WildEarth and HerdTracker are live-streaming the wildebeest migration from Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve until Sunday (25 September 2016).
The live broadcasts will centre around the wildebeest migration crossing the Nile crocodile-infested Mara River as well as predatory action of lions hunting at night in the Masai Mara.
WildEarth will also be broadcasting live from South Africa’s Sabi Sand Game Reserve in South Africa.
Graham Wallington, CEO of WildEarth, hopes to show viewers an authentic African safari experience. “One of the scenes that is brought to mind when people think of Africa, are the vast expanses of open land and myriads of different herbivorous species streaming across these great plains as they follow the torrential rains, always seeking out the best grazing areas.
“Of course, this is an absolute feast for the predators who really get their claws stuck in after sunset.”
The team will be using infrared lighting and thermal imaging for the first time during its live safaris, so viewers won’t miss out on the action once the sun goes down.
Andre Van Kets, creator of the HerdTracker web-app which tracks the wildebeest migration in realtime, hopes that broadcasting the event live will encourage more international travellers to make Kenya their chosen holiday destination.
“The wildebeest migration is one of nature’s greatest spectacles,” he says. “The river crossings are the main reasons why thousands of travellers flock to the Masai Mara every year. We want to show the world just why they need to witness it for themselves here in Kenya.”
The live broadcasts can be viewed on HerdTracker’s Facebook page and WildEarth’s safariLIVE YouTube channel between 16:00 to 23:30 EAT (East Africa Time).
- Pictured: Wildebeest crossing the Mara River; image by Stuart Price