03 May, 2014

Safari in the Maasai Mara: March - May 2014 Highlights


 Game viewing in the vast plains of Masai Mara National Game Reserve is the absolute highlight of a stay at  Mara Intrepids and Mara Explorer Camps. It is always best to know what the weather and climate is like  before you travel to Masai Mara. Below is a short summary of what to expect between the months of April  - May so as to maximize on the safari experience.


  Weather:

 Following the poor distribution of long rains in the Mara, the grass plains are crisp golden as opposed to  luscious green.  The sky is clear from dawn to dusk, with a cool breeze during the day.


 Temperature:

 Morning: 17 degrees celcius

 Midday: 28 degrees celcius

 Sunset: 25 degrees celcius


 Highlights:


 Plain Game and Loita Plains Migration

 This change of weather has affected animal movement and behavior. This year, in the absence of the normal  wet season the wildebeest and zebras herds that normally spend their time in the Loita plains to calf and  raise their young, are in the Mara much earlier than expected with their young.

 There’s not a lot of grass now in the reserve and if this pattern continues, we may see more unusual animal     behavior.


 Lion

 Usually the lion cub mortality rate is high before the arrival of the wildebeest and zebra because there isn’t  enough to prey on. This year, the lion prides may do well with their cubs because the prey is here earlier  than usual.

 Normally, large grazers leave the Mara during the wet season to higher and well drained grounds so as to  avoid foot rot. This allows the grass time to grow tall, giving predators cover to stalk their prey.


 Leopard

 Leopard sighting are much better than that of the cheetah, especially along the Olare-orok and Intiakitiak  rivers.


 Cheetah

 Cheetah sightings are better after the comeback of the wildebeest and zebras migration. There’s enough  food and the grass is shorter. The short grass helps the cat to spot its prey easily and attract gazelles - which  is the cheetah’s favorite prey.



 Other Highlights:

  • Birdlife is plentiful. Great month for ornithologists as many Palearctic migratory birds are going back to Europe/North Asia, therefore many aquatic birds utilize the wet season for a brief break in the Mara and other parts of Kenya to feed before final departure
  • Dark sky background in the afternoons when the rains are building up, great photography
  • Most herbivores move to higher grounds to avoid fungal infections in the hooves. Most game will concentrate only in particular areas where the grass is short
  • Lions adapt to tree climbing to get better view and some cheetah use vehicles bonnets.
  • Lions adapt to hunting warthogs even inside holes on the ground







Report and pictures by John Parmasau - Head Safari Guide, Mara Intrepids and Mara Explorer Camps.
©Heritage Hotels Ltd, Kenya.http://www.heritage-eastafrica.com/