Have you ever thought of the wildebeest migration among the world’s wonders? We can obtain reliable data to prove this topic through many published articles and journals. It has been known by many as the most significant migration of mammals on the planet, and many have flocked to the Serengeti National Park and Maasai Mara Game Reserve to witness this phenomenon. Below, we share 8 facts that agree with the world beast migration from Serengeti to Maasai Mara, being the 8th wonder of the world.
Reasons for the world beast migration from Serengeti to Maasai Mara being the 8th wonder of the world
- It is the most remarkable mammal migration.
It is the most remarkable mammal migration on the land of astonishing dimensions. The sheer quantity of unique wildlife that makes up this Exodus safaris is unmatched by any other spectacle. It is unlike anything you have seen—a seething, stunning mass of activity. Anyone lucky enough to witness it will remember it for a long time as it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Many terrestrial grassland animals are involved in the migration in search of water and greener pastures. Annually, over 1.5 million wildebeest, 300,000 zebra, and thousands of gazelles and impalas migrate in an enormous clockwise loop through the vast grassland in East Africa. This epic phenomenon is an eternal loop witnessed at any time of the year. It occurs all year round, the eters, including dangerous rivers such as the Mara River. More than 250,000 Wildebeest difference being the location of their movement. The migration is approximately 800 kilomest and 30,000 Zebra are murdered yearly due to this exhausting and risky journey, which is fraught with hazards along the route, including giant stampedes, various predators, not to mention their desire for water, and frequently just simple tiredness.
- It is not just the wildebeest.
While many know of the famous wildebeest being the central migrants in the event, other wild animals such as the Thompson’s gazelles, eland, impalas, and zebras are also part of the phenomenon migration. These herbivores cohabit together as they eat different parts of the same kind of vegetation. For example, one group eats the top of the tallest grass, and the next group has some medium-height vegetation until finally, the vegetation is completely eaten. Also, during the migration, large groups of predators such as lions, cheetahs, crocodiles, wild dogs, crocs, and hyenas follow the herds for food.
- You can witness the start of new lives.
This phenomenon occurs during the calving season. The calving season is regarded as one of alving season, approximately 8,000 every day, which mostly takes place in the Serengeti National the best sceneries to watch during this migration. It occurs in January and February, and one can witness the creation of life by visiting the plains. Approximately half a million wildebeest calves are born in the c Park in Tanzania. The calves can walk as soon as they are born to keep up with the herds. Compared to other ungulates, a baby wildebeest develops synchronization more quickly and often stands up two to three minutes after conception. At five minutes, it can sprint with the herd, and shortly after that, it can outpace a lioness. This circle of life is seen in the mammals in the migration and is often threatened by predators. These young calves are the most vulnerable animals of the migration herds. Only one in three calves will make it back to the Serengeti’s southern plains alive annually.
- There is more to the migration.
Besides the beautiful scenery of the wildebeest migration, you can be assured of a breathtaking adventure. The migration is well-known for its magnificent scenery and extraordinary animals, from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara, which include various grassland mammals present in the migration, such as lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, and gazelles. With a good tour operator in Africa, on the vast Serengeti plains or in the speckled Masai Mara, tourists may witness the majestic phenomenon of the Great Migration. Also, local communities surround the game reserves and parks, such as the Maasai, where you experience an exciting and different culture. These communities bring excitement as their traditions and history are made part of the adventure, and one gets to experience and understand other cultural practices of other communities. Also, the game parks’ specular accommodation options offer to spice up the adventure and state-of-the-art lodges to authentic camping opportunities.
- It is unique
It is unique in that it occurs between two neighboring countries, Kenya and Tanzania. To view this migration, one has to visit the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and the Masai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya. Unfortunately, they border each other, and visiting one park doesn’t necessarily mean you will get direct access to the other. Also, one can experience a once-in-lifetime adventure and witness several breathtaking events during the migration, such as the Mara River crossing and the calving season. One of the most interesting facts about the wildebeest migration is that there is no natural leader that the herd follows. Despite running in different large groups, they all move in the same direction. It is mainly believed that their migration s dictated by their response to the weather following the rains and new vegetation growth, which attracts tourists and makes the migration interesting as these animals’ movement is majorly coordinated through their instincts.
- The Mara crossing
The Mara River crossing is one of the significant sceneries the wildebeest migration offers. It mainly involves the mammals crossing the treacherous Mara River along the border of Kenya and Tanzania, which presents a dangerous river crossing that challenges the mammals’ chances of survival in the migration. The Mara River is the boundary between the two countries, hence the term “The crossing.” A large part of this river is in Tanzania, but one would not want to miss the remarkable wildebeest crossing in the Mara River infested with hungry crocodiles and hippo predators. Tens of thousands of wildebeest converge at the Mara River and congregate while preparing to cross. Days might pass as expectation develops and their numbers increase, yet frequently, for no apparent cause, they leave and stray from the edge of the river. The wildebeest will ultimately select a crossing place, which can change from season to season and cannot be accurately anticipated.
Most of the mammals lose their lives in this crossing, as the crocodiles mainly devour the calves and the other mammals that are weak and do not have luck reaching the other side of the river due to exhaustion. Also, at the other end of the shore are the pride of lions that await the mammals to cross. Each year, thousands of wildebeest perish. Even though such catastrophes would seem to be a catastrophe for the wildebeest, they only account for a small percentage of the hundreds of thousands of offspring born yearly. The scenery is one of the most anticipated by tourists as it is a life-and-death spectacle that leaves travelers with unforgettable recollections.
- Serengeti is one of the oldest ecosystems in the world.
It is in this national park that the wildebeest migration begins. The Serengeti National Park hosts the globe’s oldest ecosystem. The most important scenes of climate, vegetation, and fauna have barely changed in the past million years. It is home to different vegetation types and animals that individuals cannot find anywhere on the earth. As the seasons change, the wildebeest migrate in large numbers in search of new grazing. For millions of years past and most likely for millions more, it has been a never-ending loop for each passing year. Due to this natural occurrence, Serengeti Ecosystem is now among the planet’s oldest ecosystems. There is also the existence of human fossils in Olduvai Gorge about 2 million years ago. Also, some life, death, adaptation, and migration designs are as old as the hills.
Moreover, black rhinos may be seen in Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti National Park. One of the planet’s ancient species of animals is the black rhino, which is at risk of extinction. Therefore, we may infer that these animals have existed in the Serengeti Ecosystem for a very long time since it is one of the only areas where it is inevitable that one would witness these seldom seen species.
- The 800-kilometer full cycle
Guided by their migration instinct, each wildebeest will cover over 800 kilometers on its movement along the migration routes. Although the migration occurs in a clockwise direction between Kenya and Tanzania, most of the movements are in Tanzania, specifically the Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Loliondo Game Controlled Area, and Grumeti Reserve. It is assumed that migration begins during the calving season when the calves are sired, hence noted to start at the beginning of the year.
In this article, we can conclude that the wildebeest migration from Serengeti to Maasai Mara should be regarded as the world’s eighth wonder based on the data mentioned above. Therefore, you should not miss the opportunity to witness this phenomenon and get the experience of a lifetime.
