The Great migration
The Great migration : Predators follow prey; crocodiles, lions, and hyenas keep a wary eye out in the hopes of grabbing their next meal during the great migration that takes place in Maasai Mara and Serengeti. Travellers have once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the Great Migration and experience the breathtaking spectacle of animals moving through a well-known region in perfect harmony. Throughout this dangerous journey, there are encounters with dramatic encounters with raw wildlife. Whether they are harsh or gentle, they are all definitely unforgettable.
There’s a common misunderstanding that the Great Migration occurs during the time when vast herds of wildebeest congregate along the northern Tanzanian and Maasai Mara riverbanks, eventually breaking free of the muddy waters in a harried, bottlenecked procession of animals. These scenes from the Great Migration are undoubtedly the best and most commercialized ones, but they only represent a small portion of the event, which lasts for almost a full year. Safari newcomers are harmed by the limited definition of the Great Migration or, more accurately, by its absence.
Make your way over to the conservancies.
Because off-road driving and walking are prohibited in the main Serengeti reserves, the Mara Serengeti conservancies offer some of the best photo opportunities. Additionally, because there is less traffic in the conservancies, you won’t have to deal with the inconvenience of vehicles encircling an action scene, which would have made it harder for you to set up for the best shots. Consider taking a fly camping tour to get better pictures in the conservancies and keep a close relationship with nature.
Ensure your lens produce clear images at focal length of 400 mm.
This will enable you to take pictures from the far riverbank of the Mara crossing. From a mid-range position, one can also obtain a larger image of the migrating columns. During an exciting crocodile hunt, having a zoom lens will also make it simpler for you to capture up close shots. Since shutter speed affects the quality of images taken of river crossings, carry a variety of lenses instead of relying on extenders to change your focal lengths.
Good tour guide for better vehicle positioning.
A knowledgeable tour guide driver can predict part of the next location based on the route, even though the herd’s path is unpredictable. Make sure you set up in each prime spot so you can get the best possible shot. Generally speaking, there are a lot of vehicles there, especially during river crossing events, so if your driver isn’t careful enough, you might not be able to get the best spot. Because they have a deep understanding of animal behavior, a knowledgeable guide will also keep you at the closest distance from your subject for the best shot without upsetting it in its natural habitat.
Taking a balloon safari.
You can capture images of the migrating herds from above by taking a hot air balloon ride over the plains of the Mara or Serengeti. To get the best result keep high speed of shutter even when you are taking shot for grazing herds. This will allow the motion to produce clear pictures by maintaining the aperture in step with the speed at which you are floating across.
Whenever feasible, approach the herds from the front.
You can take better pictures when you approach the herds from the front. You’ll also have more time to take photos before the herds move across.
Consider mini-river crossings too.
You should also capture the smaller rivers that flow into the larger Mara River in addition to the main Mara River. Riverine forests, which cover most rivers, offer some of the most beautiful backgrounds for flora and act as predator strongholds.
Be prepared to take action.
The migration is characterized by action scenes of herds moving quickly through wilderness areas, crossing rivers, and hunting. Make sure your camera is ready for the shot and that you arrive at the action point on time. Select accommodation along the Mara River from the Maasai Mara or Serengeti side for optimal time for the river crossing. Little Governors Camp, Mara Serena Hotel, Royal Mara Safari Lodge, and Kichwa Tembo Camp are just some of these facilities.
For the best river crossing images keep the rapid mode on.
Even though you will need to remove a lot of uninteresting images, shooting continuously will produce images of the movement in its best poses.
Recognize possible locations for photos.
Your guide should be able to help you find the hotspots. For instance, if you want to zoom out and catch big groups of the herds grazing in the wilderness, there’s nowhere better to go than the banks of the Mara River, where hordes of migratory herds wait for one brave person to start the journey to the Mara plains. The Musiara Swamp is a great place to have scenes involving overland hunting.
Good tour guide for better vehicle positioning.
A knowledgeable tour guide driver can predict part of the next location based on the route, even though the herd’s path is unpredictable. Make sure you set up in each prime spot so you can get the best possible shot. Generally speaking, there are a lot of vehicles there, especially during river crossing events, so if your driver isn’t careful enough, you might not be able to get the best spot. Because they have a deep understanding of animal behavior, a knowledgeable guide will also keep you at the closest distance from your subject for the best shot without upsetting it in its natural habitat.
