Great Migration: Where to cross the Mara River?

May 22, 2022Posted in Great-Migration Updates, Great-Migration-CampsWritten by Sally GriersonLeave a comment

Part 2: Where the wildebeest cross the Mara River?

Knowing where the wildebeest cross the river, can improve your great migration experience, as you should choose which side of the river to observe the wildebeest crossing the Mara River. If the herds cross to the north then it is probably better to be on the northern bank of the river and visa versa for the return journey.

Where the wildebeest cross the Mara River? Changing crossing points

In Part 1 we talked about favourite or geographically determined crossing points for the wildebeest during the Mara River Crossing Season. This also changes! The Mara River Floods of 2018 and 2020, changed its course, making new bends in the river and causing a shift in Crossing Points. Knowing recent climatic events can get you front row seats to observe this natural show.

Where the wildebeest cross the Mara River? The inside bend

Let’s take a river crossing example.

The river crossings from South to North take place in the inside bends of the Mara River:- these are crossing points Makutano, No 8, No 6, N0 4, No 3 and No 1 in front of Singita.
The return journey from North to South, takes place on the alternate (now inside bends) of the river at crossing points No 2, No 5, No 7 and No 9.

Where the wildebeest cross the Mara River? Early season crossings

The crossings early on in the season will come from the Eastern side. The eastern herds are mostly bachelor herds, with fewer obstacles in their way, so they move quickly. The first river crossings of the year will probably be Sand River crossings between Bologonja Spring and the Sand/Mara river confluence. Sand River crossings have taken place as early as June.

The first Mara River crossings are commonly at No 10, No 9, No 8 and Makutano in July each year.

When the western herds arrive from Ikorongo and the Grumeti Reserves they would start crossing at the western crossing points from late July onwards at crossing points No 1 – 4 and perhaps at No 5 and No 6 in front of Sayari.

Conservation Talking Points

Flash flooding and fast runoffs during the dry season (July – October). Fast flowing water is difficult for wildlife and animals to judge in general. The wildebeest sometimes miss the exit points of the Mara River due to the strength of the fast flowing water of the Mara River, resulting in drowning. These changing climatic conditions (Floods 2018, 2020) have an impact on the survival rate of the Mara River crossings. The solutions can often be found in the catchment area, the source of the Mara River, the area where trees should be holding the water.

In case you missed Part 1 in our river-crossing series: here’s the link. Great Migration 2022: Where to cross the Mara River?

Book now to see the Great Wildebeest Migration: info@greatmigrationcamps.com
Contact us now for River Crossing availability 2022 season.
Follow our migration updates from the Serengeti National Park here: Great Migration Updates

Easter Kids Safari, Serengeti – space available for a family of 4

March 6, 2018Posted in Great-Migration-CampsWritten by Leave a comment

Spend Easter Weekend with the kids on a safari in the Serengeti with Great Migration Camps mobile.

Dates 30 March – 6 April 2018.

We’re taking our kids on safari this Easter and have space in camp for a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 kids).

Rates for Easter Kids Safari

$170 Adults Full Board per day
$50 Kids Full Board per day

Included: Tented Accommodation, three meals daily, teas and coffees, laundry, communal ablutions, National Park
Camping Fees, VAT

Excluded: Gratuities, Alcoholic beverages & sodas, National Park Fees, all transfers, all items of a personal nature, flights, all safari activities.

$220 Adults Game Package per day
$75 Kids Game Package per day

Included: Tented Accommodation, three meals daily, teas and coffees, laundry, communal ablutions, National Park
Camping Fees, unlimited game viewing drives, transfers from airstrip, VAT

Excluded: Gratuities, Alcoholic beverages & sodas, National Park Fees, all items of a personal nature, flights.

TANAPA Serengeti NP fees

$24 Children 5 – 15 years
$71 Adults 16+ years
$35.40 East Africa Residents – Adults
$11.80 East Africa Residents – Kids 16+ years

Kids on Safari – What you need to know

We welcome children on safari – it is an incredible experience for children to connect with nature and learn respect for their surroundings. They are enthralled and stimulated, they play and make lists, count different species and notice the big creatures and the small. Their inquisitive minds can’t ask enough questions, they eat well and they collapse at night to sleep well.

All children coming on safari need to have completed a signed indemnity form and be accompanied by at least one adult. Throughout their time in the bush children will be under the supervision of at least one adult. We recommend that children should be able to sleep through the night. Children under the age of 5 must sleep in a tent with an adult. Children between 6 and 16 may not sleep alone but may share with other children.

Children are safe provided they follow safari and camp protocol.

Don’t walk alone at night – always walk in two’s and wear shoes.
No running at night & use a light
No food allowed in the tents
Tent zips to be closed always
No screaming
Respect for nature.

We prefer children not to bring any electronic devices, but pen, papers & crayons; cards & books are welcome. Meals are simple: cereals for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch; and dinners are fish & chips; spaghetti bolognaise; hotdogs/boerewors rolls; chicken. Fruit or vegetables will be provided at every meal.

Enquire for Easter Kids Safari

TEL +255 686 493 065
EMAIL info@greatmigrationcamps.com

7 Summits Africa 2018 Expedition dates released

March 6, 2018Posted in 7 Summits AfricaWritten by Leave a comment

7 Summits Africa 2018 Expedition dates released in preparation of the Brand Africa endorsed Pan-Africa Everest 2020 expedition, lead by African mountaineer Sibusiso Vilane.

7 Summits Africa released the dates of their 2018 #7SummitsAfrica Expedition in Nairobi, Kenya. This follows the hugely successful inaugural 2017 expedition that conquered 7 African Mountain peaks in 7 weeks during November / December 2017 – www.7summitsafrica.com. The 7 Summits Africa 2018 Expedition will take place between 25 October and 7 December 2018 and be led by Sibusiso Vilane.

The 2018 and 2019 #7SummitsAfrica Expeditions will be utilized for selecting and training an African team for the 2020 Mt Everest attempt, sponsored by Brand Africa. The next two Expeditions will not only prepare our African mountaineering team for the highest point on the planet, but it will again showcase the beauty and the bogs, the granite and the glaciers of the seven African peaks that make up the 7 Summits Africa Expeditions.

The expedition will lead the mountaineers to some of the best wildlife encounters in East Africa. For the first time, there is an opportunity for mountaineers from the global community to join the 2018 expedition. Limited spaces are available for individuals to join the entire expedition or part thereof as per the below dates:

25 October – 2 November 2018 – Mt Nyiragongo and Mt Karisimbi

2 – 15 November 2018 – The Rwenzoris, Mt Stanley and Baker

15 – 23 November 2018 – Mt Kenya

23 November – 7 December 2018 – Mt Meru and Kilimanjaro

7 Summits Africa is a marketing brand that promotes conservation through tourism on the African continent, destination marketing and new tourism product development to stimulate economic growth near marginalized National Parks and Reserves throughout Africa.

Carel Verhoef, founder of 7 Summits Africa, opened entries to the 2018 expedition on Monday 25 February, “It is a wonderful chance to be actively part of conservation, whilst having an incredible African adventure. The 2018 itinerary is fantastic, with mountaineers able to join the entire 44-day expedition or to achieve their goal over a longer period of time by climbing one mountain (or more). The mountaineering will again be combined with Africa’s best wildlife experiences; Mountain Gorilla trekking in Virunga and Volcanoes National Parks as well as Bwindi Impenetrable Forest; the great wildebeest migration in the Serengeti and encounters with rhino and big cats in Ol Pejeta Conservancy at the foot of Mt Kenya,” Verhoef said.

7 Summits Africa 2018 will support the NGO PAMS Foundation www.pamsfoundation.org in memory of founder Wayne Lotter who gave his life for conservation of Africa’s National Parks and Reserves.

Applications are open: Email sally@7summitsafrica.com

10 bucket-list lodges in East Africa

October 30, 2017Posted in UncategorizedWritten by Leave a comment

By Sebastian Bartlett

There’s no shortage of memorable safari escape scattered across East Africa, but only a handful are worthy a place on your bucket-list. From the misty hills of Rwanda to the dramatic plains of the Serengeti, these remarkable destination lodges are not to be missed.

1. Primate Lodge Kibale, Uganda

Hidden away in the lush rainforest of the Kibale Rainforest National Park, Primate Lodge Kibale is the ultimate destination for viewing chimpanzees in the wild. That said, the Park is also home to 13 different species of primates!

The lodge boasts nine spacious luxury cottages with wonderful forest views, but for a close-up encounter book a night in the secluded Sky Tree House set deep in the rainforest!

Memorable for: its unique wildlife encounters and did we mention the tree house?

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