Journey of the Wildebeest & Zebra!

The great migration is in full steam. The first wave of wildebeest and zebra has crossed Sand River into Masai Mara. The recent rain in the central and northern parts of the park has triggered the herds to move faster. They seem to be over-excited with the amount of grass to feast on.  

The herds moved north from the Burungat Plains. Some crossed the Olkeju Rongai River into Possee Plains. But before they reached the Talek River, it rained on the western side of the park. This made them change direction, heading west towards the Mara Triangle.

This movement into the Mara Triangle resulted in the migration to start crossing the crocodile-infested Mara River. The river is quite high compared to last year making the crossings very dramatic with many drowning and hence providing the crocodiles with an easy feast.

There are other bigger herds migrating through the Roan Hills heading towards the Keekorok area. They are in their thousands and we hope that they will be in Possee Plains and Olmisigiyioi in a few days as the grass here is intact with plenty of water in Olkeju Rongai River.

At Topi Plains in the northwest of the park and in the northern side around Double-Crossing, there are some big herds of the Loita wildebeest. They are still streaming in from the conservancies like the Mara North and Olare Orok heading west towards the main crossing on the Paradise Plains. This might bring some major crossings along the river in the days to come.

Predators

The predators are having a great time with all the food on hooves in abundance. Some of the lion prides that had earlier disintegrated due to difficulties in hunting are back together.

The Rekero breakaway pride that had earlier split with part of the pride crossing over into Mara Triangle has crossed back. The pride hunted down two wildebeest recently.

The Enkuyanai pride

It is between the Olare Orok and Ntiakitiak rivers. The lions look very healthy. However the dominant males are not in good shape because some are injured from the territorial fights.  Oloolpapit has a really bad injury on his right hind leg. Olbarnoti, his coalition mate is not so badly off with a few minor injuries.

The Ridge Pride

It is back together. However since the demise of Lipstick, Blacky is losing his grip on the pride. Six males from the Marsh Pride seem to be taking over the territory and some have already started breeding with the Ridge Pride females.

The Musketeers

They seem to be expanding their territory. Some were seen at Maji ya Eland and Olkeju Rongai with kills. This area seems to be unoccupied by any male lions, so this might be an easy territory to establish.

Leopards

Bahati

Bahati has resurfaced.  The beautiful female has been trying to hunt in her territory along the Talek River. She seems to have a new set of cubs and appears to be nursing them as her udder seems to be big and full of milk. 

Kaboso

She and her cubs have been delighting our guests. They are seen nearly every day and at times even trying to hunt wildebeest as the migrating herds cross Kaboso River and Olare Orok River.

Cheetahs

The coalition of the five cheetahs that crossed the Talek River to spend a day at Chumvi Chumvi is back at Hammercop Tree which is their favorite spot for the moment.

Imani

She and her cub have finally crossed over from the Olare Orok Conservancy. They were there for some time. Imani was seen with a Grant’s gazelle kill at Double Crossing. Her cub has really grown big.

Nora

She is at Olkeju Rongai with a new set of cubs.  Reports from the cheetah research team shows that she has four cubs. She has been seen hunting far from her hidden cubs in search of prey.

Written By Koikai, senior naturalist and driver-guide at Mara Intrepids/Explorer Camps