost impassable.
November, an approximated 2 million wildebeestMany visitors who want to avoid the rough roads
and zebras cross from Serengeti into the Mara inopt to take flights to Masai Mara during a tour to
search of greener pastures owing to weatherthe reserve. Unfortunately, this means the safari
season changes.becomes more expensive and the traveler misses
During the migration, African lions and numerousout on some of the thrill of traveling in African
other predators like cheetahs, leopards, hyenasbush country. There are several airlines offering
and jackals follow the herbivores closely, waitingdaily scheduled flights from Nairobi to the Mara - a
for a chance to strike the weak and tired prey,45 minutes flight.
leading to many dramatic events during theSerengeti Safari
migration. It is not always possible to preciselyLike the Masai Mara, Serengeti national park
predict when the migration will take place as itsboasts an abundant population of wildlife and is an
timing varies every year. However, June throughexcellent game viewing safari all year round. The
August is often the best period to observe thename Serengeti comes from the Masai word
migration when the wildebeest assemble in"Siringit" meaning unending plains - aptly describing
preparation to cross the Grumeti River. At times,the open grassy plains that make up the national
they arrive in Maasai Mara as early as July. Mostpark. Serengeti remains one of the top safari
other times, the usual arrival time is betweendestinations in Tanzania travel, alongside
August and September after which the animalsNgorongoro Conservation Area, Selous game
remain in the Mara till November before graduallyreserve, and Lake Manyara national park.
beginning their journey back to SerengetiGetting to Serengeti
between December and January.Serengeti is accessible both by flight and by road.
Masai Mara SafariThere are quite a number of travel agencies and
Many visitors prefer to organize their Kenya safaritour operators in Tanzania that provide air safari
to coincide with the wildebeest migration in Masaipackages from Kilimanjaro International Airport in
Mara. However, the wildlife reserve remains aArusha to Serengeti. International travelers may
great destination any time of the year, with aalso arrive through Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta
very high density of African animal species andInternational Airport, then connecting to Serengeti
bird life. Very few other African game parks andby road or air. This option is popular as it gives
reserves can rival the game watching experienceyou a chance to tour both Masai Mara and
tourists get at the Mara.Serengeti.