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!