The Wildebeest mass on the east side of the Mara river preparing to cross
The Wildebeest do not just rush in to the river but are very cautious trying to assess the danger.
Eventually one brave soul starts the crossing.
The Mara river turns a muddy brown where the animals are crossing.
The single line starts to fragment and the Wildebeest pour over the edge of the steep embankment.
The drop over the edge can be as much as six metres.
Animal after animal plunges into the fast flowing Mara river.
There are times when the crossing is abruptly halted as a few animals are spooked and the column is broken.
The Wildebeest hurl themselves into the boiling muddy water.
Wildebeest after Wildebeest irrespective of size.
A cocktail of terror, dust and fast flowing water.
Visibliity worsens.
The fast flowing river drags the line of swimming Wildebeest downstream.
Each animal for itself.
The terror associated with the crossing is evident in their enlarged eyes.
The Wildebeest get dragged down stream by the river where some of the exit points are very difficult because of the rock outcrops.
Apparent calm of the Mara river as it snakes its way through the Mara
The sweet Red Oat grass awaits the Wildebeest and Zebra on the other side of the Mara river -so too do the predators.
Breeding herd of Elephant close to the Mara river is Masai Mara
Kitchwa Tembo camp
Kenya-Tanzania border post – looking onto the Serengeti
One relatively flat crossing point on the Mara river, but don’t be fooled there are some huge croc just downstream of the rapids – watching and waiting
A lone LIoness wandered down to the Mara river to see what was on the dinner menu – Wildebeeste or Wildebeeste or perhaps some Zebra
Howie's Wildlife Images 