When you hear of an event what comes into your mind? Is it a
football match between Chelsea and Manchester United, Boston Marathon, Kenya
wildlife marathon at Lewa wildlife conservancy? You could be right. Think deep
about wildlife Africa.
Did you ever know that every year Kenya hosts the world into a memorable
wildlife event between the months of July and October? A million or more wildebeest struggle to cross
the Mara River.
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| Wildebeest at a Kenya Wildlife Park |
This is not a circus; rather it is the “seventh wonder of
the world”. In this event about 1,700,000 wildebeests from Serengeti Tanzania enter
into Kenya. They cross the crocodile infested Mara River to settle in Masai
Mara National Reserve. Needless to say, they don’t need passport or visa. Food
and accommodation will absolutely be free for them during their stay.
Accompanying them would be about 300,000 zebra, 12,000
eland, 400,000 Thompson gazelle, topi and many more others in the race for
greener pastures. If you are planning to go to Africa for a Kenya safaritour, then, this is it. You may have seen it in the movies and
documentaries, but, I encourage you to put on the shoes of a doubting Thomas
until you see it with your own eyes.
You may ask, “What about the predators……lion, cheetah, hyena
or even leopard?” Just like in the time of Pharaoh and the Israelites, the predators
too won’t stay and watch as their prey relocate to the Masai Mara. They too
will follow suit and so becomes a Kenya safari for the animals (would be eaten and the eaters) as
they meet at the Mara.
The incredible drama takes place by the Mara river, where
the crocodiles smile and salivate on seeing this assorted food stuff that is to
them like manna from heaven. The wildebeest and company then prepare to cross
the dangerous river. They gather as they overlook the green savannah on the
other side of the river. I could almost hear them sing this Jim Reeves song…
Across the bridge, there’s no more sorrow
Across the
bridge there’s no pain
The sun will shine across the river
And you’ll never be
unhappy again…
This is the scene worth to behold. The animals gather randomly
in groups and seem to argue in silence amongst themselves on who should lead
the way. Would it papa wildebeest, papa zebra, mama wildebeest or mama zebra? A
very difficult decision to make. No one wants to be prey to the hungry
crocodiles, be the stampede or be carried away by the strong current and don’t
forget lions could be waiting on the other side. It will be a new life for
those who will make it across. After all it is not all of them who will. It’s a
whole new beginning across the river; maybe to them it’s the land that flows
with milk and honey, the Promised Land but a sacrifice had to be made.
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| Zebra staring at a sleeping lion |
Stanley is a safari driver guide
