News from Maasai Mara, Kenya July 17th 2008

The light showers that swept across the central Mara over the last week have drawn more herds from the northern Serengeti. The Mara River, about 3 kilometers north of the south-Mara bridge, has been the main arena over the past few days. Heavy crossings have taken place as thousands of the Serengeti herds crossed west on the Mara Triangle. The river is still low, making the crossing a bit easy for the animals. Once in the Mara, these herds have taken a traditional route splitting into two, with one group heading west and crossing over the Mara River while the other, north into Meta and towards Burrungat plains - just south of Mara Intrepids.

Our guests had a week full of excitement on game drives due the close proximity of the herds from our camps - Mara Intrepids, Explorer and Siana Springs - and we are assured of even better things as the migration progresses!

The northern (Loita) and the southern (Serengeti) herds have now merged on the south Mara triangle. The converging point is a recently burnt area where new nutritious shoots are beginning to sprout after the recent light showers. An interesting phenomenon we have witnessed in the last two years, some of the Loita herds are starting to cross back at Paradise crossing point onto the eastern side of the river - where they had crossed the just previous week! The remaining animals from these herds have over the past week been streaming in small numbers towards Paradise Plains, with some crossing westwards onto Mara conservancy.

PREDATORS:

Lion sightings were remarkably high over the past week. There are not many lion cubs at the moment, but some females are expected to give birth over the next couple of months. Olkiombo Pride has settled east of Mara Explorer about 1.5kms along the main road from the airstrip. The Ridge Pride is still very active, with many attempted hunts being witnessed during the day in the past week. There concentration of the herds is however still lower in their territory.

Encounters with cheetahs have now become more frequent than in the previous weeks. Leopards are also starting to get active and their sightings have improved remarkably. There were more leopard sightings over the past week as well. Bella, our Big Cat Diary star is now seen more regularly, while Olive, Penda and Tito among others were seen at least once over the past week.

Paul Kirui, Lead Safari Guide, Heritage Hotels

News from Maasai Mara, Kenya July 10th 2008

The concentration of the herds has increased more rapidly than first expected. A survey by our guides along the border yesterday established that there are many animals crossing the Sand River into the Mara. Light showers that swept across the southern swathes of the Mara have drawn the herds across from the northern Serengeti. They had briefly settled on the recently burnt areas, but there has been insufficient rainfall to make the grass sprout.

Once in the Mara, the herds appear to take two distinct directions, northwards towards the Central and Burrungat plains, and westwards towards the Mara River. A few hundreds have gone as far as Look Out Hill, with a few of these crossing west of the Mara River to a recently burnt patch of grassland. The crossings here are not yet dramatic due to a hand full of animals crossing and the low water levels, but the crocodiles as still making a meal of it!

Meanwhile, the Loita herds (that make-up the northern migration) are now spreading south of Mara triangle where grass was recently burnt. They have been streaming in in small numbers over the past week from Paradise plains, crossing westwards into the Mara conservancy. These herds still have a higher ratio of zebras to wildebeest.

PREDATORS:

The rumbling hooves of the oncoming herds have not gone unheeded, with lions regrouping once again for the season of plenty. A few kills have been witnessed over the past couple of days along the Sand River’s north bank, where a large pride of lions has stationed itself to take advantage of the herds going through their territory. This pride - claimed to be the largest pride in the park in the recent past - once numbered 32 strong! The lean period had seen them separating into smaller groups, which later turned into sub-prides over the years.

To the north, the Ridge pride is still very active, with many attempted hunts being witnessed - some in broad daylight - in the past week. Our guides inform us that the old Bila shaka pride, whose territory is north of Rhino Ridge, is also regrouping. It seems the pounding hooves of the migrating herbivores has reawakened the lion prides from their slumber - and literary, brought life to the Mara!

Cheetahs were encountered more frequently in the last week than previously. Leopards are also starting to get active and their sightings have improved remarkably. Bella, our Big Cat Diary star seems to have settled just next to Mara Intrepids, where she’s spotted regularly in the past week.

Paul Kirui, Lead Safari Guide, Heritage Hotels
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News from Maasai Mara, Kenya July 3rd 2008

Our guides can now confirm - the migration has officially started! The stage in the Mara is now set for the world's most fascinating wildlife spectacle. A herd of almost 2,000 wildebeest have crossed the border from the Serengeti near Sand River gate, with a similar number seen crossing today at a place known to the Mara guides as Roots Crossing. This head of the southern migration was this afternoon taking their traditional route towards Roan Hill, while others entered the central Mara plains via the western side of the hill.

The weather has played havoc with the traditional migration this year. Intermittent rain in April grassed the plains in green, which soon dried due to the dry spells in May and June. This dry and overgrown grass is now expected to slow the migration's movement northwards.

Looking into the Serengeti from the Sand River, herds of zebra and wildebeest on eastern and western sides of Naima-Lumbwa Hill can be seen heading northwards. The higher concentration is south of the Mara River and Sand River confluence, with the recently burnt area being the main attraction. As this report was being compiled, the Mara had just received some rain, which will replenish the burnt shoots and is expected to hasten the northbound movement of the herbivores. Meanwhile, the Loita herds of wildebeest are settling around the recently burnt area on the Mara triangle, just across the river opposite Look-Out Hill.

While their numbers are still low, our guests have enjoyed being the first to witness the start of the 2008 migration, and we are proud to take them to the best viewing spots.

Other sightings:

The past week was a highlight of big cats sightings. All the lion prides in our game viewing areas were seen, and they seem to be responding to the distant pounding of hooves, which announces the oncoming herds - and season of plenty!

Leopard sightings could not have been better, with several individuals spotted. Our guests at Mara Intrepids even saw one making a kill, and we expect more adventures as the herds settle around.

Please log onto our website for weekly updates on the progress of the migration (and local Big Cat action) over the next three months.
Paul Kirui, Lead Safari Guide, Heritage Hotels
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News from Maasai Mara, Kenya June 27th 2008

Over the past week, the Loita herds of mainly zebras have now spread out over the recently burnt area in the south Mara triangle. Some herds are still around Musiara Gate, Olorukoti plain and on the Koiyaki - Olare-Orok Conservancy areas. The migration this year has been gradual unlike in the past. The herds coming from the Loita plains will keep entertaining us before the imminent arrival of the main Serengeti herds from the south.

The Mara River has been active, with some zebras crossing onto the Mara triangle. The crocodiles are still enjoying a feeding frenzy, creating huge photo opportunities on what are normally deep waters. The less-than-normal rainfalls have left the water levels on the rivers lower than at this time of they year, and crocodiles are easy to spot as they drag their unfortunate prey into the deeper waters.

Other sightings:
One of the most spectacular sightings of the past week was that of six nomadic male lions on Paradise Plain near the migration crossing point. It has been many years since such a coalition of males was seen together. Nomadic males will only come together to consolidate their strength, to ward-off competition for food and to increase their chances of taking over a new pride and territory - whose dominating males will not let go easily.

Some of our repeat guests at Mara Intrepids, Valmik Thapar and Chandu Shah with their families, got bonus experience for their week's stay. The Ridge Pride killed a wildebeest at Olare-Orok River in their full view! Chandu's daughter, Sonal, an upcoming photographer on her first stay at Mara Intrepids was very excited. In her own words, "In 8 days, we sighted 10 leopards, including one complete leopard kill which was amazing"!!!!

There was an improved sighting of leopards over the week, with a sighting every day. Bella who has been our main star over the last few years, and Olive, who we have been covering lately, were spotted along the Talek and Olare-Orok Rivers. There is a new leopard along Ntiakitiak River with two small cubs. She was seen for a few days at the same place near the Double Crossing point with a kill up in a tree, while another young female was seen at Paradise Plains with a kill near the main crossing.

Cheetahs were the most elusive the past week, with our guests seeing only a few. However, our guides promise things will improve with the expected arrival of more animals into the park.

Paul Kirui, Lead Safari Guide, Heritage Hotels
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News from Maasai Mara, Kenya June 20th 2008

Our guides at Mara Intrepids have reported the head of the migration is still streaming in, albeit at a slow pace, over the past week. Traditionally, zebras lead the rest of the migratory herds, and as we are reliably informed, it won't be long before the official migration is on. Our guests have witnessed a few crossings in the past few days. Low water levels and fewer herds have not stopped the crocodiles from trying to grab the zebras on the shallow waters.


Once across the river, they enter the Mara triangle, spreading out southwards onto the recently burnt area of the conservancy. While most other areas are still teeming with grass, this area still requires some rain for the new shoots to sprout. If the grass on the Mara plains is not burnt, then the herds may spend more time here. What remains to be seen is whether they follow their natural instincts to move on - that natural calling that abounds above all else.

PREDATORS:
Lions:
Lion sighting was reported throughout the past week. Long grass on the plains is forcing them to go up vantage points to spot their prey and survey their territories.
Shonko Pride has moved north of the Talek River towards the junction with the Mara River. This is normally part of the Ridge Pride's territory, but they have also moved east towards the border of the reserve with Olare-Orok Conservancy. The scarcity of prey has forced the pride to split into three small groupings.

Olkiombo Pride has settled to the east of Mara Intrepids and Explorer camps. They are now in two groups, one with five adult females with six cubs and another with three adult females with four cubs. Lion cubs have a rare survival rate, especially during the drier seasons where food is scarce. We hope these cubs will survive till the arrival of the main migration herds when food shall be in plenty.

Leopards:
Our guests at Mara Intrepids saw Olive twice over the past week. In one of the times, she was seen carrying a carcass of a gazelle for over a kilometre, and our guides believe that she may have small cubs - watch this space for confirmation in the coming days!

Bella has not been seen for the past one week, but the Rekero male was spotted once near the Mara River.

Cheetah:
There were few cheetah sightings over the past week, with the long grass being the main cause. They are mainly to found in areas where the grass is short with an abudance of game. There was one female seen near Double Crossing area and another one with a cub at the Topi plains. Two sub adult males were also seen near Ntiakitiak River.


Paul Kirui, Lead Safari Guide, Heritage HotelsMigration%20Map%20-%20June202008.jpg

News from Maasai Mara, Kenya June 16th 2008

Migration Update:
The mini migration which we reported last week is still ongoing, with many more zebra and a few wildebeest seen moving into the reserve from the east. However, this is not the main migration from the Serengeti ecosystem, but a ‘localized’ group from Loita moving into the reserve. When traveling to or from Narok, one can see herds of wildebeests heading into the park from as far Maji moto area.

The recently burnt grasslands south of the Mara triangle, coupled with the rains has been the catalyst for this movement. The herbivores in this ecosystem have come to associate the burning with fresh lush shoots, which is an irresistible delicacy - especially for the wildebeest! Most of the Mara plains are still awash with a sea of over grown red oat grass, which most herbivores find quite tough and rough for their digestive systems. This explains why the herds have just been rushing through the reserve when there is plenty of grass.

There were crossing activity at the Paradise crossing point over the week as herds cross over to the west of the Mara River. These were mainly the Loita herds from the north east around Musiara Gate, moving across Paradise Plain to the river and crossing westwards. Water levels at the rivers are still low and this makes crossing easy, but it hasn’t deterred the crocodiles from getting their meal.

The coming weeks will witness a lot more activity, and we shall be there to report from the frontline!

Big Cats:
Lion:
The lion prides in our game viewing territory can still be seen in their respective locations. The Olkiombo Pride has settled to the east of Mara Intrepids over the last few days. Our guests at Mara Intrepids witnessed them killing a wildebeest a few days ago near the main Talek - Musiara Road. Shonko Pride is still thriving at Maji ya Eland, where they have split to maximize on the prey – in this case Topi and other resident antelopes concentrated in this location.

Leopard:
Leopard sightings have been good over the last few days. Even though the grass is still long, they were seen hunting on some clear patches. Olive was in her territory near Mara Intrepids, while two others females and the Rekero male were seen towards the Mara river.

Cheetah:
Cheetah sightings have been rare over the last few days. However one female was seen regularly on Paradise Plain where there is a concentration of gazelles and other herbivores. There was also one female seen with one cub, but she moved into Olare-Orok conservancy.

Please log onto our website for weekly updates on the progress of the migration (and local Big Cat action) over the next three months.
Paul Kirui, Lead Safari Guide, Heritage HotelsMigration%20Map%20-%20June162008.jpg

Big Cat and Migration Updates - Maasai Mara, Kenya. June 6th, 2008

The month of May was significantly wet, and the sprouting grass made it harder to spot animals. Nevertheless, recent weeks have been promising, and Heritage will continue to update you regularly on the changing weather conditions across the Mara ecosystem.

Lions:
Lions sightings were reportedly poor during the month of May, mainly due the rains in April. Most animals have moved to areas where the grass is shorter to avoid predation and to look for more nutritious shoots. The Ridge Pride has been highly mobile lately, combing larger territories in search of food.

Shonko Pride has been seen at their territory near Olkeju-Rongai over-lapping all the way to Maji ya Eland area where food is available. There are three adult males currently, and an intriguing battle with a couple of nomadic males is brewing – this promises to be interesting! Our guests at Siana Springs have enjoyed regular sightings of the Sekenani Pride, just to the west of Sekenani Gate and another pride near Keekorok airstrip.

Leopards:
Leopard have become elusive, with only a few reported sightings over the month. The long bushes along the river banks and tall grass on the plains make them quite difficult to spot. Olive and Bella are still around their territories and they have been seen though irregularly. The male that is found beyond Rekero has established his territory, and has been seen there quite a few times.

Meanwhile our Siana Springs guests continued to enjoy the sighting of a female leopard around Kissinger Area and another one just after Sekenani Gate in the typical ‘leopard pose’ up the trees scanning the plains and open ground for action

Cheetah:
Cheetah sightings were not good at the beginning of May, but also improved markedly towards the end of the month. As well as regular sightings of a female with a single cub near the hippo pool at the main Mara River, our guests have been treated to several encounters with a female to the northeast of the Intrepids and Explorer camps.

MIGRATION UPDATE
The first sign of the greatest wildlife spectacle this year, the wildebeest migration, is now evident - a large herd of resident zebra migrants from the Loita Plains moving into the reserve from the east. Their entry into the park around this time is usually an indication that the southern migration is eminent. These herds of zebras were seen moving across Olorukoti and Paradise Plains, crossing the Mara River at the main crossing point onto the Mara triangle. Our guests have witnessed a lot of predation at these crossings as the crocodiles welcome their season of plenty.

Watch this space for our updated Migration reports from the frontline.