Migration Update, Maasai Mara, November 6th 2007

After another lively migration season, the majority of the wildebeest herds have finally left the Mara for the Serengeti. After a busy week at the Paradise crossing point, only a few isolated herds are still 'residing' on the Kenyan side of the border - principally in the Musiara area and the area outside the park to the north. But by next week, these last few herds should also have joined their brethren back in Tanzania.

Looking around the now barren Mara plains, it's easy to understand why most of the wildebeest have left. The combination of a dry spell and overgrazing has played a key role in the continuous southern movement of the herds over the past three weeks. The wildebeest will now be away until June-July next year, when they will be drawn back north by the Mara's rich pastures, transformed into a sea of grass after the long rains of April-May.

From now on, the Mara's predators will have to devise smarter methods of hunting for those grazers that remain in the reserve. At times they will go for longer periods between meals - another natural 'selection process' that will help to ensure that only the stronger animals survive.

Predators
The Mara cats have been having their last easy meals before the migration moves south. Many skeletons still lie across the plains as evidence of the big feasts enjoyed in the last 'season of plenty'. From now on, the lion prides will have to become increasingly mobile in their search for food - particularly those prides with new cubs. Some prides may go to the extent of splitting up to ensure there is more food to go around.

Over the past two weeks, the Ridge Pride has been roaming between the southern base of Rhino Ridge, Mara Intrepids, and the Double Crossing area. They have made some very successful if not easy kills while the wildebeest were all over their territory.

Bella, our female leopard star, is still around and continues to patrol her usual territory along the Talek River. She also took the opportunity when the migration was moving through her territory to capture a few young wildebeest, whose carcasses can still be seen in trees along the river.

Several guests have reported sightings of a cheetah with two cubs between Mara Intrepids and the Paradise Plains. She has been seen catching young gazelle fawns and letting her cubs use them for 'hunting practice'. Cheetah sightings have generally been excellent during this past season.

Wishing you all happy (visual) hunting from Heritage Hotels!

Paul Kirui, Lead Safari Guide, Heritage Hotels.
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Migration Update, Maasai Mara, October 4th 2007

The wildebeest are still in the Mara, although not in the same concentrations as two weeks ago. There are patchy herds in the north of the reserve, around the Musiara Gate and down towards Rhino Ridge. The other main concentration is gathered around Lookout Hill, from where the herds are now drifting south into the northern Serengeti.

The last fortnight has been dry and hot and most temporary pools have dried up, forcing the animals to converge at watering holes or streams during the day. The more concentrated herds are in areas that were not burned and still have a relative abundance of grass. The most dominant species of grass is the red oat grass, which regenerates quicker the more it is fed upon.


There has not been much activity at the Mara River either, with only a handful of animals crossing in either direction at the points near Lookout Hill and the Paradise crossing. Predation by crocodiles has dwindled, although a recent rise in the river level caused by rain in the Mau ranges caused several animals to drown – giving the crocs an easy meal. There are still piles of carcasses at the southern Mara Bridge, and the stench can only be endured by those with tough noses – or a heavy cold!

Most of the Mara’s antelopes – topi, hartebeest, impala and Thomson’s gazelles – are now having their young, providing the predators with more easy prey. Cheetahs with young cubs are the major beneficiaries of this birthing season. They normally catch and bring live gazelle fawns to their cubs to train them how to run after and bring down prey.

There are currently seven different prides of lions within our game-viewing territory, which are all being sighted daily by Intrepids and Explorer guests. Leopard sightings have also been good, with almost daily sightings of the female with two cubs and our star leopard Bella. Cheetah sightings have also been frequent, with some guests lucky enough to witness successful hunts. There is currently one female cheetah with two very young cubs near Mara Explorer. The mother with four surviving cubs, which had moved to the newly created Olare Orok Conservancy, is now back where her cubs were born last August, just east of Explorer.

Happy wildlife watching from all of us at Heritage Hotels – your home in the wilderness!

Paul Kirui, Lead Tour Guide Heritage Hotels.

Migration Update, Maasai Mara, September 17th 2007

Two weeks after tricking us into believing that they had returned to the Serengeti for good, the wildebeest migration has once again proven its capacity for the unexpected. Over the past 10 days, the concentration of wildebeest in the central part of the Mara has swelled to an enormous number. Although most of the herds had moved back over the border via the Mara Triangle, they then made a U-turn to re-enter the Mara around the Enkoikwateet salt lick, where some herds had originally entered in July.

In fact, the entire migration map now appears like a new beginning, with high concentrations of wildebeest on the Olorukoti and Paradise plains. Westbound herds have again spread out on the Topi Plains, while herds from the Mara Triangle have begun crossing the Mara River at the main Paradise crossing point. Over the past three days, our guests have witnessed many animals crossing around here. While many animals are crossing over from the Mara Triangle, just as in the early days, others are heading north, and a western concentration has built up around Serena and south towards the border. Most of the other areas south of the Talek River up to Keekorok Lodge have very few animals, as most herds are concentrated in the western and northern areas of the reserve.

Most herds have settled temporarily on the plains around Rhino Ridge, where there was extensive burning of grass, and which are now sprouting with short fresh grass – fed by the recent unexpected rains. The crossing points around Paradise Plains have been alive with activity, with hundreds of animals crossing back and forth. The water in the river is quite high here, making these crossings even more dramatic.

Predators
The return of the wildebeest has brought renewed vigour to the activities of the Big Cats, particularly among the lions. The Ridge Pride continues to roam in its territory, and has been regularly sighted between Intrepids and the airstrip over the past few days. Leopard sightings have also improved during the past week, with Bella frequently seen along the river west of Intrepids and Zawadi spotted several times with her two cubs close to Musiara Springs. Cheetah sightings have also been good, with the short grass in most areas making the elusive cats much easier to spot.


Paul Kirui, Lead Safari Guide, Heritage Hotels
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Migration Update, Maasai Mara, August 31st 2007

The migration has changed dramatically in the past two weeks. All the herds from the eastern side of the Mara River have crossed back west into the Mara triangle - the western side of the park - and the area around Look Out Hill before heading south into northern Serengeti! This was a quick exit, since they were expected to stay in the Mara ecosystem till November at the least, as is always the case. Our guides attributed this to the change in the rain pattern - part of the global phenomenon - and the burning of the grass in northern Serengeti, as key to this change of events.




There is a high concentration of herds on the Serengeti side of the border on recently burnt plains. There is usually a massive burning of the grass in July in the northern Serengeti, - ostensibly to stem the migration from crossing into the Mara - and when the short rains come in August, these plains flourish with lush nutritious grass thereby attracting many herbivores including the migrating herds.

All indicators, though, are that the herds inside Serengeti are bound for the Mara again, and that this exit is temporary as shown by their movements. Once inside the Serengeti are heading west along the burn grounds, feeding as they move and entering the Mara again by the Engoikuatet salt lick area. Last week marked the beginning of a series of crossings when several herds crossed the Mara at the traditional points below Look Out Hill though in smaller groups. From the experience of the 1998 and 2005 migrations, where they made a come back in September indicates we might have a ‘Double-migration’ in the offing! However, the change in the rain patterns and the confusion brought by sporadic burning of the grass are either side of the border is expected to cause some changes in the concentration and duration of stay in the Mara. The recent burning of the grass around Rhino Ridge might also play a role in attracting the herds if we get some rain to make the grass grow again.

Most of the central Mara is now almost empty with a few herds only to the north around Musiara Gate and to the south around Look Out Hill.

PREDATORS

The cats are beginning to adjust to the situation brought by sudden departure of the large herbivores in most areas, which inadvertently has affected the expected ‘season of plenty’. Lion prides. cheetah, leopards and hyenas will, in true predator instincts, eat what they can as they await the re-entry of the herds. zebras, Thompson gazelles, warthogs and topis will make the diet for now.

Despite this there were good sightings of the major predators over the week. Bella can now be seen frequently along the Talek River near Mara Intrepids, and our guests have seen a number of kills. Cheetahs are also seen regularly, while the Ridge and Bila Shaka prides are in their respective territories.

Paul Kirui, Lead Safari Guide, Heritage Hotels

News from the Maasai Mara, August 7th 2007

The concentration of wildebeest in the past couple of weeks has increased remarkably, with large herds of zebra and wildebeest seen along the north of Sand River. This head of the 2007 migration has pushed further west to Roan Hill, where they have been joined by another herd of about two thousand wildebeest that crossed from the Serengeti around Naima Lumbwa Hills.

The traditional burning of the grass in northern Serengeti - normally done to slow the flow of the herds northwards in to the Mara ecosystem - was done earlier this year, and the rains have enabled new sprouts to shoot in these areas. It was, however, not as extensive, and therefore did little to slow the migration.

There have been crossings near Look-out Hill in the past few days, with herds moving onto the Mara conservancy. However, the numbers are lower compared to the same period last year. The Loita herds - predominantly zebras - have been crossing over to the Mara triangle in the last few days, increasing in numbers around Musiara gate, Double-Cross and Topi plains east of Rhino ridge.

Other sightings
The guides at Heritage's Mara Intrepids and Explorer confirm two large prides of lions now strategically positioned between Sand River and Keekorok Lodge. The pounding hooves of the herds, signaling the season of plenty, is an assurance that they can still live for another five months without going hungry.

The Ridge Pride has established itself around Double Cross area and south east of Rhino Ridge. The cubs, which survived the lean period, are now looking healthy. The guests at the Heritage camps have been treated to a few kills and attempted kills in the past week, most happening during the day when they were out on game drives.

The leopards too are not to be left out, with our main star, Bella, positioning herself strategically on the migratory route along the Talek River. Our guests have been treated to her regular kills, with the crocodiles in the rivers taking advantage of the easy opportunity to grab a few wildebeest as they cross the river.

The cheetah with four cubs has returned to the reserve after several months outside on Olare Orok conservancy. In what is an interesting twist of nature, she is now near Mara Explorer, in the area where her cubs were born one year ago - in what almost seems like a pilgrimage! She has been spotted making kills on a recently burnt area where there is a concentration of gazelles.

The game drives are now livelier, with this being just a tip of the ice-berg as the full migration is yet to get under way!

Paul Kirui, Lead Safari Guide, Heritage Hotels

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Migration Update, Maasai Mara, July 20th 2007

The Migration is On!

The guides at Heritage Hotels' Intrepids and Explorer camps are today confirming that the first of the Serengeti wildebeest are entering the Maasai Mara - and the world's greatest wildlife migration is officially underway! The first herds can be seen along the sand river that winds north from the Tanzanian border. All indications suggest that this is the head of the 2007 migration into the Mara.

Four weeks ago, several herds of zebra passed through this area heading west. These were the Loita herds, which normally pass by here en route to the northern Serengeti or the Mara Triangle. These herds are often confused with the main Serengeti herds - raising premature hopes of an early migration…

The herds now entering the Mara are the onset of the real migration. Most people in the Mara were expecting a late arrival this year due to the amount of grass in the way of the migrating herds. Reports from the Serengeti also confirm extensive burning of grass on the central plains, which, due to the recent rains, has provided plenty of the short lush shoots that the wildebeest find irresistible. This was predicted to delay the herds, but - as Nature has shown so often in the past - the instinct of the animals to move is stronger than any meal or obstacle in their way!

That said, the onset of the migration this year is likely to be slowed by the sheer quantity of grass on the central Mara plains, which is likely to slow down the northward progress of the main herds.

OTHER SIGHTINGS

Since our last Big Cat Update, we have seen a lot more activity on the lion scene than in earlier months. Most lion prides are now coming together, sensing that a new 'season of plenty' is just around the corner. Guests at the Intrepids and Explorer camps have been blessed with daily lion sightings over the past two weeks.
Cheetah sightings have likewise improved over the past fortnight, with near-daily sightings by our guides and guests. Leopard sightings have also been fantastic, and will definitely improve with the arrival of the main wildebeest herds.

Please log onto our website for weekly updates on the progress of the migration (and local Big Cat action) over the next three months.
Paul Kirui, Lead Safari Guide, Heritage Hotels
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Big Cat Update, Masai Mara, Kenya July 3rd 2007

The Mara plains were pounded by rain in the first half of June, making game-viewing quite difficult - and putting several places temporarily off the human map! However, the weather is now clear again, and things are slowly getting back to normal. We've had several large herds of zebra here in recent weeks, moving in from the east and southeast of the reserve - usually a sure sign that the migration is about to begin. However, the herds moved swiftly across the Mara plains and most crossed the river west into the Mara Conservancy, from where they proceeded into the northern Serengeti. Despite the 'false alarm', reports from the Serengeti indicate that the main migration is now between the central plains and heading into the western corridor. It may be another three weeks before they arrive in the Mara, particularly with the thick grass that lies in their way. We will let you know as usual as soon as we confirm their arrival.

Lions
Lions were seen throughout June, with many prides now pulling back together. Although there is still little to hunt, these agile cats always adapt easily by changing their hunting tactics or going for unusual prey. Last week, the Olkeju Rongai pride killed a giraffe and another pride brought down a second giraffe east of the Topi plains. The Ridge pride is still in the Olare Orok Conservancy, occasionally moving into the northern part of the reserve in the Double Crossing area. The Olkiombo pride is still roaming the area north of the Talek River, where our guests have been viewing them almost every day.

Leopards
Leopard sightings have been really good - particularly sightings of a new female with two cubs around the rocky outcrops near the Mara River crossing point. Our guides have named her Rocky because of her preference for this rocky terrain. Hopefully, her two cubs will make it into adulthood to provide us with plenty more viewing in the future. Luckily for her, the Paradise pride of lions have crossed the river into the Mara Triangle, and may not come back too soon as the water in the river remains high. (One big male and a female with one cub can be seen in the Olkeju Rongai area.) Bella continues to entertain guests on an almost daily basis in the area between Mara Intrepids and Rekero, which she appears to have made her new home due to the high concentration of gazelles and topi.

Cheetahs
Cheetah sightings remain relatively good, with regular sightings of three young brothers that have settled just south of Mara Intrepids. The female with four cubs is still in the Olare Orok Conservancy. It is great to see her with four of her six original cubs, as most new mothers would generally lose a higher number than this.

Happy 'big gaming' from all of us here at Mara Intrepids, Explorer and Siana Springs!

Big Cat Update, Masai Mara, Kenya June 4th 2007

Although the long, rain-swollen grass across the Mara made it difficult to spot game during much of May, our guests have been enjoying more regular sightings of all the Big Cats in recent days. The fairly consistent rain has also made access to several parts of the reserve a big challenge, although all of the main roads and tracks remain usable. Some of the marshier areas, however, are very difficult to negotiate, particularly following the heavy rains of the past week. Heritage will continue to update you regularly on the changing weather conditions across the Mara ecosystem.

Lions
Lion sightings were not good at the beginning of May, but improved significantly towards the end of the month. Most of our lions had split up and were highly mobile, due to the widespread lack of food. However, conditions have improved and the main lion prides have now regrouped. Several zebras have started to move into the reserve from the Loita Plains in recent days - normally a sure sign of the imminent onset of the migration.

The Ridge Pride had relocated to the new Olare Orok Conservancy but is now slowly moving back into its original territory. The Olkiombo Pride had also extended its territory to overlap with that of the Ridge Pride in the north. It was good to see them all in good health a few days ago. Normally, the Mara's lions are close to starving at this time of year, due to a shortage of food following the departure of the larger herbivores.

A group of Intrepids guests witnessed some fierce fighting between the two males of the Shonko Pride and the three males of the Paradise Pride. Despite being outnumbered, the two dominant males would not let the intruders move onto their turf, and - with the help of their females - managed to see them off.

Leopards
Bella, our star leopard, has been seen almost daily over the past two weeks in her new territory between Mara Intrepids and Rekero Camp. Although she appeared to be very thin in early May, the new concentration of plains game in the area has clearly helped to restore her health, and we are now hearing her regularly during the night. Guests also reported seeing Pili with a kill up a tree, while our guides discovered a third female with a seven-month-old cub near the Hippo Pool on the Mara River. Meanwhile, guests at Siana Springs continued to enjoy regular sightings of the Kissinger female and her grown cub, which have moved to the north side of the Sekenani-Talek Road.

Cheetahs
Cheetah sightings were not good at the beginning of May, but also improved markedly towards the end of the month. As well as regular sightings of three male cheetahs in the Maji ya Fisi area, our guests have been treated to several encounters with a female to the northeast of the Intrepids and Explorer camps.

Happy Big Cat hunting from all at Heritage Hotels!05-06-07%20Issue%20Map%203.jpg

Big Cat Update, Masai Mara, Kenya April 23rd 2007

The long rains earlier in the year have converted the Maasai Mara into a sea of grass. Although the length of the grass on the plains can make game-spotting quite a challenge, the extent of wet, marshy areas has forced many animals to move to particular areas of higher ground. Needless to say, our guides' deep local knowledge usually ensures that guests will find most of the animals they have come so far to see!

Lions
Despite the long grass and absence of prey, lion sightings have been very good over the past two weeks. The lions from the Ridge pride have now split up into small groups, with the larger group now on the northern edge of the park bordering the Olare Orok Conservancy. The Olkiombo pride has also split, with two groups roaming on either side of the Talek River east of Mara Explorer. The tendency of prides to split up is a survival technique caused by an absence of larger prey sufficient to feed the whole pride. Our guests at Siana Springs have also been enjoying sightings of a pride at Maji ya Fisi, which have given us some delightful encounters with their eight small cubs.

Leopards
The long grass has forced most of our leopards to take to the taller trees to scan the plains for prey - giving us plentiful opportunities to see them. Bella, our most famous leopard, has lately moved to the area between Rekero and Mara Intrepids on the south side of the Talek River, where there is a lot of game grazing on the relatively short grass. Bella's son, Chui, has not been seen too often, although he has been briefly viewed to the west of Intrepids, downstream from where his mother has settled. Our other female leopard, Pili, has also been seen roaming her territory to the east of Mara Explorer on the north side of the river.

Cheetahs
Cheetah sightings have been intermittent over the past few weeks. Our only regular sightings have been of a female with sub-adult cubs at Maji ya Fisi, which appears to have separated from her cubs about a week ago - leaving the cubs in the same area. We will keep monitoring this family for you over the coming months.

From all at Intrepids and Explorer, happy game-watching!

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Big Cat Update, Masai Mara, Kenya, Tuesday 2nd January 2007

Firstly - and most importantly - a happy new year to you all! Despite the torrential rains that have made much of the Mara impassable during the last three weeks, the three Heritage camps - Mara Intrepids, Mara Explorer and Siana Springs - have all managed to escape relatively unscathed. The swollen waters of the Talek River stopped short of reaching the Intrepids bridge and Explorer's dining deck, and all of our occupied tents remain dry! Needless to say, the sunshine that arrived on Sunday has been a very welcome sight - and promises to let us extend our game-driving territory over the coming days.

Lions
Despite the rains, lion sightings have been very good and several of our guests have enjoyed close-up hunts. The Ridge Pride kept our guests enthralled throughout December, hunting animals that had been stranded between the Talek and Olare Orok rivers by the floods. The Olkiombo Pride stayed further east to avoid confrontations with their main Ridge rivals. The Shonko Pride also continued to give us exciting sightings with their three tiny cubs. Our guests at Siana meanwhile enjoyed the sight of a new pride with eight small cubs at Maji ya Fisi. Full of life, the cubs play continuously and can keep you entertained forever.

Leopards
Bella, our superstar leopard, has been prowling the southern banks of the Talek over the past week, dodging the Olkiombo lions that share her territory. An encounter with these lions a couple of months ago left her with an injured tail. For the past two weeks, we have enjoyed several sightings of her at the Mtamaiyo Lugga, often with kills. Bella's son, Chui, has not been seen regularly over the past two weeks, although Pili, our normally shy female, has been seen several times just east of Mara Explorer - usually feasting on a recent kill in a tree.

Cheetahs
Cheetah sightings have been intermittent this season. One female was seen for about a week near our camps, while a male came through the area but after crossing north over the Olare Orok River was prevented from returning by the floods. The three males we usually see south of the Talek are still around, but the floods have prevented us from reaching their territory in recent days.

Watch this space for more breaking news from the world’s favourite felines!

"Lately there has been no better place to film leopards in the Mara than the area around Mara Intrepids and Explorer. Since we first filmed Bella here in 2003, 90% of our filming of leopards for Big Cat Week has been done within 5km of the same location"
- Nigel Pope, Producer, Big Cat02-01-07%20%20Map%201.jpg