THE GREAT MIGRATION

The Great Wildebeest Migration

The precise timing of the Wildebeest Migration changes annually and it is a very unpredictable and spontaneous natural event.

The calving season takes place in the Serengeti between the months of January and mid-March before the Wildebeest Migration begins heading towards western Serengeti in June.


The best time to see the migration is usually between June and August when the wildebeest congregate and prepare to cross the famous Grumeti River (Tanzania). If you are in the Masai Mara you can expect the wildebeest to make their arrival as early as July, but they generally arrive between August and September and remain in the Mara between October and November. There are a few excellent camps in this area where you can stay to witness this natural phenomenon. Bushbuck Adventures also provides tented camps around the area of the migration routes during this migration period.

Between December and January the wildebeest gradually begin their migration back towards the Serengeti Plains in Tanzania.

The Wildebeest Migration is a dramatic story

The Wildebeest Migration is one of the WONDERS OF THE WORLD.

It takes place within Kenya and Tanzania and is the greatest wildlife show on earth.

Between the open plains of the Serengeti and the Masai Mara, thousands of wildebeest and zebras migrate to greener pastures as the seasons change and the circle of life and death continues.

Predators, like lions follow the Wildebeest Migration closely, waiting for an opportunity to strike weak prey as they make their way into different territories.

We believe that going on safari to view & witness the Wildebeest migration is one of the ultimate safari experiences that Africa has to offer.

Please note this is a general description of the migration cycle. The timing of the migration is spontaneous and unpredictable.

KARIBU MASAI MARA (Welcome to the Masai Mara)

King of The Jungle

 LION | ‘King of the Jungle’

The lion (Panthera leo) is one of the four big cats. Some males exceeding 250 kg (550 lb) in weight, it is the second-largest living cat after the tiger.Wild lions currently exist in Sub-Saharan Africa and in Asia.

Lions live for 10 - 14 years in the wild, while in captivity they can live longer than 20 years. In the wild, males seldom live longer than 10 years, as injuries sustained from continual fighting with rival males greatly reduce their longevity. They typically inhabit savanna and grassland, although they may take to bush and forest. Lions are unusually social compared to other cats. A pride of lions consists of related females and offspring and a small number of adult males. Groups of female lions typically hunt together, although they also scavenge. Lions are keystone predators, meaning if lions were to disappear, populations of the species they prey on would increase dramatically. The result would be excessive competition for food between the prey species, and also between these prey species and livestock.

Highly distinctive, the male lion is easily recognised by its mane, and its face is one of the most widely recognised animal symbols in human culture. It has been extensively depicted in sculptures, in paintings, on national flags, and in contemporary films and literature.

In Africa lions were seen as chiefs. The claws and teeth of any lion killed were placed in the grave of a chief. This ensured that the chief’s spirit would come back as a lion, to protect the land and control the crops and animals fertility.

Lions enjoy almost an entire full day’s rest of 18-20 hours of sleep per day.

Sleeping lion

Lion cubs have an advantage since they have an extended family to protect and aid in raising them. “Maturity” of the cubs is attained by 3-4 years of age; however, they continue to grow until they are 6 years of age. By 3 years, most males are driven off to join up with another pride or create their own.

One of the ways that the pride strengthens its bond is through roaring. Roaring also serves as a function to establish territorial rights and it allows stray members to re-establish contact.

Another way in which a pride distinguishes itself is through scent marking. This is done by claw marking trees, rubbing their cheeks/jaws on objects and/or defecating and urinating on surroundings.

MASAI MARA LION

The Masai Mara National Reserve is a landscape of diverse habitats rich in nomadic herds of zebra, gazelle and with wildebeest numbers estimated to run into millions. It’s perfect lion country, Masai Mara, Kenya. It’s about 1,500 sq. km and home to about 500 lions in over 20 prides.

Musiara Gate - Masai Mara Game Reserve

Bushbuck Adventures at Musiara Gate - Masai Mara Game Reserve

Bushbuck Adventures at Musiara Gate - Masai Mara Game Reserve

The Musiara Marsh is home to one of the most popular prides, the marsh pride, (Big Cat Live, BBC).

In the dry season , the marsh attracts animals from the plains coming to feed and drink. This dense reed-beds provide the ideal cover for hunting.

As with all lions, the females of the pride do all the hunting, while the males sleep and yet get the first pick of the dinner (lion’s share). But the lion is the defender of the pride’s territory from invaders, so they do have a major role.

Lion prides can number upto 40 animals, where the male lion will weigh close to 189kg on average, and the female 126kg. Lions have about 14years lifespan in the wild.

Lions in the Masai Mara are the dominant predators/killers. They typically prey on zebra, wildebeest and gazelle, though they will also attack buffalo, hippo and giraffe.

Lions may be Kings of the Masai Mara, but they don’t have it all their way. Hunting can be treacherous and injuries lethal. Only 1 in 5 attempts will end in a kill.

Buffalos are also a regular menace in the Masai Mara to the lions because of its size and power which poses a danger, although occasionally the buffalo will be a meal.

DID YOU KNOW…

·         Male lions are also called tom. This is where the saying "Tom Cat" comes from. Female lions are called a lioness or she-lion. Baby lions are called cubs, whelps or lionets.

·         Live to be about 15 years old in the wild and longer while in captivity.

·         Can run up to 50 mile per hour but only for a very short distance.

·         Are born blind and do not open their eyes for a couple of weeks.

·         A lion’s roar can be heard up to 8 kilometers away - it’s the loudest of any big cat.

·         Lions are most active at night and prefer to hunt at this time, as their eyes are 6 times more sensitive to light than ours.

·         In a single sitting an adult may consume up to 30 kilograms of meat (a wildebeest weighs about 200 kilograms).

·         Lions are the only big cats to hunt cooperatively, herding prey towards an ambush.

·         Lions also scavenge for food, and will frequently steal the kills of other predators.

·         When they are awake, the lion’s speed ranges from a run at 35 mph for short distances (500 meters) to a 3-4 mph walk.

ECOTOURISM

Ecotourism Kenya

Ecotourism Kenya promotes responsible tourism practices within the tourism industry. This entails encouraging:

• ·        the adoption of best practices in the use of tourism resources
• ·        working with local communities
• ·        managing wastes and emissions
• ·        protection of the environment

Bushbuck Adventures’ managing director is certified by Travelife Sustainable Tourism. Travelife is a firm that promotes sustainability in tourism.

In order to bring together conservation, communities and responsibility, tourism has to be practiced and local cultures preserved to ensure equity among all stakeholders.

The principles of Ecotourism are:

·        Environmental protection

Bushbuck Adventures practices activities that support the conservation of the environment. By using solar charged lamps, we protect the environment from harmful emissions and toxins. This helps the environment to revamp itself.

Solar lamps and torches

solar lamps and torches

·        Protection and promotion of local cultures

 Tourism relies heavily on its immediate environment. Part of the environment is the community within which companies like Bushbuck ply their trade.

Bushbuck Adventures has employed young maasai men (moran) from the surrounding Aitong Hills in the Masai Mara who work at the camp and earn a living, as well as educate the visiting interested tourists about their Maasai cultural practices and beliefs.

Bushbuck prides itself in providing tourism activities that benefit the local culture and its environs.

·        Economic benefits to the local community

A fair share of the proceeds that Bushbuck accrues is used in promoting the society. Bushbuck Adventures has a proposed water project, participated and sponsored a car in the Rhino Charge challenge, which was part of raising finances for fencing the Aberdares National Park, participating in the Lewa Marathon and now is active in participating and giving some sponsorship to the MASAI MARA MARATHON set for 19^th November, 2011.

BUSHBUCK ADVENTURES CARES!

Promote responsible tourism practices

Destination across valleys and plains

On the morning of 2^nd September, 2011, Bushbuck Adventures heads to a beautiful scenic part of Nairobi, Karen, to a home where we are welcomed with such grace. Bags packed in the van, clients on board with their friends from the U.K.; destination the Masai Mara.

Nairobi in our background we turn off at Limuru. Located at the edge of the Rift Valley, about 48 kilometers (30 miles) from Nairobi, Limuru town is known for its tea production and being the center of the Bata Factory, as well as having a great number of donkeys so don’t be surprised if you see so many by the road. Limuru being at the edge of the Great Rift, we stopped at one of the escarpment view points for a picturesque view of the Rift Valley.

Shops at the view point

The Great Rift Valley

Samson - The Guide

The view point(s) have several snack and curio shops where one could purchase snacks, drinks or memorabilia.

Ten minutes of rest and we were off again heading to Mai Mahiu, which is Kikuyu and means ‘hot water’. The origin of the name came from the hot- water springs around the area.

The road trip to the Masai Mara has one travelling across three major provinces in Kenya; Nairobi, Central and Rift valley provinces. A real and educational safari, as Samson gave informative facts about the areas we passed through.

Narok was the next stop, where ‘the team’ had lunch. Narok, a maasai name meaning ‘black water’, is a town west of Nairobi and was given the name because of the dark coloured Enkare Narok River that cuts across the town.

The terrain of the road changes as the setting enriches, so a change of vehicle was necessary to a roof-hutched land cruiser.

On the way to the Bushbuck Mara Camp, one is marvelled by the landscape and animals.

Late afternoon, under the trees, Bushbuck Mara Camp appears.

”Karibu” were the words uttered by the Bushbuck camp attendants, welcoming everyone with a glass of fresh juice.

A deep breath of fresh air, sight of the open and beautiful land, animals, birds and flora…away from the hassle and bustle of the ‘concrete jungle’ this is the real jungle, the Masai Mara.

Bushbuck Mara Camp