Ker Downey ® Africa - The Greatest Wildlife Show on Earth
Award-winning responsible travel company Ker & Downey® Africa share why the Great Migration in East Africa is the perfect post-COVID escape for 2021 and beyond.
Trends adapt over time, and travel is no exception. Over the past year and a half, the world has undergone a massive transformation and the future of almost everything looks a little different. Particularly when it comes to travel.
It goes without saying that one of the biggest surges in travel trends is the desire to seek out remote destinations, and rediscover the magnificent beauty of our planet. And having someone by your side as you travel into this new world is priceless.
The team of explorers and mindful travelers from Ker & Downey® Africa, are experts on all things Africa, with first-hand knowledge on the most sought-after experiences in the most remote corners of the continent. Their exclusive LuxVenture® trips are quality expeditions, bringing together ultra-luxurious nights and adventurous days in carefully crafted experiences. Each LuxVenture® trip is designed by their team of experts to suit your unique needs and interests and to allow you to leave your own personal legacy in Africa.
For the perfect post-COVID escape, the team at Ker & Downey® Africa recommend a bucket-list wildlife experience like no other in the world: the Great Migration in East Africa
The Great Migration
Widely referred to as “the Greatest Wildlife Show on Earth”, the Great Migration in East Africa is one of the most jaw-dropping wildlife phenomena on the planet.
This renowned wildlife spectacle sees millions of plains game make the treacherous journey through Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, and Kenya’s iconic Masai Mara Game Reserve. The great columns of thundering herds make up the largest movement of animals in the world, even visible from space.
The Great Migration experience is a feather in the Ker & Downey® Africa cap, and one of their most thrilling LuxVenture® offerings. It is a year-round event with each month offering a unique experience.
Join the team as they take you on a migration adventure like no other, following the pitfalls, triumphs and sheer determination of the herds as they contend with hair-raising obstacles and carnivorous predators at every turn.
Calving Season – January, February, March
In January, the bulk of the herd of Great Migration have just completed an epic southward trek to the lush plains of the southern Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater Area in Tanzania. The fresh green grass has been sufficiently watered by the seasonal rains, providing bountiful nutrients for the new members. It is birthing season and between late January and early March, almost half a million new calves will be born. The sheer abundance of the new, vulnerable members of the herd provide a perfect opportunity for lurking predators to pounce. Spend your days on game drives through the extinct volcano of the Ngorongoro Crater which becomes the perfect hunting grounds for big cats, making for some dramatic wildlife action.
Ker & Downey® Africa’s 7 day Wildebeest Calving Season Safari takes you to two of Tanzania’s most iconic locations, including the famed Ngorongoro crater rim. Here you will stay at Entamanu Ngorongoro Tented Camp in a luxury en-suite tent overlooking the crater amidst ancient acacia trees and dormant volcanic hills.
The Journey begins – April, May, June
In April, the once grassy plains in the south have now become exhausted from grazing and movement is in full, albeit slow, swing. The surviving young of the herd start to gather strength, and mammoth columns of wildebeest, zebra and antelope stream through the Moru Kopjes in the central Serengeti towards the Western Corridor. During this period, mating (or rutting) season is also well underway.
Towards the end of May, the bulk of the herd can be found congregating on the banks of the Grumeti River. This crossing, which takes place throughout June, is the first big obstacle of migration.
Survival of the Fittest – July, August
With the Grumeti River in their wake, the surviving herd make their way towards the northern Serengeti – the allure of Kenya’s Masai Mara and fresh grasslands edging them along, despite the perilous dangers that lie ahead. They eventually find themselves at the great Mara River. This is where survival of the fittest is put to the ultimate test.
The notorious Mara River crossing sees hordes of animals plunging frantically into dangerous waters, resulting in a bloody spectacle not for the faint of heart. As ravenous Nile crocodiles snap mercilessly at the herds, vultures, marabou storks, hyenas and other predators clog the riverbanks waiting to feast on corpses or injured survivors. This dramatic display of the cycle of life and death draws masses of crowds each year and is a once-in-a-lifetime bucket list experience for avid wildlife travelers across the globe.
Ker & Downey® Africa’s immersive 9 Day Great Migration Safari in Tanzania will take you to four of its most scenic & biodiverse regions, and includes an exclusive hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti.
Crossing Borders – September, October
After the grueling events of the Mara River, the majority of survivors enjoy some respite in Kenya’s Masai Mara National Park. While some stragglers are still enduring the hazardous crossing, most can be found grazing on lush green grass, regaining their strength after the exhausting expedition. Both September and October enjoy mild weather and a slowing down of the migration, which means there is a good chance of seeing some big herds – and hungry predators hot on their heels.
Greener Pastures – November, December
The search for green pastures continues, and as the smell of new rain from the southern Serengeti permeates the air once again, the herds find themselves drawn back to where it all began. Moving at a quicker pace in order to reach the southern plains as the first grass roots begin to shoot, columns of animals and thundering hooves pervade the landscape. By December, their efforts are rewarded by a blanket of fresh grass as they return to the plains of their birth. Here, the cycle of life will begin once again.
The team at Ker & Downey® Africa offer an exclusive set of Great Wildebeest Migration LuxVenture® trips, tailored to ensure an unforgettable experience that places you at the very heart of the action of this truly wild event.
Special Reader Offer: Get up-close-and-personal with the Great Migration with a 9 Day Tanzania Safari, exclusive to Ker & Downey® Africa. This itinerary takes you to iconic regions in the Serengeti National Park, staying at some of the country’s most exclusive luxury camps including Chem Chem Lodge in Lake Manyara and Mila Tented Camp in the southern Serengeti.
Book with Ker & Downey® Africa today, using the reference code ELEVATEDSAFARI and SAVE $2,015 per person.
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