News from Maasai Mara, Kenya July 10th 2008

The concentration of the herds has increased more rapidly than first expected. A survey by our guides along the border yesterday established that there are many animals crossing the Sand River into the Mara. Light showers that swept across the southern swathes of the Mara have drawn the herds across from the northern Serengeti. They had briefly settled on the recently burnt areas, but there has been insufficient rainfall to make the grass sprout.

Once in the Mara, the herds appear to take two distinct directions, northwards towards the Central and Burrungat plains, and westwards towards the Mara River. A few hundreds have gone as far as Look Out Hill, with a few of these crossing west of the Mara River to a recently burnt patch of grassland. The crossings here are not yet dramatic due to a hand full of animals crossing and the low water levels, but the crocodiles as still making a meal of it!

Meanwhile, the Loita herds (that make-up the northern migration) are now spreading south of Mara triangle where grass was recently burnt. They have been streaming in in small numbers over the past week from Paradise plains, crossing westwards into the Mara conservancy. These herds still have a higher ratio of zebras to wildebeest.

PREDATORS:

The rumbling hooves of the oncoming herds have not gone unheeded, with lions regrouping once again for the season of plenty. A few kills have been witnessed over the past couple of days along the Sand River’s north bank, where a large pride of lions has stationed itself to take advantage of the herds going through their territory. This pride - claimed to be the largest pride in the park in the recent past - once numbered 32 strong! The lean period had seen them separating into smaller groups, which later turned into sub-prides over the years.

To the north, the Ridge pride is still very active, with many attempted hunts being witnessed - some in broad daylight - in the past week. Our guides inform us that the old Bila shaka pride, whose territory is north of Rhino Ridge, is also regrouping. It seems the pounding hooves of the migrating herbivores has reawakened the lion prides from their slumber - and literary, brought life to the Mara!

Cheetahs were encountered more frequently in the last week than previously. Leopards are also starting to get active and their sightings have improved remarkably. Bella, our Big Cat Diary star seems to have settled just next to Mara Intrepids, where she’s spotted regularly in the past week.

Paul Kirui, Lead Safari Guide, Heritage Hotels
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