Masai Mara: The Great Migration

 What a show! On our drive into the Mara on July 19th, we pulled into a river overlook to check on some hippo action. There were probably forty hippos in two groups hanging out in the river. That is when we noticed a small herd of wildebeest come to the edge of the cliff. Could we be so lucky as to see one of the famous crossings of the Great Migration? A large crocodile swimming silently in the murky water sure hoped so. 

  It looked like the wildebeest lacked the necessary bravery to attempt the crossing. Then a huge, loud fight broke out amongst the larger group of hippos. The water suddenly turned into a churning mass of whitewater and hippos running at and away from each other. Then, for some reason, the herd of wildebeest moved along the shoreline, much closer to the group of hippos, who were now quieting down again. Still looking like they needed an extra push, they got it when a second group of wildebeest came rushing over and down the cliff. This was the bravery they needed and the crossing began. Every single wildebeest made it and the crocodile was left empty handed.... this time. 

   We kept checking back at the crossing spots throughout our four days in the Mara. We did see a small group of six zebras bravely cross at the same spot. But it wasn't until the last morning that we got a really big, all out crossing. 

   We had seen a massive line of wildebeest coming down a big hill on the far side of the river earlier that morning. So on our way back from an epic leopard encounter we check on the herd's progress. I was excited to see them milling about right on the edge of the cliff, overlooking the river. It did not look like an easy place to cross. They proceeded to show me just how much the instinct to cross and find new grass is, when they launched down the steep embankment. The dust kicked up in the morning light and provided a beautiful contrast to the chaotic scene. 

  We ended up watching around fifteen hundred wildebeest make it down the hill, launch into the river, and noisily make it up and over the cliff on our side. They seemed pretty calm as they continued their march into the grasslands behind us. Here are a few of the photos from these amazing experiences.