A VISIT TO MAASAI MARA

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Obviously, nature lives by its own timetable. This makes it difficult to know the exact dates that the migration would occur in any given year. However, the best months to view the migration in the Masai Mara are September and October. "Moreover, the best months for spotting wildlife in the Mara ecosystem is from June to October,” he said.

“Maasai Mara is home to some of the most diverse species of African wildlife,” he continued, and is also the site of the annual Wild beast migration, simply known as the 'Great Migration' of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem.

As you can see, the great herd of those wild beasts, Maasai Mara National Park, is famous for this migration, during which large herds of a million plus wild beasts, zebra, gazelles and other wild animals, including the Big Cats, migrate north into the Mara from Serengeti National Park.

"As I told you, the migration usually takes place between July to mid-September and involves the wild beast making dangerous crossings through crocodile-infested rivers,” he said.

“What is the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem and why do these animals migrate?” I asked the tour guide.

“Thank you. "That’s a very good question,” he said. “The Serengeti-Mara ecosystem is where two and a half million wild beasts, zebras and gazelles follow the rains in search of new grass every year. They make their way from Serengeti National Park in northern Tanzania to the Maasai Mara, and they usually cross into Kenya in July or early August.”

Although the timing is never guaranteed, August and September are the times you’re most likely to see the herds undertaking the famous crossing of the Mara River in Kenya. They slowly head back into the Serengeti around October.

The wild beast herds have moved into Kenya from Tanzania, currently down towards the Sand River in the southern part on the Maasai Mara. Loads of wild beasts are also in the Serengeti National Park.

Blue wild beast, tropical plain's zebra, and Thomson's gazelle migrate into and occupy the Maasai Mara game reserve from the Serengeti plains to the south and Loita Plains in the pastoral ranches to the North-East, from July to October or later. "Herds of all three species are also residents in the reserve,” he added.

“They are very many. "Can someone estimate their number please?” asked our Language teacher. His eyes sparkled with excitement.

“Wild beasts are the dominant inhabitants of the Maasai Mara, and their numbers are estimated at the millions. Around July of each year, these animals migrate north from the Serengeti plains in search of fresh pasture, and return to the south around October. "The Great Migration is one of the most impressive natural events worldwide,” he answered.

“And what are the other animals that are seen accompanying them?” I asked.

“They are called antelopes. They feel more secure from carnivores when accompanying them. Antelopes can be always be found, including grant’s gazelles, impalas, duikers and coke hartebeests.

As you can see from the other side, the plains are also home to the distinctive Masai giraffe. "The large roan antelope and the nocturnal bat-eared fox, which are rarely found elsewhere in Kenya, can be seen within the reserve borders,” he said.

As the truck moved nearer, the giraffes craned their tall necks upon us. The pupils were scared, but the tour guide assured us that giraffes are harmless animals. Behind them were ostriches which looked very huge. The truck moved closer but they began moving away.

“They resemble big hens,” Loi, one of the pupils, said.

“They are not hens but belong to bird species,” the tour guide said. More than four hundred and seventy species of birds have been identified in this park, many of which are migrants, with almost sixty species being raptors.

Birds that call this area home for at least part of the year include vultures, marabou storks, secretary birds, and hornbills, crowned cranes, ostriches, long-crested eagles, African pygmy-falcons and the lilac-breasted roller, which is the national bird of Kenya.

The good news is that most trackers and guides will make sure you don’t miss out on the colorful birds flying around you. You won't want to miss out on the bright green and yellow feathers of a Fischer’s Lovebird or the Kori Bustard. "The Mara-Serengeti ecosystem is an important area for habitat-based bird conservation,” he said.

“The Maasai Mara is also known for its impressive collection of raptors. There are fifty-seven different species flying around the area, such as the impressive Bateleur eagle. Bird watching is possible all year round, but it's at its best between November and April. "This is when the European migratory birds arrive as well,” he added.

It was already ten minutes past five o’clock. The setting sun was making its slow but sure progress towards the western horizon. Leaving the sky multi-coloured, it sunk reluctantly into the western horizon, gradually tinting the sky with darkness.

The tour guide advised us to go back and rest as we waited for the following day to visit other areas in the game reserve to see more other animals. Everyone was tired and some had sleepy eyes.

The momentous day was over and darkness was creeping invasionally. Mountain birds were heard chirping happily and lively to the tiring day. The warbler, the sunbird, the owls and even the doves took part in filling the evening air with music. Crickets were chirping their dull, monotonous, undirected voices.

Back in the boardrooms, we refreshed ourselves and were served a mouth-watering dish for supper and soft drinks. Without much to do, we rushed to our rooms for a night's rest.

We woke up early the following day. The morning was bright with sunrays striking through the window panes. Their radiance illuminated the whole boardroom. Meanwhile, a sweet aroma of meat wafted in the air.

The circumstances were very crucial as the balmy morning breeze forced me to sneeze heavily. For a few minutes, I stepped outside and sunbathed in the rays of the cruel splendidly rising sun. As I turned my neck to look around, at the other side, the language teacher was pointing at me with a stern face. I rose up quickly and went to prepare myself. I took a bath and then had my breakfast on time.

We assembled at the conference hall where, at eight o’clock, the truck would pick us up. The sun was rising in a pool of crimson and gold, spilling light all over the land and across the white scattered patches of clouds. Its golden glow spread across the sky as it chased the clouds away. The day seemed quite promising with the birds chirping in their worry-free world. Soon, the tour guide began briefing us.

“Today we will be visiting areas where the big five can be found. The Masai Mara is one of the best places on earth to spot most of the ‘Big Five’ while out on safari truck. In addition to the popular showstoppers, this part of the globe is home to some very spectacular-looking creatures that you may not have heard of.

Most travelers always dream of spotting the coveted 'Big Five'. Luckily, the lions, elephants, leopards and Cape buffalos are a relatively common sight in the Maasai Mara. Rhinos do occur but are tricky and most difficult to spot. The term 'Big Five' actually has a very dark origin. It has little to do with the size of these animals and everything to do with the difficulty in hunting them.

But nowadays, they are mostly sought after for a perfect capture. In addition to the 'Big Five', the Maasai Mara is home to an extraordinary variety of interesting animals. "Here's a quick glance at the most popular wildlife living in the Mara ecosystem,” he said.

Around the game reserve, we could see several types of animals from far away. Some were grazing happily while others waited patiently for their prey.

“All members of the Big Five: lion, African leopard, African bush elephant, African buffalo, black and white rhinos, are found here all year round,” he added. The population of black rhinos was fairly numerous until 1960, but was severely depleted by poaching in the 1970s and early 1980s, dropping to a low of fifteen individuals.

Numbers had been slowly increasing, though the population was still only up to an estimation of twenty-three in 1999. The Maasai Mara is the only protected area in Kenya with an indigenous black rhino population, unaffected by translocations, and due to its coverage area, is able to support one of the largest populations in Africa.

Hippos and Nile crocodiles are found in large groups in the Mara and Talek rivers. The plains between the Mara River and the Esoit Siria Escarpment are probably the best area for game viewing, in particular regarding lion and cheetah.

There are many large carnivores found in this game reserve. Lions are the most dominant and are found here in large numbers. Hyenas are other abundant carnivores here, often competing with lions for food.

Leopards are found anywhere in the reserve where there are trees for them to escape to. East African cheetahs are also found in high numbers in the open savanna, hunting gazelles and wild beasts.

African wild dogs are quite rare here due to the widespread transmission of diseases like canine distemper and the heavy competition they face with lions, who can often decimate their populations. Their packs roam around oftentimes and can move far distances throughout the plains, making it hard to track them.

"Smaller carnivores that don't directly compete with the latter include African wolves, black-backed jackals, African striped weasels, caracals, servals, honey badgers, aardwolves, African wildcats, side striped jackals, bat-eared foxes, striped polecats, African civets, genets, several mongoose species, and African clawless otters. ” he said. The blaze of gold in the sky had turned into a cover of coal. Thin streams of sweat washed down his face. With his palm, he wiped the sweat as it ran down on his cheeks. His whole body had lowered in sweat.

Suddenly, a lioness with her cub appeared beside us. The lioness roared vigorously. Fearfully, the voice pierced our ears down to our chests, leaving our lungs drumming as if they pleaded for safety. The roar was loud and terrifying, awakening a moment of rage and the literary hell broke loose.