Click on the Photos to see the whole Picture.
The Main purpose of today's trip is to go to the river bank and see if we can get to see the Wildebeests crossing the river. This phenomenon is called the Migration. Every year during this season these animals cross over from one side of the river to the other side in huge numbers in search of greener pastures. One has to be lucky to see this phenomenon. We booked our Safari trip during this season by paying extra money to watch this Migration
So after we spotted the Elephants we went to a hill side where we stopped which they called Bush stop. From atop the hill we could see the river in a distance. After little rest all the vehicles started moving towards the river.
We could see the Wildebeest every where going in lines and dumb Zebras following them not knowing what is happening. Our guide told us that Wildebeests are bold and they can attack a Lion if they are in a group of even five or ten. But the 'Darpok' coward Zebras, even though much stronger will never attack a Lion even if they are twenty in number.
We were taken near the river which is a narrow strip of river water flowing . We are on a higher plane looking at the river down below.
We were told that Migration had happened the previous morning . Some times the number will be so huge it can take 2 hours for the animals to cross over.
The narrow river has lot of big Crocodiles huge ones. So the Wildebeest has to see if it is safe to cross and where it is safe to cross. So they keep looking and come back without deciding . We could see the movement of going forward and coming back. Our guide told us that if one bold Wildebeest decides to jump in the water, immediately all the others will follow. Many vehicles were waiting not knowing if they would cross.
A Single Male Impala . Looks like he is also watching the drama of Migration.
All the time we were to remain in the vehicle and not allowed to get out. we were taken near the water (small river not very wide) . We saw huge Crocodiles and also lots of Hippopotamus numbering about thirty or more. The trick for the Wildebeest is to cross the river without getting caught by the waiting Crocs.
Now all of us in so many vehicles are waiting and suddenly there is a huge commotion and one brave fella in the group has jumped and all the others start moving into water. John deftly takes our vehicle near the river bank so that we can see the Migration. We can clearly see the animals running in between some trees and getting into water and climb on to the other side. I keep praying all the Wildebeest should be safe and not get caught by Crocs. But John says if we are lucky we can see a kill. Oh No I don't want to see , I say without forgetting even the Crocs need to eat to survive.
Crossed
Amidst all this drama, some over enthusiastic visitors take their vehicles in between the migrating animals and they are disturbed and more than half run back without crossing. No zebra crosses the river as they are last in the queue. Many people get down to watch the migration. Good that we did not get down and did not do what we are not supposed to do thanks to our good guide.
It was very much like what we have seen in National Geography Channel and a dream come true situation watching the Migration.
We return to our lodge which is about 30 kms distance to have lunch with body aches because of the rough ride.
We are very happy. We were the only group who were lucky to witness the Migration.
We have lunch (of course Indian lunch that is why we booked through Indian travel agency) and after giving little bit rest to our back we go back into the wild in different route. It is drizzling. We want to see a Cheetah but could not. Looks like it is a Lion Day for us. We see a mother and cub and cub playing with mother from very close quarters.
Mother and Cub
We proceed further and suddenly see a Lioness sitting in a posture so as to kill a prey. It is sitting very intent. We see few Wildebeest in a group. They have sensed the lion and run away but not very far. I am sure it would have killed some prey but too many vehicles have come it might have got disturbed. So we move on no knowing whether the Lioness pounced.!
We started moving in some other direction and suddenly on the side grass we see a lioness walking majestically. Our Guide stops our vehicle (The Vehicle is a four wheel drive Nissan Patrol with a top which can be opened). He was the one who spotted this Lioness.
We see two cubs emerging from nearby Grass. it is so curious that both come near our van and looks at us. One of them comes on the road and sprawls. Mother is anxious and come near to see what is happening. The second cub comes and start playing with the sibling.. We are all watching quietly holding our breath. After some time both go away mother walking in the front into far off bushes.
The Cubs coming on to the road. Yes this is the road on which our vehicle moves.
The Vigilant Mother.
Into the Far off Bushes.
All this Drama finishes very fast. One has to be lucky to be in the right spot at the right time. That is why each group gets to see differently. One should never forget this is not a zoo and it is the Real Wild.
We see one more Male Lion sleeping by the side of the road. We stop the vehicle and start watching the Sleeping King. It turns and twists, but does not get up. He is sleeping on his back with his hind legs raised. Very funny to watch. Just like some human sleeping. We watch for a long time and I start feeling as if it is a human baby and feel like going and patting the sleeping Lion !!
It is time to be back. We see Hyenas and also vulture.
We see a Water buck on our way back and also a place which is dotted with Wildebeests.
Another kind of antelope. Water buck.
The Hyena.
The whole place dotted with Wildebeests.
It is time to say good bye to the vast number of Wildebeest and Zebras in Masai Mara. It is raining and they say it is a very good sign if it rains. We are back in the Lodge before it is dark.
All Photos are taken by my better half Doraiswamy.
The Main purpose of today's trip is to go to the river bank and see if we can get to see the Wildebeests crossing the river. This phenomenon is called the Migration. Every year during this season these animals cross over from one side of the river to the other side in huge numbers in search of greener pastures. One has to be lucky to see this phenomenon. We booked our Safari trip during this season by paying extra money to watch this Migration
So after we spotted the Elephants we went to a hill side where we stopped which they called Bush stop. From atop the hill we could see the river in a distance. After little rest all the vehicles started moving towards the river.
This is how we watched the animals.
We could see the Wildebeest every where going in lines and dumb Zebras following them not knowing what is happening. Our guide told us that Wildebeests are bold and they can attack a Lion if they are in a group of even five or ten. But the 'Darpok' coward Zebras, even though much stronger will never attack a Lion even if they are twenty in number.
The Wildebeest standing as if randomly but they are waiting in line to cross over.
Some Zebras can be spotted behind the Wildebeests.
We were taken near the river which is a narrow strip of river water flowing . We are on a higher plane looking at the river down below.
We were told that Migration had happened the previous morning . Some times the number will be so huge it can take 2 hours for the animals to cross over.
The River.
The narrow river has lot of big Crocodiles huge ones. So the Wildebeest has to see if it is safe to cross and where it is safe to cross. So they keep looking and come back without deciding . We could see the movement of going forward and coming back. Our guide told us that if one bold Wildebeest decides to jump in the water, immediately all the others will follow. Many vehicles were waiting not knowing if they would cross.
The Big Crocs.
The Hippos
The Hippos.
All the time we were to remain in the vehicle and not allowed to get out. we were taken near the water (small river not very wide) . We saw huge Crocodiles and also lots of Hippopotamus numbering about thirty or more. The trick for the Wildebeest is to cross the river without getting caught by the waiting Crocs.
Now all of us in so many vehicles are waiting and suddenly there is a huge commotion and one brave fella in the group has jumped and all the others start moving into water. John deftly takes our vehicle near the river bank so that we can see the Migration. We can clearly see the animals running in between some trees and getting into water and climb on to the other side. I keep praying all the Wildebeest should be safe and not get caught by Crocs. But John says if we are lucky we can see a kill. Oh No I don't want to see , I say without forgetting even the Crocs need to eat to survive.
The Migration Started, rushing in between trees.
THE Migration. Crossing the River.
Climbing on to the other Bank
Ah Reached Safely to the other side of the River.
Amidst all this drama, some over enthusiastic visitors take their vehicles in between the migrating animals and they are disturbed and more than half run back without crossing. No zebra crosses the river as they are last in the queue. Many people get down to watch the migration. Good that we did not get down and did not do what we are not supposed to do thanks to our good guide.
It was very much like what we have seen in National Geography Channel and a dream come true situation watching the Migration.
We return to our lodge which is about 30 kms distance to have lunch with body aches because of the rough ride.
We are very happy. We were the only group who were lucky to witness the Migration.
We have lunch (of course Indian lunch that is why we booked through Indian travel agency) and after giving little bit rest to our back we go back into the wild in different route. It is drizzling. We want to see a Cheetah but could not. Looks like it is a Lion Day for us. We see a mother and cub and cub playing with mother from very close quarters.
Mother and Cub
Play Time
Mother saying Nice kid.
We proceed further and suddenly see a Lioness sitting in a posture so as to kill a prey. It is sitting very intent. We see few Wildebeest in a group. They have sensed the lion and run away but not very far. I am sure it would have killed some prey but too many vehicles have come it might have got disturbed. So we move on no knowing whether the Lioness pounced.!
The waiting Lioness.
We started moving in some other direction and suddenly on the side grass we see a lioness walking majestically. Our Guide stops our vehicle (The Vehicle is a four wheel drive Nissan Patrol with a top which can be opened). He was the one who spotted this Lioness.
We see two cubs emerging from nearby Grass. it is so curious that both come near our van and looks at us. One of them comes on the road and sprawls. Mother is anxious and come near to see what is happening. The second cub comes and start playing with the sibling.. We are all watching quietly holding our breath. After some time both go away mother walking in the front into far off bushes.
Mother and Cubs
Cub
The Vigilant Mother.
The Cub sitting on the Road.
The other one also joins the Sibling.
Looks like Mother is signalling the kids to move.
One of the Cub is still reluctant to move.
All this Drama finishes very fast. One has to be lucky to be in the right spot at the right time. That is why each group gets to see differently. One should never forget this is not a zoo and it is the Real Wild.
We see one more Male Lion sleeping by the side of the road. We stop the vehicle and start watching the Sleeping King. It turns and twists, but does not get up. He is sleeping on his back with his hind legs raised. Very funny to watch. Just like some human sleeping. We watch for a long time and I start feeling as if it is a human baby and feel like going and patting the sleeping Lion !!
Sleeping Lion
Even though we are so near the Lion is still sleeping.
The Classic Posture.
Changed the sleeping posture.
It is time to be back. We see Hyenas and also vulture.
We see a Water buck on our way back and also a place which is dotted with Wildebeests.
Another kind of antelope. Water buck.
The Hyena.
The whole place dotted with Wildebeests.
It is time to say good bye to the vast number of Wildebeest and Zebras in Masai Mara. It is raining and they say it is a very good sign if it rains. We are back in the Lodge before it is dark.
All Photos are taken by my better half Doraiswamy.
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