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.
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