News from the Maasai Mara, Kenya Wednesday 31st October 2006

The wildebeest have made a really dramatic come back. In a confounding marvel of nature, we are now experiencing a similar scenario like last year where we witnessed a 'second migration'! In just a week, herds in the plains south of the Mara have swelled enormously. In a repeat of the July entry, the herds have been split into two groups, one heading north into the Mara Triangle, and the other southwards to the northern Serengeti before crossing the Sand River Gate - back into the Mara. From this reentry, the westbound herds are spread out over Burrungat, the Central and Meta Plains, with some animals already crossing the Mara River near Lookout Hill.

The northwards bound herds are now around Mara Intrepids, while most of the herds have settled temporarily on the short grass from a previous burning. The unseasoned rains have played a crucial role in the sprouting of the grass, and most importantly, attracting these herds back. The crossing points in the north around Paradise Plains are awash with activities, with easy back and forth crossings since most of the rivers almost empty.

Predators
There are still a lot of predation activities in the Mara even in the brief absence of the migrating herds from some areas. The lions had started to adopting lean period hunting tactics, but with the return of the herds, so has the season of plenty. The Ridge Pride has been roaming their territory bar two males who are now serving the females from Olkiombo Pride abandoned by their males. In the gist of events, should other males come into the fold, the progeny of the Olkiombo Pride could be killed in the harsh jungle law of maintaining one's own offspring.

Leopard sightings increased over the past week, with a young waterbuck kill right in front of Mara Explorer in full view of the guests. The same leopard later killed another waterbuck in the same location and proceeded to hoist both kills up the tree. Cheetah sighing has been good as well.


As usual, if you have any interesting accounts of wildlife activities in the Maasai Mara, please feel free to drop a line to our head guide, Paul Kirui, at: safariguide@mara-intrepids.co.ke. From all at Heritage Hotels, we wish you happy migration watching!