Greatest Gameshow: Wildebeest fights off Leopard!

Migration overview

It’s hot and dry in the Mara. The grass on the plains is like the color of mature red oat grass – gold - and still palatable for the herbivores.

 

The big herds of wildebeest and zebras have divided themselves into three groups. Each group has taken a different direction, dictated by the availability of fresh grass and water. The rains have been falling on the outskirts of the Mara and also where it has not previously rained.

A big herd from Lookout Hill has drifted to the Meta Plains towards Keekorok and some moving north towards the Posse Plains.

A herd that covered a big area from Milima Tatu in the Mara Triangle around Serena Mara and the Olpunyata Swamp, make numerous crossings from morning till late afternoon along the Mara River, in search of greener pastures on the eastern side of the Mara around Rhino Ridge and the Paradise Plain west of the Mara Intrepids Camp.

In the Mara River a lot of wildebeest were killed in the stampede as they tried to climb over the steep walls of the river. It is a feast for the vultures and the marabou storks while the crocodiles have no need to hunt – there are carcasses all around them.

Another big herd mixed with zebras is in the plains stretching from Bila Shaka, along the border of Mara National Game Reserve and the Mara West Conservancy and the OOC coming down south, towards Mara Intrepids Camp and the Olkiombo Plains.

The Big Cats Diary

                                                                    

Lions

The Ridge Pride has moved from Topi Plains following the wildebeest herds. The pride of nine is now 10 because of a new cub that’s one month old.

The Olkiombo Pride is still in three groups along the Talek River.

The Olkeju Ronkai Pride is still together with Junior and the two step-brothers called Cheza and Sala. They are the dominant males from the Olkiombo and Maji-ya Fisi prides.

The Paradise Pride has moved to Paradise Crossing where the wildebeest are crossing the river.

 Leopards

Olive and her two male cubs are along Talek River. She made two unsuccessful attempts to get to the carcass of a wildebeest calf, but was kept off by the female wildebeests four kilometers from the Mara Intrepids Camp.

Cheetahs

Saba the female cheetah with her male cub is at Olare-Orok, east of Rhino Ridge.

The three brothers are at Ntiaki-tiak River which is north of Mara Intrepids Camp.      

Paul Kirui, Chief Safari Guide, and  John Parmasau Heritage Hotels Ltd
(Pictures © John Parmasau)

You can read more on Mara Explorer, Mara Intrepids  and Siana Springs at http://www.heritage-eastafrica.com/tented-camps/

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