It is the annual wildebeest migration that plants the Masai Mara National Reserve in the imagination. With a lemming-like instinct, finally gelled into mass movement, the herds gather in their hundreds of thousands on the withering plains of the Serengeti to begin the long, streaming journey northward following the scent of moisture and green grass in the Mara. They arrive in July and August, pouring over the Sand River and into the eastern side of the reserve around Keekorok, gradually munching their way westwards in a milling, unsettled mass and turning south again in October. Never the most graceful of animals, wildebeest play up to their appearance with frolicsome, unpredictable behaviour, bucking like wild horses, springing like jack-in-boxes, or suddenly sprinting off through the herd for no apparent reason.

The Mara River is the biggest obstacle they come up against. Heavy rains falling up on the Mau range where the river rises can produce a sudden brown flood which claims thousands of animals as they try to cross. Like huge sheep (they are, in fact, most closely related to goats), the brainless masses swarm desperately to the banks and plunge in. Many are fatally injured on rocks and fallen branches; others are skewered by flailing legs and horns. With every surge, more bodies bob to the surface and float downstream. Heaps of bloated carcasses line banks, injured and dying animals struggle mournfully in the mud; vultures and marabou storks squat in glazed, postprandial stupor.

The migration's full, cacophonous impact is awesomely melodramatic - both on the plains where the multitudes graze and cavort, and at the deadly river crossings. This superabundance of meat accounts for the Mara's big lion population. Through it all, the spotted hyenas scamper and loiter like psychopathic sheep dogs. Half a million wildebeest calves are born in January and February before the migration; two out of three perish without returning to the Serengeti.

The International Camel Derby is an annual camel-racing event organised by the International Camel Race Association. It is usually held during a weekend (Sat and Sun), either in August or September at an agreed venue in the Northern Region of Kenya, which is sunny and dry, and a favourable climate for the camels.

The Camel Race is recognised not only as a serious international sport and a great tourist attraction but also as a positive way to create awareness of the rapid encroachment in the desertification of Kenya. The route, which runs through the Semi deserted regions, involves different phases of the event where only professionals are allowed to race at certain regions. The aim also is to create a focal point in justifying and attracting interest in better camel husbandry among the people of N.E Kenya and to better understand the benefits that such camels can bring to these desert and arid land inhabitants.
Interested parties are invited all over the world to look for sponsorship and participate in the race. The event has the blessing of the Ministry of Tourism and for many years now has been rated among one of the world's events in the "Year of African Tourism".

For more information contact:

The Chairman
International Camel Derby
P.O Box 47874, Nairobi
Tel: 254 2 241177, 727551/2/3
Fax: 254 2 575006
Email: makini@arcc.or.ke

The Kenya Society For The Protection and Care of Animals is the only animal welfare society caring for domestic animals in Kenya. It has been in existence for more than eighty years and during that time the Society has grown and now has two branches and four sub-stations which they hope to expand.

37 years ago they held their first Shaggy Dog Show which has since then become more and more popular with people from all over Kenya coming to enjoy the day, either with their dogs or without. Every dog must have valid Rabies Parvo and Distemper Certificates in order to enter the competition.
Interested parties are invited all over the world to look for sponsorship and participate in the race. The event has the blessing of the Ministry of Tourism and for many years now has been rated among one of the world's events in the "Year of African Tourism".

The show attracts different classes such as :-

The Dog Most like its owner The Dog in Best condition The Best Veteran Dog The Shaggiest Dog in the show

Attractive prizes are awarded to the owners whose Dogs emerge the winners.

Entertainment is available for the whole family and also for those who have no Dogs. There are Lucky Dips, Raffles, Free Donkey & Cart Rides, Face Painting, Games and much more for everyone to enjoy. Under Other Useful Facts, create a sub topic: