Ins and outs of the mara river crossing in Serengeti
Ins and outs of the mara river crossing in Serengeti
Ins and outs of the mara river crossing in Serengeti : The Great Migration also known as the annual wildebeest migration is a continuous migration of wildebeests in company of zebras and gazelles in search of green pastures in the larger Serengeti and Mara Ecosystems, this annual migration includes the dramatic crossing of the Mara River which is the most sought for episode of the whole migration.
The Mara River is a meandering river winding through the northern Serengeti, Tanzania and South of Maasai Mara national reserve in Kenya. The dramatic Mara River Crossing can be observed between June and October as the herds move from the South (Tanzania) to the north (Kenya) and back again
The tourist season in Serengeti national park for the Serengeti Mara River crossing peaks from late July to September, in this period the density of tourists in Serengeti national park is 3-4 times lower than in the famous Masai Mara national reserve. Sometimes, with a little knowledge and luck one can find themselves along with crossing herds in Serengeti national park.
In Serengeti national park, this awe-inspiring spectacle (Mara River Crossing) is observed along the Mara River from with the Kogatende (Southern) or Lamai (Northern) side along 12 main crossing points.
Note: wildebeests may decide to cross anywhere, thus there are many intermediate places along the river one can observe.
Just to point out: the views from Lamai side are more dramatic and spectacular when massive herds migrate northwards.
Regular sighting of the Mara River Crossing includes spotting or getting information on which crossing point herds gathered a day before, then position your vehicle at a safe distance from the bank of the river (approximately 20-100 meters depending on the place) in the shade of trees.
The waiting period ranges from a few minutes to several hours. Despite several thousand gnu moving right on the bank of the Mara, the river crossing may not happen at all.
Observation of the Mara River Crossing can be sometimes nerve-wracking and not to everyone’s taste, most especially when tens of safari vehicle fight for the top spot along the banks of the river. The number of vehicles ranges from 1 to over 50 which is much less than the 100 – 150 reported in Masai Mara national reserve on the same crossings.
The wildebeests’ decision to cross Mara River may sometimes take hours, thus patience is a must for anyone who wants to witness this incredible marvel of nature. Tourists must exercise high levels of discipline by remaining in the vehicle which is a key to not disturb the event, unfortunately this discipline is lately being violated by travelers. However efforts by Park Rangers and many conscious drivers/guides help to ensure that everyone can enjoy this natural scene with the least disruptions possible.
Once the crossing kicks off, an orderly and peaceful alignment along the river will result in an undisturbed, spectacular crossing that may last for hours – depending on the size of the herd.
You may witness wildebeests jump from the cliffs, crocodile attacks, massive clouds of dust raised by moving herd and all other sightings as seen on nature documentaries. Regardless of the level of drama you will witness, the memories of the unforgettable sound of thousands of wildebeests’ call will last forever. Taking photos and videos of this spectacular crossing is limitless.
For wildlife photography during the river crossing, there is no magic spot. There is always an empty place to park the vehicle allowing you to get angle for an interesting photoshoot.
Note: Some of the many award – winning phots from the Mara River Crossing were taken from what initially appeared to be a bad vantage point. During the migration, there may be the chaos of moving cars, but take a moment to admire and think about the photos you would like to take and then start documenting.
Every Mara River Crossing is different and can bring surprising sightings which are all unforgettable and amazing to witness.
Always remember – Mara River Crossing is part of the wilderness and sometimes crossings happen daily and sometimes days might go without it. To maximize our chances to see this astounding wildlife encounter, you are advised to stay for at least 3-4 days.
Important / useful points to note about the Mara River Crossing
- The most dramatic crossing points are #5 and #4, possibly #6
- The most picturesque is #2
- The most crowded points in the peak season are #3 to #7
- The most underrated points are #1, #9 -#12
Some of the most asked question about Mara River Crossing
Is the sighting of massive herds crossing the river guaranteed?
The answer is no, it is not guaranteed. However, combining a carefully selected camp, best guide and safari driver and an intimate knowledge of wildlife behavior combined with some luck can do the trick.
