The weather has changed. The rain started around the Mara. It’s the first rain of the year and the land is dry and thirsty. The parched soil will simply soak all the water first. Hopefully, the vegetation will turn green and lush soon.
The first rain
All the animals look happy. The birds are changing to breeding plumage and preparing their nests for incubation. Beautiful flowers will blossom with grass shortened by the grazers.
Temperature
19c morning
28c at midday
25c after sunset
LOITA WILDEBEEST AND ZEBRAS MIGRATION (DOMESTIC)
The Loita and Aitong wildebeest, zebras and gazelle are still with their young. This is amazing because cattle around the Mara have not fared well. The ranting of the wildebeest will start soon when the grass is tall enough to give wildebeest enough to eat.
OTHER INTRESTING SIGHTINGS AROUND MARA INTREPIDS CAMP
Shujaa (means hero in Kiswahili) the leopard has been stocking his tree at Paradise Crossing. The stock consists of five carcasses of three young wildebeest and two young topi.
Predators
Lions
Double Cross Pride
The M7 pride has established itself along Olare-Orok and Intiakitiak River. The pride of four lionesses and three cubs camp between Mara Explorer and Olare-Orok. Two lionesses with two sub-adult cubs are still wandering between the two rivers – Olare-Orok and Intiakitiak. Two lionesses with seven cubs are operating along Intiakitiak River with two of the M7. Food at the moment is not a problem but land is with territorial fights breaking out often.
Ridge Pride Blacky and Lipstick have finally claimed ownership of the territory between Olare-Orok and Shamarta and around Talek River. The four musketeers dominate Shamarta to Musiara marsh. The four musketeers have a strong coalition Blacky and Lipstick.
Paradise Pride The Musketeers patrol the Mara Triangle mating with prides across Mara River. They have formed a coalition with Notch. Like Notch’s sons, they either kill or chase away the dominate males in other prides before taking over them. The Musketeers have three different prides. There are two sub-prides from the Ridge pride, one of seven and one of eight. The Paradise sub pride numbers fifteen and the Marsh pride has more than twenty members.
Olkeju Ronkai Pride Four of Notch’s sons have joined the Ilkejuronkai pride, south of Mara Intrepids Camp and Mara Explorer.
Ol Kiombo Pride The Olkiombo pride is slowly being replaced by M7. Three of Notch’s offspring are with the Ridge pride. They are heading to Maji ya Fisi where the rest of the pride disappeared to.
Leopards Siri and Kijana are still at Shamarta in the rocky hills while Shujaa is at Paradise Crossing. Bahati is between Mara Intrepids Camp and Mara Explorer, while Saba is between Olare-Orok and Intiakitiak rivers.
Cheetahs Malaika has gone back to the place she gave birth on. It’s south of Mara Intrepids Camp at Survey Hill. Four cubs are still with her looking well fed and healthy.
Report and pictures by John Parmasau – Head Safari Guide, Mara Intrepids Camp and Mara Explorer Camp.
©Heritage Hotels Ltd, Kenya. http://www.heritage-eastafrica.com/
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