The wildebeest migration from the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to the greener pastures of the Maasai Mara National Reserve is one of nature’s most spectacular event.
This high octane natural soap opera that involves 2 million wildebeest, antelopes and zebras occurs between July and October.
With the wildebeest migration imminent – a vital feature in Kenya’s tourism calendar and one of the new seven wonders of the world – there is anxiety over whether recent travel advisories by US, UK, France and Australia will discourage visitors from witnessing the spectacle at Kenya’s Maasai Mara.
Tourism officials are however upbeat about the numbers.
“We are well prepared for this annual event and looking forward to it. The recent travel advisories are unlikely to affect this Safari product,” Mureithi Ndegwa, Chief Executive of the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) told AFKInsider.
UK’s travel advice, for instance, is specific on areas that are a security risk to its citizens. Flagged areas include the entire border area between Kenya and Somalia, including the coastline of Mtwapa.
The US has also not issued any travel advisories to the Maasai Mara.
A spot check revealed that it is still early to tell with bookings within the Maasai Mara still insignificant, owing to the low season.
“The wildebeest migration is an international attraction that involves parks in both Kenya and Tanzania. Recent travel advisories are specific to Kenya’s coastal region and this is unlikely to affect Game tourism,” Robert Shaw, an economist and game safari enthusiast told AFKInsider in Nairobi.
“Any few cancellations that might happen during the migration will be compensated by local visitors, who usually find no spaces during the migration.”
Already, hotel keepers, tour operators, airlines and other players in the Wild Game tourism circuit are gearing up for the July-October season when the migration from Serengeti to the Mara and back, happens.
“It is beach tourism at the coast that has been badly hit by travel advisories, with some hotels already closed with no sign of opening even during the traditional high season,” said Shaw.
Kenya’s beach tourism is also faced with intense competition from other destinations that have similar offering, including Durban, Seychelles, Dubai and other attractions found in the Far East.
“Perhaps it is time for Kenya to reduce its reliance on beach tourism and have a much broader picture of what it can market. The coastal tourism circuit faces a bleak future and something must therefore be done to spruce up more offerings,” said Shaw.
Driven by their migration, the herd from Serengeti is soon crossing the edge of crocodile infested river Mara and any survivors must face the lion and cheetah family in the Maasai Mara. The cycle repeats itself each year as nature unveils in wonder and splendour. This year is no difference and Africa’ greatest migration promises not to disappoint.
Circuit Migration
At the beginning of each year, the wildebeest congregate on the southern fringes of the Serengeti. Being calving season, their numbers swell. Newborns are fascinatingly up and running within minutes.
At around April, the wildebeest begin their journey north funneling toward central and western Serengeti in May and June.
River crossings – the main attraction – take place in July as the wildebeest cross Mara River that’s infested with gigantic crocodiles into Kenya.
Those that avoid being munched up arrive at the Maasai Mara game reserve in Kenya where rains have already created huge spans of grazing areas. Here the wildebeest will stay until November rainfall tells them it is time to regroup and leave head southwards back towards the Serengeti.
Circuit Migration Source: GoToAfrica.com
