The Great Wildebeest Migration in the Maasai Mara 2019

During the second half of July, huge herds of migrating wildebeest and zebra crossed over from the Serengeti in Tanzania to Mara in Kenya. These massive herds have not been seen in recent years the Mara.

Weather

It is cool with light rain.

The Wildebeest

The wildebeest are grazing on the short and very palatable grass that crops up after the controlled fire to get rid of the old grass. Soon after the grass fires the rains started in June resulting in fresh grass covering the national reserve.

During the past few weeks great herds have moved up north from the south (Serengeti), across the Sand River and into the Mara where the herds split.

Some herds moved east to the plains of Meta, Burungat and Possee heading north towards the Talek River and Olkeju Rongai River treating all to superb river crossings of the wildebeest. Mara Explorer and Mara Intrepids Camps are in the midst of the wildebeest migration.

Another big herd moved west after crossing the Sand River around the Lookout Hill. They eventually made it to the Mara River where many crossings happened over several days. As they crossed into the Mara Triangle they seemed to be headed towards the western side of the park.

At Double Cross the wildebeest and zebra that had earlier crossed from the Topi Plains are returning via the eastern side of the Rhino Ridge.

The Big Cats

Lions

Since there is plenty of food during the migration season, there are higher chances for the cubs to survive.

Ridge Pride

There are lions with six cubs from two different females.

Enkuyanai Pride

It has seven cubs from two different females.

Elephants

They are in big numbers but seem to be moving away from the herds of wildebeest. On the eastern and the southern side of Rhino Ridge where the migrating herds have not yet reached, there are big elephant families. The grass is here is long and very lush for the elephants to graze.

By Koikai, senior driver-guidePrepared by: Lorraine Onyango – Marketing.

Samburu's Sad Mother Nanai

Recently this mother by the name Nanai has been modeling with her three cabs. She has been longing to bringing up one of the biggest prides in Samburu region. The kids have really been growing very fast the reason for the mum’s pride.  Unfortunately her dreams were not without challenges. She lost one of the cabs last weeks. She has since been very careful with her remaining two cabs. Most of the time she has been sighted recent she has been without cabs and on very strategic places.

We had several good and unique sightings this week.

Beisa Oryx

Grazing on the flat plains of buffalo springs reserve were several browsers and grazers. They prefer flat plains so that they are able to see a predator from a distance. Beisa Oryx is one of the special five animals that we have around. Following the previous season plenty rains, there is enough grass for these cute Oryx only found in Samburu regions. Their unique tall ringed horns and clear black line marking on their body with perfect blend of brown and white colors is the main source of beauty. They are heterogeneous so you will find them in herds

White River Female

This cute female leopard has been making us proud every day of the week. Mainly found in the area of the now all whether white river. She has been pausing for every tourist for unique photos. Surely if it was a fashion contest she would easily walked away as overall winner. She is our Miss tourism Samburu.

She has been very lucky with kills. More than once we have found her enjoying the meat on top of the tree. This has only made her look prettier. One of the evenings she showcased how she does by bring down a full grown up he-impala

 The Lucky Cheetah

Sharing the same territory with oryx, impalas, grant gazelles and other antelopes, these cheetahs had plenty of time hunting the smaller antelopes. Only half of the chases, which last from 20 - 60 seconds, are successful. They are found mostly in these partially open savannas because they rely on tall grasses for camouflage when hunting. They are diurnal (more active in the day) and hunt mostly during the late morning or early evening.

Unlike other big cats, cheetahs cannot roar. However, they can purr on both inhale and exhale, like domestic cats!

Did You Know?

When cheetahs are running, they use their tails to help them steer and turn in the direction they want to go, like the rudder of a boat.

Physically Challenged Room

We have a well-designed and ideal room for guests with physical challenges and have ensured that their mobility in the room will not face any obstacles. The room is well thought out and gives our guests the required space to turn around since all areas are accessible by a wheelchair. Just like the rest of the lodge rooms, the room for the physically challenged has a modern decor, beautifully furnished and with anything you will need for a perfect getaway.

Features:

Guest Room

• The room is located on the ground floor with ease of access and exit in case of emergencies
• Has enough space to accommodate an extra bed for a helper
•  Entry door is  100 CM wide
• Peephole installed at 114 CM – ideal for wheel chair users
• The electronic in-room safe is installed at shoulder-height of a sitting person (85 CM)
• Lower cloth rail in the closet fixed to allow ease access and use
• Double bed
• The top of the mattress is 58 CM high
• Between the bed and closet width of 100 CM for easy maneuvering
•  Plug socket at 65 CM high
• Light Switch at 105 CM high
• Private roll-out balcony

Bathroom

• Door to the bathroom is 100 CM wide
• Roll-in shower
•  Flexible wall-mounted shower seat
• The sink is 75 CM high with clearance below the sink to allow access to wheel chair users
•  Faucets are lever operated
• Toilet height is 43 CM 
• Flip-up grab bars on each side of the toilet and shower cubicle
• Mirror is 97 CM high
• The shower spray unit features a hose of 150 CM in length and can be used both as a fixed shower head and a hand-held unit

CAPTIVATING NATURE

Grosbeak weaver/Thick-billed weaver (Amblyospiza albifrons)

- The thick-billed weaver constructs a distinctive nest which is compact, woven with thin strips of reeds and hung between the upright stems of reeds.

-  It is globe-shaped with the entrance (unlike other weaver nests) near the top and facing to the side.

- The male weaves the nest with fine material leaving a neat impression, but the weave is in fact not as complex or developed as that of other weaver species.

- The initial entrance is large, but when a female has chosen the nest the entrance reduced to a narrow opening.

- Thick-billed weaver colonies may involve a single male, or may contain several males, and is usually established in a reed.

- Thick-billed weavers are polygamous, in that a single male attempts to attract and mate with several females.

-  A male may attract up to six females, and up to three nests may be active in any male's territory at once.

-  When found at low density there are many apparently monogamous pairs, but they normally nest in small colonies.

-  After mating the female normally will lay a clutch of 3 whitish pink eggs, spotted with red, purple and brown.

-  The incubation of the eggs is carried out solely by the female.

- This lasts 14 to 16 days and the chicks are fed by regurgitation by the female until they fledge, though occasionally the male may also feed the young.

- The chicks fledge after about 18 to 20 days in the nest.

- The nests are vulnerable to predation and recorded nest predators include the white-browed coucal, house crow and the Nile monitor.

- After the nests have been used by the weavers they may be commandeered by climbing mice, or used for breeding by the orange-breasted waxbill or brown fire finch.

    Did you know that:

-  Male impalas produce a scent from a gland on their foreheads to advertise their status to rivals.

TREES/SCRUB

         Common Name:  Castor Oil Plant

          Swahili Name: Mbarika

                           

 Usage and treatment

·         Part used- Roots bark,leaves, & fruits

v  Castor is a plant that produces seeds (beans). Castor oil is produced by pressing ripe seeds that have had their outer covering (hull) removed.

v  The hull contains a deadly poison called ricin. Castor oil has been used as medicine for centuries.

v  Castor seeds without the hull are used for birth control, constipation, leprosy, and syphilis.

v  Castor oil is used as a laxative for constipation, to start labor in pregnancy, and to start the flow of breast milk.

v  Some people apply castor seed paste to the skin as a poultice for inflammatory skin disorders, boils, carbuncles, pockets of infection (abscesses), inflammation of the middle ear, and migraine headaches.

v  Castor oil is used topically to soften skin, bunions and corns; and to dissolve cysts, growths, and warts.

v   It is also applied to the skin for osteoarthritis.

v  Some women put castor oil inside the vagina for birth control or to cause an abortion. Castor oil is used in the eyes to soothe membranes irritated by dust or other materials.

v  In manufacturing, castor seeds are used to make paints, varnishes, and lubricating oils.

v  Ricin from the hull of the castor seed has been tested as a chemical warfare agent. Weapons-grade ricin is purified and produced in particles that are so small they can be breathed in.

The smaller the particle size, the more poisonous the ricin. You may remember that ricin was found in letters sent to some Congress members and the White House, and in the possession of people linked to terrorist and anti government groups.

Ziwani Chef's Cuisine

Ingredients

v  Balsamic vinegar-1 cup

v  Brown sugar-3 table spoons

v  3 large tomatoes cut in thin slices

v  1 packet of mozzarella cheese cut in thin round slice

v   Fresh Basil leaves 1 packet

v  1 tea spoon salt

v  Pinch black pepper

v  ¼ cup extra virgin Olive oil

Add all ingredients to the list

`Directions

• Stir balsamic vinegar and brown sugar in a small sauce pan bring to a high heat.
• Bring to boil reduce heat and simmer over low heat until the vinegar reduces to ¾ cup,approximately 10 mins. Set the balsamic aside to cool
• Arrange alternate slices of tomato and mozzarella cheese decoratively on a serving platter. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper, spread fresh basil leaves over the salad, and drizzle with olive oil and the balsamic reduction.
• Fresh Basil Pesto Recipe

Ingredients

1. 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed (can sub half the basil leaves with baby spinach)
2. 1/2 cup freshly grated  or Parmesan-or grana da tavola cheese
3. 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil.
4. 1/3 cup pine nuts (can sub chopped walnuts)
5. 3 garlic cloves, minced (about 3 teaspoons)

METHOD

1. Pulse basil and pine nuts in a food processor: Place the basil leaves and pine nuts into the bowl of a food processor and pulse a several times.
2. Add the garlic and cheese: Add the garlic and Parmesan or Romano cheese and pulse several times more. Scrape down the sides of the food processor with a rubber spatula.
3. Stream in the olive oil: While the food processor is running, slowly add the olive oil in a steady small stream. Adding the olive oil slowly, while the processor is running, will help it emulsify and help keep the olive oil from separating. Occasionally stop to scrape down the sides of the food processor.
4. Stir in salt and freshly ground black pepper, add more to taste.

Toss with pasta for a quick sauce, dollop over baked potatoes, or spread onto crackers or toasted slices of bread.

NB-PESTO AND BALSAMIC ARE UNIVERSAL VERSATILE SAUCES CAN ACCOMPANY OTHER DISHES SUCH AS:-

TOMATO BRUSCHETTA

PEAS AND POTATO CURRY WITH BALSAMIC REDUCTION

By Chef Donasian Msangi.

HARTLAUB’S TURACO (Tauraco hartlaubi)

The Hartlaub’s Turacos (Tauraco hartlaubi) have been at the Great Rift Valley Lodge since mid-November 2018, having flown in from the neighbouring Eburru forest during the recent drought. The colourful turacos love to feed on the fruits of the Chinese berry, the Rhus natalensis, pepper tree and fig tree.

The turacos are in the bird family Musophagidae (literally ‘banana-eaters’), which includes plantain-eaters and go-away birds. In southern Africa both turacos and go-away birds are commonly known as loeries.

They are semi-zygodactylous. This means that the fourth (outer) toe can be twitched back and forth. The second and third toes, which always point forward, are conjoined in some species.

The turacos are noted for peculiar and unique pigments giving them their bright green and red feathers.

They are medium-sized arboreal birds endemic to sub-Saharan Africa, where they live in forests, woodland and savanna.

Their flight is weak, but they run quickly through the tree canopy. They feed mostly on fruits but will also eat leaves, buds and flowers, occasionally taking small insects, snails, and slugs.

As their name suggests, turacos enjoy bananas and can become tame as to be hand-fed. They are also partial to grapes and pawpaw (papaya).

They build large stick nests in trees, and lay 2 or 3 eggs. The young are born with thick down and open or nearly-open eyes.

TANO BORA CHEETAHS

This coalition of five cheetahs in the Masai Mara moved to Olare Orok Conservancy recently taking a break from their territory in Masai Mara reserve. This famous coalition of five – the biggest ever recorded of unrelated males - could have sought new hunting grounds because it might be easier to hunt away from the Masai who take their cows to graze in the reserve at night forcing the cats to move away from their territories.

Anyway soon after crossing into Olare Orok Conservancy, the famous five hunted their first prey - a young warthog.

The Cheetahs feasted on the warthog which was just a snack for them.

As they were eating we noticed that one of the cheetahs had a severe injury on the testicle.

We immediately called cheetah researcher, Dr. Elena V.Chelysheva who is the founder of the Mara Meru Cheetah Project. She was not aware of the injury and alerted Dr. Limo who is the Kenya Wildlife Service vet. The researcher arrived soon followed by Dr. Limo who treated the cheetah.

A few days later the cheetahs crossed the Talek River and into the reserve spending most of the time in the open plains where it is easier to hunt.

The treated cheetah back on his paws.

Written by Pauline Omaribe

Photos by Mara Intrepids driver guide Silas Siele and Mara Meru Cheetah Project.