GET A RING-SIDE SEAT FOR THE GREATEST SHOWS IN THE NATURAL WORLD
LANDSCAPES DRAMATICALLY TRANSFORM, WILDLIFE MIGRATES IN FLOCKS AND HERDS OF THOUSANDS, AND ENDEARING BABY ANIMALS TAKE THEIR FIRST STEPS IN THE OUTSIDE WORLD.
Most commonly, when we think of the word ‘migration’, our minds picture thousands of wildebeest storming the plains of Kenya and Tanzania, crossing croc-infested rivers with hungry predators watching in wait.
While this is one of mother natures most grandiose events, it is not the only migration in the world, or even in Africa. In fact, the world’s largest mammal migration takes place in the wild Bangweulu wetlands of Zambia featuring an incredible eight million fruit bats as they arrive from the Congo.
Further north in the Canadian Arctic you can spot polar bear cubs emerging from their snowy dens, seeing the world for the first time under the watchful eye of their mothers. Being there to see their playful antics as they explore the outside world for the first time is an incredible once in a lifetime experience.
JANUARY TO MARCH
The Great Wildebeest Migration – the birthing – For anyone in search of a wild, apres-Christmas adventure to see something great – well you’re in luck. Despite not being one of the best known times for viewing wildebeest, it is one of the most fascinating. January to February marks ‘the birthing’. A short window of time in which the wildebeest give birth to their young, all 400,000 of them.
APRIL TO JUNE
Great Sardine Run – In South Africa mid-May is the start of the sardine run, which is amazing opportunity to swim, snorkel and dive. Predators such as sharks, eagles and dolphins graze on the tasty fish. Travelling in densely packed groups that can be as long as 7 kilometres, the glistening mass attracts some of the most amazing marine and bird-life around.
JULY TO SEPTEMBER
The summer months in the northern hemisphere, July to September, are an exciting time in the natural world.
The Great Wildebeest Migration – the river crossing – July marks the wildebeest crossing the great Mara River. In the hopes of making it to the green grasses of the Masai Mara. These river crossing are famous around the world for the dramas that unfold. Including a cast of crocodiles, wildebeest, zebra, lion and much more.
Okavango Delta Flooding – Meanwhile, the Okavango Delta in Botswana is starting to flood. Breathing new life into the plains as animals arrive in their thousands to feast on the nutrient-rich flood-plains.
OCTOBER TO DECEMBER
Bat Migration – In Zambia, the largest mammal migration known starts mid-October. It involves eight million straw-coloured fruit bats squeezing into the Kasanka plains to feast on delicious, brightly coloured fruits.
This cloud of puppy-sized bats departs each evening to find food in a huge mass. Then returns each morning to sleep upside down, hanging from trees so thickly that branches snap. Thus causing a myriad of commotion in the bat world. On the red island of Madagascar this is the perfect time to see the adorable and iconic ringtail lemurs. Cuddling with their young.
These brave lemurs seem unafraid of humans. Allowing you to get close and witness these wonderful, young lemurs. Interacting with their mothers and the rest of the group.
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humour, and some style”. – Maya Angelou
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