Mara:Wednesday 17th November 2004

November 17th 2004



Finally the longest wildebeest migration in living memory appears to be over, with only a few ‘stragglers’ still remaining on the plains of the Maasai Mara.



However, there are still thousands of wildebeest to be seen in the Mara, courtesy of the herds from Loita, which traditionally remain here until later in the year. These herds should stay in the Mara until late December or early January (as long as the long rains do not arrive early and make the plains too wet), when they will head for their calving grounds on the Loita Plains.



Following the short rains of recent weeks, most of the plains that were recently burnt are now teeming with young shoots of grass and native ‘tissue-paper’ flowers. This adds to the beauty of the plains, with large herds of smaller herbivores roaming freely with little fear of predators, which no longer have much cover to hide in.



Over the past week, the last of the Serengeti herds have been crossing west into the Mara Conservancy at Paradise crossing point, from where they head straight south towards the Serengeti. The Loita herds, meanwhile, are congregating around Bila Shaka, Rhino Ridge, the areas north of Mara Intrepids and Explorer camps, and just over the reserve’s northern boundary.



The Mara’s Big Cats are still active and can be seen with ease in their respective territories.

Mara:Monday 8th November 2004

November 6th 2004



After the longest migration in living memory, the stage is now set for a mass exodus of the migratory wildebeest and zebra herds back to the plains of the Serengeti.



By last weekend, the herds in the Mara Conservancy had begun to move en masse northwards towards Oloololo Gate – raising the unusual prospect that they might stay even longer in the Maasai Mara. However, by last Wednesday the situation had reversed, and the herds that had congregated around Oloololo Gate and Musiara Marsh began to move back south, crossing into the Conservancy at the busy Paradise crossing point.



It was at this point on the Mara River that the animals’ instinctive nature could be witnessed in all its raw and unfathomable intensity. While hundreds of wildebeest and zebra had massed on the western side of the river, it was clearly against their nature to cross eastwards – and most just stared at the water for some minutes before turning around and resuming their inexorable march south.



For the past three days, the southern Mara plains have been witness to lines of wildebeest stretching up to 10 kilometres long – all striding steadily southwards. At this pace, we estimate it will only be another 10 days before all the Serengeti herds have returned to Tanzania, and the Mara will be left with its own Loita wildebeest population, which are always the last to leave. In some years, they do not leave until January – but it could be even later this year!



Watch this space for what could be our concluding chapter next week.

Mara: Wednesday 29th September 2004

The ‘Second Migration’ currently blessing the Maasai Mara has moved into a spectacular new phase, as the wildebeest herds abandon the overgrazed central plains for greener and lusher pastures on the edge of the reserve. Most of the herds that had congregated on the Central and Burrungat plains have now moved northwards across the Talek River to graze on the Paradise Plains, the areas around Musiara Gate, and the villages beyond the reserve border.



However, there remain large herds on the Central Plains around the Mara Intrepids and Explorer camps, where several staff believe the concentration is the greatest in more than 10 years. As a result, most parts of the Eastern Mara are seeing only very scanty herds, although there are more zebras than usual between Sekenani and Talek gates.



Bella the female leopard continues to give superb sightings to Explorer guests along the Talek River, where she has set up a perfect ‘ambush spot’ overlooking one of the busier crossing points. The Olkiombo pride of lions are just a few kilometres upstream, where they are also enjoying a productive period of hunting.



Crossings continue to be active at the Paradise Point, where more animals are still arriving from the Mara Conservancy. The concentration of herds is also high in the Conservancy itself, although the herds are thinning out in the northern section around Oloololo Gate.



Watch this space for more epic news from one of the greatest wildebeest migrations ever!

Mara: Tuesday 5th October 2004

October 4th 2004



Subtle signs in the patterns of wildebeest movements across the Mara confirm that the exodus back to the Serengeti has now begun in earnest. After weeks of crossing the Mara River in an easterly direction, the herds have at last begun to head back en masse into the Mara Conservancy. At the southern end of the Conservancy, the herds that have been congregating here have now begun to drift further south towards the Tanzanian border.



Despite these early signs of a mass southerly movement, there remains a high concentration of wildebeest in the central Mara Triangle, with some herds moving north towards Oloololo Gate and crossing into Musiara Marsh before heading back south. Last week saw continuing eastward crossings near Lookout Hill, with small groups joining with the larger herds moving south from Roan Hill and Possee Plain.



The general confusion of all these late movements has probably been exacerbated by an unexpected early rainfall, which has watered much of the Mara over the past week. However, the late movements have also had unexpected benefits for the resident leopard and cheetah, who have been treating guests at Mara Intrepids and Explorer to a host of exciting – and often successful – hunts. It has also provided an unexpected boost to filmmakers who are in the area producing a sixth series of the record-breaking documentary Big Cat Diary, which the BBC will be showing as Big Cat Week in early January 2005.



Stay on this page, for more breaking news from the never-ending 2004 migration!

Mara: Friday 8th October 2004

October 8th 2004



True to our reports last week, the mass exodus of wildebeest from the Maasai Mara has finally begun in earnest. A rare scattering of rain in the southern Mara last week may have signalled to the herds that their departure is now overdue.



It continues to be a busy time at the Paradise crossing point, with most wildebeest crossing over to the Mara Conservancy before heading south towards the Serengeti. Those from Rhino Ridge and Bila Shaka continue to cross the Talek River near Mara Intrepids before heading south onto the Burrungat and Central plains. There have also been a lot of eastward crossings near Lookout Hill, before the herds turn south towards the Tanzanian border.



However, the overall picture is still not without confusion, with some rangers at Sand River Gate reporting some herds starting to head north again! The herds from the Loita Hills are also ‘hanging around’ – perhaps reluctant to leave our little piece of paradise! But then again, these herds are always the last to leave…

Mara: Monday 18th October 2004

The wildebeest herds have continued their southbound trek over the past week, leaving only isolated clusters on the Mara plains. There have been almost constant westward crossings at the Paradise crossing point and Lookout Hill, while long lines of wildebeest continue to snake south across the plains.

Most of the Loita herds, meanwhile, continue to remain in the reserve, as they often tend to do. The common plains game that often accompany the wildebeest herds – Topi, Thomson’s gazelles, and Impala – are also still around in large numbers, providing plentiful targets for one mother cheetah training her three young cubs on the plains.

The other big cats have also been active, with two prides of lions and Bella the leopard all successfully hunting, particularly at the busy river crossings near the Mara Intrepids and Explorer camps. These cats are providing a field day for the presenters of the BBC’s Big Cat Week, which is shooting its sixth series in preparation for its airing in the first week of January 2005.

Watch this space for more news from the world’s wildest frontline next week!

Mara: Tuesday 26th October 2004

With the continuing failure of the short rains in the northern Serengeti, the wildebeest herds have temporarily abandoned their mass southbound movement – giving Kenyan visitors the unexpected treat of wildebeest on the Mara plains in late October. Those herds still in the Mara can be seen mainly around Rhino Ridge, the Bila Shaka area, Engoikwaatet salt lick in the Mara Triangle, and the central plains around Mara Intrepids and Explorer camps.



The herds are now concentrating in the areas that were not burned last month, where there is still some grass. (The areas burned in September remain bare as there has not been sufficient rain to bring back the grass.) Over the past two or three days, there have been scattered showers over most areas of the Mara, which we believe will keep the wildebeest here for a little longer.



The Big Cats, meanwhile, continue to seize the unexpected glut of hunting opportunities. Bella the leopard and her cub are still at their favorite ambush sites along the banks of the Talek River. Twice in the past week she has had to battle with baboons to save her cub from their menacing advances. The Olkiombo pride of lions has also been busy hunting the transient herds at various crossing points on the Talek, while the cubs of Kike the cheetah have been seen several times just south of the Talek on the Burrungat Plains.

Mara: Monday 1st November 2004

The great wildebeest migration proved its capacity for constant surprises this week, when – a week after they appeared to be leaving Kenya for good – tens of thousands of wildebeest decided to remain behind in the Maasai Mara.



Throughout the Mara, the wildebeest began moving against the flow of their usual migratory patterns, with some herds heading north inside the Mara Conservancy and east at the Paradise crossing point, while others congregated to the south of the Conservancy Headquarters and up the main escarpment. At Musiara Marsh, the week brought the highest concentration of the entire migration, while – despite poor grass cover across most of the central Mara – there remained large herds around Rhino Ridge, Mara Intrepids and Explorer camps, the Burrungat Plains, and Lookout Hill.



With the dry weather earlier in the week, the main watering holes were teeming with activity, although widespread showers in the latter half of the week caused many of the herds to start drifting away from the waterpoints. Most of us are still expecting the herds to start leaving for the Serengeti soon, but we remain reluctant to make a definitive pronouncement on the subject while the wildebeest continue to exhibit such a strong mind of their own!



Once again, the only way to be completely sure of what is happening on the ground is to tune in to your ever-regular, ever-reliable Migration Update from Heritage Hotels!

Mara: Tuesday 14th September 2004

September 13th 2004



With the return of a ‘second migration’ from the northern Serengeti over the past fortnight, guests in the Maasai Mara have been treated to a host of wild experiences usually reserved for the busier months of July and August. Besides the denser wildebeest herds on the Central, Meta and Burrrungat plains, it has been a busy couple of weeks on the Mara River, with hundreds of animals still crossing into the Mara Conservancy close to Lookout Hill. In the middle of last week, large herds also began crossing at the Paradise point in the eastern part of the river. For the remainder of the week, visitors were treated to crossings that lasted between two and three hours each morning.



While the herds on the Burrungat and Meta plains have begun to move eastwards towards Sekenani Gate, those building up in the Mara Conservancy have also begun drifting towards the northern part of the reserve. However, with the grass getting longer as they move towards Oloololo Gate, their progress is expected to slow down during the next week. Some of the herds that had gathered on the Burrungat Plains the week before last have since crossed the Talek River and are now congregating in the vicinity of Rhino Ridge. Although overall wildebeest numbers have remained lower than usual this year – with many herds remaining in the well-watered northern Serengeti – the migration has made up for any lack of numbers with a record-breaking show of longevity.



Keep watching this space, as the guides from Heritage Hotels continue to bring you the latest ‘breaking news’ from the migration frontline!

Mara: Saturday 18th September 2004

September 17th 2004



The rains that pounded the Maasai Mara last week continued to dictate the patterns of our surprise ‘second migration’ this week. Most of the wildebeest continued to congregate in the short grass areas on the central plains, which were recently burned to promote their growth. There were also active river crossings of herds moving into the Mara Conservancy by Lookout Hill, as well as others crossing the Talek River near Mara Intrepids on their way north to Rhino Ridge.



Meanwhile, thousands of wildebeest who had earlier crossed westwards by Lookout Hill have begun crossing eastwards at the Paradise crossing point. With the plains in the Conservancy increasingly denuded by grazing, more animals are also heading north towards Oloololo Gate, where the grass is generally longer and tougher.



The prides of lions in our game-viewing area continue to have a field day as the herds pass through their territory. Bella, the leopard star of the BBC’s Big Cat Diary, is also providing regular sightings, as are several resident cheetah. Once again, this year’s ‘second migration’ is providing visitors to the Mara with some of the best game-viewing on record.

Mara: Monday 6th September 2004

September 4th 2004



The concentration of wildebeest in the Maasai Mara has intensified considerably over the past week, with continuing showers on the Central and Burrungat plains leading to an unexpected ‘second migration’. Despite predictions of an early exodus of the Serengeti herds, the wildebeest have once again confounded scientific wisdom by moving north to stay with the greener pastures on the Kenyan side of the border.



During the past few days, our surveys have shown that most of the herds that had settled on the burnt plains in the northern Serengeti are now moving back into the Mara en masse, making their situation look like a ‘new beginning’ to the migration. There are a few active crossing points by Lookout Hill, with lots of animals crossing into the Mara Triangle, while a second, larger herd is currently crossing the Talek River near Mara Intrepids and Explorer. Some of these animals are even beginning to retrace their earlier eastward steps towards Sekenani Gate.



The big cats – lions, leopards and cheetahs – continue to have a field day, lining up in the choicest ambush locations along the Talek River. The local resident leopard, Bella, has been particularly active, notching up kills of a wildebeest and a Grant’s gazelle over the past couple of days.



While large wildebeest herds remain in the Mara Conservancy, particularly along the base of the escarpment, we have also been witnessing daily crossings to the Paradise Plains at the Paradise crossing points. Even more movement is predicted in the coming week, with continuing light showers across much of the Mara.



Watch this space for more breaking news from the migration frontline!

Mara: Saturday 28th August 2004

The rains continued in the Mara this week, though it was drier earlier, the rains that came a couple of days ago brought some relief to the wildebeest and zebra. Whereas a higher concentration is still found on the recently burnt areas, most herds are now moving into the long grass section mainly to the east of the Mara River and to the north of the Mara triangle. This is because the grass in these areas in now soft after the rains. The majority of the animals here however are the zebra because naturally they prefer longer grass due to their strong digestive system. Other animals, i.e. Topi, Impala and Thomson gazelles are trailing behind feeding on the short nutritious shoots of the mainly red oat grass.

There have been intermitent crossings at the paradise and look out crossing points. The crossings at paradise have been bi-directional with the herds moving back and forth. At least a couple hundreds were counted drowned. Though the water level is not high, the main cause of most casualties is the stampede.

The predators are also hanging around the herds and seizing any available moments to get themselves meals. To the east of Mara Explorer, about a kilometre, Bella the female leopard has been mking a kill almost regularly around her hideout. She has established herself a perfect spot where the herds cross often on the Talek river.

Not far from there are two prides of lions using the same

techniques to hunt. They are now permanently based here, just moving around the one kilometre radius ( of course why would anybody move far away from the food resource).



(MORE FROM THE MIRATION FRONLINE AGAIN NEXT WEEK-)



HAPPY WEEKEND

Mara: Monday 23rd August 2004

August 23, 2004

The migration patterns in the Mara continue to change by day. After the one and a half week long rain, most herds headed to the recently burnt grounds because of the new lush grass that shot up after the rain. You understand why it is so when you look at these plains now with a striking green. Most herds are now concentrated on the western part of the Mara triangle along the foot of the Oloololo escarpment. A visit to the area two days ago showed that the herds have retreated from the long grass areas near Oloololo gate and along the Mara River. On the eastern side of the Mara River there are still quite a few herds on Paradise plains, rhino ridge, central and Burrungat plains. However, they are so scattered unlike earlier when they were concentrated. There have been crossings at the paradise crossing point every day with few animals

crossing back over to the Mara conservancy, and a few herds heading back to the northwestern Serengeti.

We have in the past seen similar situations where the wildebeest would come into the Mara then in a month disappear back into the Serengeti only to reappear a month later. We think it may be the same this year.

In the accompanying map you will notice how the

distribution has changed after the rain.



We will keep you updated from the migration frontline.

Mara:Monday 16th August 2004

WILDEBEEST MIGRATION 2004



August 16, 2004

The wildebeest and zebra herds continue to move randomly throughout the reserve in the past week. However, the rain that swept through the park for the last four days has now changed the movement pattern. Most animals are now headed to recently burnt grasslands in anticipation of lush grazing on the fast growing red oat grass (Themeda triandra). If the rain that came last week is anything to last another week, then these plains will be the center of activities in the coming month, as most herbivores will flock here and so will the predators.



The migratory herds on the Mara triangle continued to amass in the pass week and since most of the plains here were recently burnt, then we expect the most animals to stick here for sometimes. The two herds on the eastern side of the Mara River, one at rhino ridge and the other on the central plains are all drifting westward towards the river and possibly cross onto the triangle. While they are doing this some herds are crossing over from the triangle east onto paradise plains.



The predators have now established their territories where they continue to feed on the transient food. At least four prides of lions of individuals ranging from 17 to 20 have camped between the Talek River to the east of Mara Intrepids and paradise plains.

A female cheetah with three cubs continues to roam around rhino ridge and Bella the female leopard is now seen every day a kilometer to the east of Mara Explorer along the Talek river where was seen killing a grant gazelle last week. This is her favorite spot since some wildebeest come to drink and cross here giving her ample opportunity to feed herself and her one year old son kiayoni



We expect lots of activities in the coming week due to the rains. Please check for our update from the front line again next Friday.

Mara:Saturday 7th August 2004

MIGRATION 2004 UPDATE:



06.08.04



The migration patterns contined to change in the past week to what now looks like the beginning. In our update last week, we reported the herds taking three directions, northerly, easterly and westerly. As we anticipated, the herds that headed towards Sekenani gate to the east, are now heading west again. They found the plains around there already grazed upon by the Masai cattle, and the place dry with not much water.



The herds that headed north are still around rhino ridge and have been joined by a few more herds that came across from the Mara conservancy. Interestingly, they are now heading west and crossing the Mara river, though in smaller groups. But we anticipate the crossings to intensify as the herds continue with the search for better pasture.



The westerly herd, which had a higher concentration than the first two groups, have settled on the Mara triangle. Since there was some burning on the plains south and west of the triangle, there isn‘t enough still for the herds not before we get some reasonable rain. In their ever search for greener pasture, some crossed the Mara river again at the paradise crossing point onto paradise plains to the east, enticed by a recent burn on this plain. Not suprisingly, having found nothing here, they started recrossing back, using another crossing point a few kilometres downstream from the main crossing point. On the southern Mara triangle where most have settled, some are seen to head back into the northen Serengeti where numerous others can be seen across the border.

Ther is another large herd between Roan hill, olmisigiyoi and look out hill headed westward and are crossing the Mara river near look out hill.



Because of the sparodic changes within the migration pattern, with the animals here today gone tommorow, a hundred thousands here one day and only a thousand the next day, to some people this is not the main migration, and that the REAL thing is yet to happen, and thinks these are just the loita herds. We should understand the effect the current climate is having on this phenomena. We have also seen in some past years similar events, when the wildebeest comes and goes within a month, and in such situations, we have always seen e return of the herds a month later.

(WE CONTINUE TO UPDATE YOU FROM THE FRONTLINE)

Mara:Friday 30th 2004

MIGRATION 2004 UPDATE:



30.07.04





A great deal has happened since our update last week concerning the wildebeest migration. The Central and Burrungat plains where the wildebeests first settled after coming from the Serengeti, is almost empty save for a few stragglers. The herd as they left this area took three different directions, the majority crossed into the Mara conservancy. A massive crossing occurred near Look Out hill with most of wildebeest moving into the Mara triangle in anticipation of new shoots of grass fire in the area. Wildebeest seem to associate the burning on the plains with new grass which normally occur after the rains.

In the case of the Conservancy, there hasn‘t been adequate amount of rain save for some light showers, which has done no more than just settle the dust and ashes in the burnt areas. So there is very little for the wildebeest to feed on, not that there is no grass on the eastern side of the Mara River, but there an anticipation of lush grazing which has forever kept the wildebeest on the move. We are now enjoying the sight of the herds re-crossing the Mara River at the Paradise crossing point almost on a daily basis, because of the burning of the grass on Paradise plains. Both the local and the southern populations are now all mixed together and some of the herds have headed eastwards towards Sekenani Gate on the eastern border of the reserve but this area is just as dry as the plains they left behind. Their natural instinct is to believe that “grass is greener” on the other side until proved otherwise. We anticipate that this herd won‘t stay long in this area.



The third group crossed the Talek River and proceeded towards the Rhino Ridge and onto Paradise Plains and are now joining up with the group which have arrived back from the Conservancy area. You will never understand the Wildebeest’s mind set, covering their many decisions to move from one area to another and back again! This group is not as large as the Eastern and the Western herds.



As of now, a higher concentration of animals is on the Conservancy side but they are crossing East in high numbers. The second highest concentration is between Roan hill and Sekenani gate but there are still bigger herds seen across the border in Serengeti. We still expect a lot more activity in the coming weeks.

Mara:Friday 23rd July 2004

MIGRATION 2004 UPDATE



July 23rd 2004



The wildebeest migration in the Maasai Mara seems to be taking on a dramatically different shape every few days. Since last week’s update, light rains drifting across the Possee and Burrungat plains and into the Mara Conservancy have caused the herds to move in three different directions. River crossings are continuing at four different places as herds continue to pour into the Conservancy. Another herd heading due north towards Mara Intrepids and Explorer has been busy crossing the Talek River on both sides of the camps. A third herd has reached the Burrungat Plains and is now heading east towards Sekenani Gate.



Along the Talek River, two prides of lions have taken up position to pick up stragglers at the main river crossings – and Intrepids guests have witnessed several lion kills over the past week. Bella, the female leopard and star of BBC’s Big Cat Diary, and her cub have also taken advantage of the crossings from a hideout at Mutamaiyo Lugga, one of the main streams feeding into the Talek.



Although progress from the south has slowed in recent days, herds continue to amass over the Serengeti border, with some small groups heading west and entering the Mara Conservancy near the Olare Saltlick. Although there will be more herds coming across the border in the coming days, there is more than enough to see in the reserve for the time being!



Watch this space for more information from the migration front line!

15 July 2004

The world’s greatest wildlife spectacle arrived in force in the Maasai Mara this week, as a light rain sweeping across the reserve’s central and southern plains triggered a mass movement of wildebeest and zebra from the northern Serengeti. The single day’s rain marked an almost instant change in the migration, which has been threatening to spill over the Tanzanian border for the past three weeks.

Since the beginning of the week, the Central, Burrungat and Meta plains have been teeming with an estimated 500,000-600,000 wildebeest and zebra – nearly a third of the entire population. A second group of about 100,000 zebra has now separated from the main herds and is heading east onto the Posee Plains.

Meanwhile, hundreds of wildebeest have been crossing into the Mara Conservancy at four points on the Mara River near Lookout Hill, prompting a feeding frenzy among the resident Nile crocodiles. The Loita population of wildebeest and zebra continue to cross at the Paradise crossing point with several groups of Thomson’s gazelle – many of which have already succumbed to the crocs’ waiting jaws.

As we wait for the remainder of the herds gathering on the Serengeti plains to traverse the border, their advance guard is about to cross the Talek River near Mara Intrepids towards Rhino Ridge. Across the central Mara, the plains are alive with the telltale chorus of grunts that shows the greatest movement of mammals on Earth is finally in full swing...

Monday !9th July 2004

 

The world’s greatest wildlife spectacle arrived in force in the Maasai Mara this week, as a light rain sweeping across the reserve’s central and southern plains triggered a mass movement of wildebeest and zebra from the northern Serengeti. The single day’s rain marked an almost instant change in the migration, which has been threatening to spill over the Tanzanian border for the past three weeks.Since the beginning of the week, the Central, Burrungat and Meta plains have been teeming with an estimated 500,000-600,000 wildebeest and zebra – nearly a third of the entire population. A second group of about 100,000 zebra has now separated from the main herds and is heading east onto the Posee Plains.Meanwhile, hundreds of wildebeest have been crossing into the Mara Conservancy at four points on the Mara River near Lookout Hill, prompting a feeding frenzy among the resident Nile crocodiles. The Loita population of wildebeest and zebra continue to cross at the Paradise crossing point with several groups of Thomson’s gazelle – many of which have already succumbed to the crocs’ waiting jaws.As we wait for the remainder of the herds gathering on the Serengeti plains to traverse the border, their advance guard is about to cross the Talek River near Mara Intrepids towards Rhino Ridge. Across the central Mara, the plains are alive with the telltale chorus of grunts that shows the greatest movement of mammals on Earth is finally in full swing... 

 The world’s greatest wildlife spectacle arrived in force in the Maasai Mara this week, as a light rain sweeping across the reserve’s central and southern plains triggered a mass movement of wildebeest and zebra from the northern Serengeti. The single day’s rain marked an almost instant change in the migration, which has been threatening to spill over the Tanzanian border for the past three weeks.Since the beginning of the week, the Central, Burrungat and Meta plains have been teeming with an estimated 500,000-600,000 wildebeest and zebra – nearly a third of the entire population. A second group of about 100,000 zebra has now separated from the main herds and is heading east onto the Posee Plains.Meanwhile, hundreds of wildebeest have been crossing into the Mara Conservancy at four points on the Mara River near Lookout Hill, prompting a feeding frenzy among the resident Nile crocodiles. The Loita population of wildebeest and zebra continue to cross at the Paradise crossing point with several groups of Thomson’s gazelle – many of which have already succumbed to the crocs’ waiting jaws.As we wait for the remainder of the herds gathering on the Serengeti plains to traverse the border, their advance guard is about to cross the Talek River near Mara Intrepids towards Rhino Ridge. Across the central Mara, the plains are alive with the telltale chorus of grunts that shows the greatest movement of mammals on Earth is finally in full swing... 

 

Mara:Monday 12 July 2004

MAASAI MARA MIGRATION UPDATE



July 12th 2004

Although the main body of the southern migration is yet to arrive en masse in the Mara, the past week has brought a tantalising taste of things to come. Driven by the hot weather that has intensified competition for water outside the reserve, thousands of zebra and wildebeest have been moving into the Mara Conservancy from the Loita Hills and congregating on the fertile plains around the Enkoikwaatet salt lick.



Thousands of wildebeest from both the Loita and southern herds have also been gathering on the plains around Mara Intrepids and the Governors camps, as well as the Burrungat and Central Plains to the south. Although the vast majority of the Serengeti herds are still located along the Tanzanian border, the biting heat is likely to drive large numbers north in the coming days. With the drying up of the Sand River, the herds will be forced northwards to the more reliable waters of the Talek and Mara rivers.



The Mara predators are also gradually waking up to the feast of ’fast food’ moving through their territories. Guests at safari camps along the Talek River have been treated to several lion , cheetah and leopard hunts in the past week – and the ’feast for all senses’ will certainly pick up in the days ahead.

Mara: Monday 5th July 2004

Since our report last week on the early progress of the wildebeest migration, small broken herds of wildebeest have continued crossing the Tanzanian border into the Maasai Mara. Herds continue to amass around the Sand River Gate and the area beneath the Naimalumbwa Hills, drawn by sporadic rainfall - and the promise of young grass beginning to shoot - along the Serengeti border. Although this rainfall has had the effect of slowing down the progress of the main migration, it is anticipated that the wildebeest will soon resume their northward movement.



The "second migration" of zebra and wildebeest from the Loita Hills also continues to enter the Mara from the Talek area and areas northeast of Mara Intrepids and east of Musiara Gate. To first-time visitors, this may look like the main migration, but more experienced migration-watchers will know that the real action has yet to begin! We will keep reporting to you from the "migration frontline" as the action progresses.

Mara: Sunday 27th June 2004

Small broken herds of wildebeest have crossed into the Mara, there are still herds around Sand river gate and towards Naimalumbwa hills, a few kilometers into the Northern Serengeti.

After our fact finding trip last week, we had some rain along the border of the Mara and the Serengeti on a large patch of burnt grasslands on the Serengeti side. The wildebeest are usually attracted to such places after the rains because of anticipation of new growth of grass.

On visiting sand river, we noted that the northbound movement has slowed down due to animals concentrating on the burnt areas in the Serengeti. There is no burning at present in the Mara but it is expected that the herds will soon embark across the border into Kenya.

The Loita population of mainly zebra and a few wildbeest are still entering the Mara in the Talek region and just north east of Mara Intrepids and Musiara gate. To many visitors to the Mara, the arrival of these herds may look like the main migration but the real spectacle is yet to happen. The next report from Mara Intrepids on the position of the migration will be week ending the 2nd July 2004.

Mara: Friday 18th June 2004

All indications now suggest that the annual Maasai Mara migration is about to begin in earnest. Large herds of zebras from the loita have moved into the park from the east about a week ago. They are currently to the east of Musiara gate and Mara Intrepids. This usually precedes the main migration from the south. Two weeks ago, one

could not easily see a zebra in the park, and their arrival really is a good sign of things to come. A fact finding trip to the border of the Mara and Serengeti, and 15km into northern Serengeti showed broken, fast moving northbound herds of mainly zebra crossing the sand river into Maasai Mara. From experience, this is the beginning of the migration. The burnt grasslands in the northern part of Serengeti may help speed their movement north as we are now experiencing some light showers in the Mara. Speaking to the rangers at Bologonja rangers post in northern Serengeti, we gathered that the main herds are just south of Lobo. If they keep coming at the pace at which we saw them today, then the main herds will be in the Mara in another week to two which should be a lot earlier than last year. But at least we have seen all the indication. We will have to keep checking up to confirm the concentration.