Page 19 - BBC Wildlife Volume 36 #02

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AD VER T ISEMEN T F EA TU RE

THE GREATEST

SHOW ON EARTH

Witness one of the planet’s most stirring
natural phenomena on an Asilia Africa
mobile migration camp

The earth vibrates with the thundering so the cycle continues, with the wildebeest
of millions of hooves as heaving herds of constantly on the move in search of food.
wildebeest, zebra and gazelles fill the plains, But the migration isn’t only about placidly
chasing the rains in the epic annual struggle grazing herds as far as the eye can see
for survival known as The Great Migration. (although it is a magnificent spectacle).
It’s a natural spectacle like no other, and a The time of year you choose to go on your
life-changing experience to witness. migration safari will influence what you’re
The wildebeest follow an age-old route likely to see.
across the plains of the Masai Mara in Kenya, Between June and November, for instance,
south into Tanzania, through the Serengeti the herds are usually moving from the
and almost all the way to the Ngorongoro Masai Mara into the Northern Serengeti. The
Crater. The route remains unchanged, but the wildebeest cross the Mara and Talek rivers,
timing can vary from year to year. where hungry crocodiles with snapping jaws
Thankfully, Asilia Africa makes it easy to lie in wait in the shallows.
stay close to the action whenever it occurs. Its December and March herald calving
three mobile migration camps move location season, where the herds begin to give birth,
up to three times a year to ensure they en masse, at an impressive rate. An estimated
are located in the best possible position to 500,000 calves are born during a 2-3 week
witness The Great Migration. period, which in turn attracts a staggering
The rains heavily dictate the progression of number of predators, eager to prey on the
the herds. In fact, it’s said that the wildebeest vulnerable newborns.
can sense the arrival of the rains from 50km Be sure to check out Olakira Camp, Ubuntu
away. The rains will in turn yield fresh, new Camp, and Kimondo Camp, and include at
shoots and optimal grazing for the herds, and least one in your next trip to East Africa!

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EXPERIENCE NOW AT
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