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For other destinations and types of holiday, visit Kuoni
For other destinations and types of holiday, visit Kuoni 

Things to do in Kenya

Experience the Great Migration

It’s the largest mass movement of land animals on the planet and a phenomenon not to be missed….

By Daniel Heatly
Senior Product Executive for Alfred&

Come to the Maasai Mara to witness the greatest wildlife show on earth: the Great Migration. Picture swarms of wildebeest, accompanied by herds of zebra and antelope, making their 1,800-mile ancient pilgrimage from the Serengeti to the Mara and back again, following the rains and a promise of lush grasslands. It’s the largest mass movement of land animals on the planet and a phenomenon not to be missed.

The drama plays out in the Maasai Mara between July and late September, which is when huge herds of grazing beasts begin to flood the plains. Fly into the Musiara Airstrip or take a hot air balloon ride and you’ll get a bird’s eye view of the action, with snaking lines of wildebeest that resemble ants crawling across the savannah. It’s only from above that you can appreciate the sheer scale of the Great Migration, which can top two million wildebeest and up to 300,000 zebras.

Up close, it’s a mass of pounding hooves that stir up clouds of dust and shake the earth, a cacophony of bellowing calls and quiet stretches of peaceful grazing. Then you’ll notice the predators following this movable feast, the vultures swooping above, lions and cheetahs stalking through the tall grass and crocodiles protruding from the muddy waters of the Mara River. It’s here that your safari guide will park up the 4×4, so you can wait for that most coveted Great Migration spectacle: the river crossing.

Poised on the steep rocky banks, the pressure will build until the herd eventually plunges into the water. Fighting strong currents, they’ll make a frantic dash to the other side while trying to avoid the snapping jaws of crocodiles, as big cats wait patiently on the bank, ready to ambush the exhausted animals. It’s a nature documentary unfolding right before your eyes – there’s no surprise that the Great Migration is listed as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa.

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  • Places to go
  • Scenery
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Alfred & Daniel Heatly

Upon leaving university, Daniel blindly placed a pin into a map (we kid you not!) to select South Africa as the first destination he ever travelled to. This was the beginning of a 23 year love affair with African travel. Subsequent adventures have taken him to Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Zambia, meeting new people and discovering new experiences along the way.

Plan your holiday withAlfred&

Your journey will start with one of our UK team – someone like Becky, who's travelled extensively in Kenya. They’ll shape your ideas into the trip of a lifetime. But they won't do it alone. They'll draw on the expertise of our contacts on the ground, connecting you to the people who'll make your holiday one you'll always remember - the safari rangers, local village chiefs and camp managers you'll be talking about for years to come. Start planning today, call us, email an enquiry or arrange a phone or video appointment for ideas and advice.

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