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.