| The Great Migration is without a doubt one of the | | | | facilities; among them Africa’s leading spotted |
| most spectacular wildlife shows on earth. It is a | | | | hyena research centre. |
| hair raising, breath taking and exhilarating battle of | | | | The Serengeti National Park, which was |
| survival taking place between the Masai Mara in | | | | established in 1951, is found to the north of |
| Kenya and the Serengeti in Tanzania. Here, an | | | | Tanzania. It is the country’s oldest and most |
| estimated two million wildebeest in search of | | | | famous wildlife sanctuary, and has been selected |
| water and pasture make this extra ordinary, | | | | as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Serengeti |
| dangerous journey. Extra ordinary as survival | | | | occupies a massive 14,763 sq km, and lies 335 |
| depends on reaching the other side and dangerous | | | | km from Arusha. Extending southwards from the |
| because every step they take could be their last. | | | | Kenyan border at the Mara, it is made up of |
| So wondrous is the migration that USA Today | | | | grassy plains, open savannah, acacia woodlands |
| voted to name it one of the New Wonders of | | | | and scattered riverine forests. |
| the World in 2006. | | | | Serengeti is derived from a Maasai word for |
| The Maasai Mara Game Reserve is one of | | | | “endless plains”. To the south of the park, |
| Africa’s greatest wildlife safari destination, | | | | the endless savannah is punctuated by a series of |
| covering 1,510 sq km. Masai Mara is located along | | | | granite Kopjes -rocky outcrops, some of which |
| the Great Rift Valley, approximately 360 km | | | | feature ancient African rock paintings. The |
| southwest of Nairobi. “Mara” in the | | | | Seronera region in central Serengeti is the most |
| language of the Maasai people, who are native to | | | | accessible, and predictably the most popular. The |
| the region, means mottled- an allusion to the | | | | Grumeti River to the west is one of the animal |
| patchy landscape. Rolling hills, open savannah grass | | | | migration river crossings, and is an excellent |
| plains and woodlands define the area. | | | | location to witness the wildebeest hordes in |
| The Maasai are a pastoral tribes-people who live in | | | | motion. \ |
| southern Kenya and north-central Tanzania, along | | | | Lobo near the Kenyan border has plenty of |
| the Great Rift Valley plains. They are a fearless, | | | | wildlife during the dry season. Serengeti is a |
| proud, and freedom loving people, who live in the | | | | popular Tanzania Holiday safari destination. The |
| open wild, sharing their habitat with wildlife. The | | | | Mara and Serengeti are well serviced with a wide |
| tall, dark and slender Maasai have for long | | | | range of luxury to budget accommodation- |
| remained contemptuous of modern lifestyles. | | | | ranging from luxury bush lodges and safari tented |
| They have always infatuated romantic | | | | camps, to permanent and mobile camping grounds |
| westerners, since the appearance of explorer | | | | for the thrifty and adventurous. Out there in the |
| Joseph | | | | bush, you will be pleasantly surprised that there is |
| The Masai Mara Game Reserve is not only a | | | | a variety of Kenya safari lodge and Tanzania |
| leading Kenya Safari Holiday destination but it is | | | | safari lodges having all the trimmings of 5-star |
| also an excellent birdwatching destination, being | | | | luxury. |
| host to over 450 species of birdlife, including the | | | | You can view game while walking, horse riding and |
| vulture, marabou stork, secretary bird, hornbill, | | | | even aloft a hot air balloon. Taking a safari in |
| crowned crane, ostrich, long-crested eagle, and | | | | Africa is best done on an escorted Kenya and |
| pygmy falcon. | | | | Tanzania safari that includes- transport, guides, |
| The Masai Mara Game Reserve being a game | | | | park fees and accommodation. The tour guides |
| reserve, the Maasai peoples are allowed to | | | | are usually well versed about the animals, where |
| co-exist with the wildlife, unlike in national parks, | | | | to find them and how to get there, and have |
| where no human residents are allowed. The Mara | | | | other such useful local knowledge. But if you have |
| is a northern extension of Tanzania’s | | | | a lot of time and need more freedom as you get |
| Serengeti National Park.The Mara’s savannah | | | | around, then taking a rental car in Nairobi or |
| provides a magnificent backdrop for wildlife | | | | Arusha (Tanzania) is a viable option. |
| photography and movies. It is in fact the location | | | | On a safari to Africa, wear light cottons and linen. |
| of numerous wildlife documentaries and movies, | | | | Warmer clothing is needed for the evenings and |
| among the most celebrated being the popular | | | | for your early morning game drive. Some |
| BBC documentary series “Big Cat Diary” | | | | rainwear is advisable between March and June, |
| and Sydney Pollack’s Academy Award | | | | and October and December. You should bring |
| winning movie “Out of Africa”. | | | | along a decent pair of sunglasses. The glare you |
| Visitors are drawn to the Mara by its plentiful | | | | experience in bright tropical light is a new and |
| resident wildlife, and by the prospects of | | | | uncomfortable experience for most. It is also a |
| witnessing the annual wildebeest migration. Those | | | | good idea to carry a pair of binoculars. They are |
| coming between July and October are likely to | | | | very useful for spotting animals and will earn you |
| witness part of the action. Besides its pomp and | | | | the envy of your less informed fellow travellers. |
| glamour, the Mara has some outstanding research | | | | |