This is, so the guide told us, a favourite place for the crossing of the Mara River by the Wildebeest.
How right he was ! We had no sooner arrived and ensconced ourselves at a sight-protected spot on the opposite shore line, than we spotted the herd coming.
Hesitatingly first and then with wild abandon they dove into the river.
Each year they come, at about the same time, their instinct telling them that the crossing must be achieved. Despite the many crocodiles awaiting a plentiful feed, despite the hundreds of vultures who expect to find their satisfaction in the drowning bodies, the Wildebeest come and hurl themselves into the fast running water of the Mara.
I saw an adult cow who had successfully crossed, standing at the shore line, loudly baying.
Then she re-entered the river and returned, heading straight for a calf which anxiously had remained behind.
The cow gently pushed the calf into the water and, keeping herself down-river, below the calf, edged it to the opposite shore.
Finally they both arrived and together with thousands of their kind they climbed the shore and continued their migration in a long string of wildebeest.
There are about 1.5 million of them who participate in this ritual.
The first one takes the plunge.
Others follow in ever increasing numbers.
Hundreds of Vultures have assembled for a "Big Meal".
This mother had previously succeeded in crossing,
but had returned for what was clearly her calf.
Gently she urged the young- one into the water ,
protecting her by swimming with her, always keeping herself on the down river side.
Finally cow and calf made it across. The calf, totally exhausted,
had to have a few minutes rest before it continued with the rest on this migration.
The majority, of course, made it to the opposite shore
and, climbing the embankment...
... they continued on their treck in a broad line, reaching from the river to the horizon.
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