The great wildebeest migration this year
is a little late and this could be due to the heavy rains which have resulted
to overgrown grass both in the Maasai Mara and the neighbouring Serengeti in
Tanzania. The two great parks form one ecosystem.
Reports
indicate that the wildebeest and zebra are still far from crossing the border near
Sand River. We are hoping that in a week’s time, the first herds will arrive in
the Mara.
Meanwhile,
the resident herds are everywhere in the Mara. At Double Crossing the herds are
heading south towards the Talek River where we may witness some river crossings
in a few days. These herds usually head south to meet up with the big herds
coming from the Serengeti.
Down
by the Mara River there are a few zebras that have been crossing back and forth
at Paradise and at the Chinese Hill at Chemarta.
The
predators are seldom successful at hunting the zebras because the grass is
still very long.
Lions
The Ridge Pride
It’s
still at Topi Plains. Since the demise of Lipstick, the pride seems to be
disintegrating. Meantime, Blacky the dominant male is becoming frail by the day.
We have seen the Six Musketeers from the Marsh Pride patrolling Topi Plains which
was the territory of Lipstick and Blacky. This is a clear indication that the
Musketeers will soon be taking over that territory.
The Enkuyanai Pride
It’s
trying to hunt the resident zebra and wildebeest in the Double-Cross area and
patrolling around Kaboso and the Olare Orok Conservancy. With them are the two
dominant males, Oloolpapit and Olbarnoti who seem to be doing well with the
pride. The pride is advancing its territory into what used to be the Ridge Pride’s
territory.
The Rekero Break-away Pride
It
seems to be desperately looking for new territory. It has been seen by the Olkiombo airstrip and
moving east towards Chemarta. Long Face is trying to take over the pride but is
facing some resistance from the females.
The Olkiombo Pride
It
has pitched tent, so to speak, along the Talek River where the lions were last
seen feasting on a hippo, but in absence of the dominant males Kaka and Maridadi.
The pride has been patrolling the southern sides of the Talek River and crossing
into Possee Plains.
Cheetahs
The Five-male Coalition
It
is branded Tano Bora in Kiswahili
meaning the Great Five. The cheetahs are usually at Maji ya Fisi and Hammercop
area where they have been killing nearly every day. Their meals include wildebeest,
topi, impala, gazelle, hartebeest and other antelopes. They crossed the Talek River
and headed northeast to the edge of Olare Orok Conservancy and back into their
favourite area at Maji ya Fisi where there is a lot of plains game.
Leopards
Kaboso
She
and her cubs are doing well and have been along Olare Orok River and Kaboso River,
trying to avoid conflict with the Enkuyanai lions that have been patrolling the
same territory for some time. The older male cub and the two younger ones have
been hunting successfully.
Bahati
She
is also doing well along the Talek River and appears to be very pregnant. We
expect a litter by the middle of August. Young Bella 2 and Hatari are now
independent and hunting on their own. At times, they are seen with the mother.
Elephants
Herds
of elephants are with some calves. There is plenty of grass and water for them.
It is very common to see herds of up to forty elephants feeding in the same
spot, especially in the marshy areas.
Giraffes
Common
in the shrubby areas. In the heat of the
day they can be seen out in the plains chewing cud and at times, necking.
Buffalos
Common
sightings with calves. There are permanent herds by Lugga ya Njoroge and Topi Plains.
Written by
Koikai, senior driver-guide
