Masai Mara, Big Cats in April

Lions

It’s been a little quiet during the first half of April and this has to do with the rains. The grass has grown tall and as is the case always at this time of the year, most animals have moved to areas where the grass is shorter.

There are two main reasons for this. One is that it’s easier for the herbivores to spot the predators where the grass is short. The second reason is that the shorter grass offers more nutritious shoots.

We are lucky at Mara Intrepids and Mara Explorer for the Olkiombo Pride has not moved away despite having a difficult time hunting as most grazers are in the short grass plains. The Olkiombo Pride has 30 lions, which consists of three males, small cubs, sub adults and females. They are still prowling the area east of Mara Intrepids and Mara Explorer while the other prides have extended their territories to cover large hunting grounds.

It’s interesting to note that the young males are trying to inch their way into other males’ territories to establish themselves as the new dominant male of the pride - but they have no chance as the dominant males’ stand their ground and see the intruders off.

The Sekenani Pride is still seen west of Sekenani gate giving the Heritage guests at Siana Springs superb sightings of these lions.

Leopards

Leopard sightings have never been better. We have seven leopards in our game viewing areas, which have been seen several times over the past two weeks.

Olive is still around her territory with her two cubs that we have named Nkaiyoni and Paja.

Meanwhile guests at Siana Springs continue to enjoy leopards around the Kissinger area. They are often seen up in the trees scanning the plains for prey. It’s easier to scan the plains from the trees instead of being at ground level because the long grass makes it difficult to see anything.

Cheetahs

The long grass has not made it easy for the cheetahs to hunt and so we have not been very lucky spotting them. Most of the cheetahs have followed the herds outside the park. However we still get to see two females with their cubs around Rhino Ridge because of the small herds of gazelles, impala and topi present. The female to the east of Rhino Ridge and the female near Mara Explorer each have a cub. 

Honey’s three young sons are also around Rhino Ridge and our guests have had great sightings of them showing off their hunting skills.

Paul Kirui, Chief Safari Guide, Heritage Hotels

You can read more on Mara Intrepids at http://www.heritage-eastafrica.com/tented-camps/mara-intrepids/

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