Head Of The Serengeti Herds At Paradise Crossing

The weather is super with cool, clear mornings, becoming warmer in the afternoons with temperatures hitting 27ºC. The sunsets are stunning - molten golden in the horizon.

 THE GREAT MIGRATION OF WILDEBEEST AND ZEBRAS

The migration is moving up north very fast. Herds of wildebeest and zebra are heading towards Mara Intrepids Camp. They can be seen around Maji-ya-Fisi (Hyena pool) up to Ngama Hills by the border of Serengeti.

It’s a good time to wait at the rivers to see them make the river crossing.  There are many crossing points between the Talek River (even though the water level is quite low) to the Olkiombo Plain by Mara Intrepid.

The Mara weather is unique and changes quickly. A week ago we had rain. But the water holes are dry and therefore the herds are moving faster than expected in search of water to quench their thirst because the grass they feed on is more like hay.

The zebra herds are further west towards Paradise Crossing, ahead of the wildebeest. The zebra are near Topi Plain enjoying the grass before the wildebeest arrive. The Paradise Crossing is busy at the moment with zebras crossing to the west and into the Mara Triangle.

 

The water level in the Mara River is not high enough for crocodiles to hunt. Hence the crossing today was successful with no casualties. It’s not a very good time for the Nile crocodiles that have been waiting for months for this opportunity but they have to go hungry again.    

   

PREDATORS SIGHTINGS

Predators are having a good time for there is food all around them. The best time for action is late in the evening and early in the morning. The rest of the day, the cats rest in the bushes to avoid being seen by the prey and also it’s too hot for them to do anything.

 

LIONS

The prides are healthy and the cubs very playful.

The Olkeju-Ronkai pride of 11 is in the middle of Meta plain concealed by the tall grass, waiting for the wildebeest. It’s hard to see the lions.

The Olkiombo pride is divided in two groups, each living independently in the same territory. The bigger pride that’s Notch’s favourite has twelve cubs and four lionesses. Notch loves to be with cubs.

The second group of six has one cub and five lionesses.

The Ridge pride of 12 is still together with their sub-adult aged two and half years.

The Paradise pride of 11 has three black-manned lions. They operate both sides of the Mara River.

The Marsh pride is also divided into two. One group of nine has three lionesses; three cubs aged one year and three males. They are at Topi plain. Two of the lionesses are mating. The other group of twenty six is at Marsh. Scarface, the male lion is with them.

LEOPARDS

There are lots of leopard sighting all along Talek River between Fig tree and Mara Intrepids Camp following the wildebeest. A female with a cub was seen hunting a wildebeest calf. A male leopard was also seen with a wildebeest kill two kilometers near Mara Intrepids Camp.

In the west near Paradise plain at Shamarta, two young leopard males were seen separately. One had an impala kill and the other was with a buffalo kill.  They were at the marshy section near the albino hippo pool, both very calm and posing for photos.

Olive is a little confused because the wildebeest are between the crossings in her territory. She can’t make up her mind which one to hunt at.

    

CHEETAHS

The cheetahs have moved towards the clear plains where the wildebeest have cleared the grass. This has made it easier for them to hunt their preferred prey which is the Thomson and Grant gazelles.

Have you booked your safaris? We have a few slots for the wildebeest migration at Mara Intrepids, which you can combine with a safari from Samburu, and then some sun at Lamu's most amorous hideaway, Kipungani Explorer.
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Heritage Hotels (Kenya) manages two luxury camps in the Masai Mara - Mara Explorer and Mara Intrepids - in the confluence of the four game viewing areas of the Masai Mara. The camps are on the banks of the Talek River, with most tents spread along the banks.  Report by John Parmsau. Pictures by John Parmasau &  Ndeithi Kariuki  ©Heritage Hotels Ltd, Kenya. http://www.heritage-eastafrica.com/

Migration Heads To Olkiombo

It’s cloudy with rain late in the evening. We need the Masai blankets on the game drives to keep warm. The elephants and buffalos are relishing the lush grass.

 

The great migration begins

There’s a dark cloud of wildebeest south of Mara Intrepids Camp from Pose Plain to Lookout Hill signaling the start of the great migration. The wildebeest, the stars of the migration, are moving up north to reach the endless plains of Olkiombo and Topi. A section of the herd is crossing the Mara Triangle from Lookout Hill.

The Talek River is busy with the wildebeest crossing. The females and bulls call all night trying to locate each other. Moving in systematic single files they follow the leaders. The zebras are at Paradise Plain and we’re expecting to see them cross the river any day.

Our crocodiles are having a feast lying in wait for the wildebeest along the rivers.

PREDATORS SIGHTINGS

Lions

There’s no more running around looking for food, while the predators have meals on wheels. The lion prides are positioned at all the crossing points.

The Ridge Pride has gone back to its territory. The Olkiombo has regrouped again along the Talek River. After a long time, the Paradise Pride has shown up with two cubs aged three months.

Leopards

Olive with her cub is west of Olkiombo airstrip. She killed a wildebeest. Bahati has not been seen for three weeks. The Shamarta female is seen almost every day in the morning and evening.

Cheetahs

Malaika the female with her cub aged five months is between Intiakitiak and Olare Orok River. She made a successful kill – of a Thomson gazelle but was robbed of it by the two male brother cheetahs. 

Heritage Hotels (Kenya) manages two luxury camps in the Masai Mara - Mara Explorer and Mara Intrepids - in the confluence of the four game viewing areas of the Masai Mara. The camps are on the banks of the Talek River, with most tents spread along the banks.  Report by John Parmasau and pictures by Dickson Chelule (DC),  Mara Explorer & Mara Intrepids Camp ©Heritage Hotels Ltd, Kenya. http://www.heritage-eastafrica.com/

The Wildebeest Migration Is On!

It’s cloudy with cold showers late in the evening. The grass is moist and relished by the elephants and buffaloes. The Masai blankets are indispensable on the morning game drives. The impala males are rutting; the elephant females are in estrous and the hippos are mowing the grass along the Olare Orok River. It’s a very active season in the Mara.
  

WILDEBEEST MIGRATION

The long awaited migration of the wildebeest is on. The plains are rich with zebras, gazelles and many species of birds. There are endless lines of the wildebeest streaming to the Sand River to cross into the Mara game reserve from the bordering Serengeti in Tanzania. Without wasting time around the river, the wildebeest spread in the tall green red oat grass. According to the grazing succession, thousands of zebras lead the way.

They then branch into two groups. One goes up north and the other group moves west towards the Mara River, by the Lookout hill, which is 18 kilometers south of Mara Intrepids Camp.

We hope to see the first crossing at this point in two or three days. There are small groups at Posse and Olkiombo Plains but they look confused as to which way to proceed. The lions and hyenas are having a good time hunting them.

The Loita Plain migration is pressing in from the north towards the Olkiombo Plain.    

   

PREDATORS SIGHTINGS

Lions

The prides have started to group and position themselves at their favorite strategic points along the rivers where the migration crosses. They are very alert, hiding in the tall grass.

Notch’s boys have not been seen for almost a week. Notch is busy with the four lionesses from the Olkiombo Pride near Maji ya Fisi.

The Olkeju Ronkai pride has moved further south towards Lookout Hill. They could be waiting for the migration or pushed out by the Ridge Pride.

The Ridge Pride has moved to the south of Mara Intrepids Camp to await the wildebeest.

Leopards

After Olive killed the water buck in front of Mara Explorer Camp, she has gone to her hideout area. She will re-emerge when hungry again. She was last spotted by Smelly Crossing, west of the Olkiombo airstrip with her cub.

Another friendly leopard at Shamarta was seen once with an impala kill in a tree and another time looking very relaxed with a Thomson gazelle.

Cheetahs

Malaika (seen above with with her two cubs recently) is around Olkiombo Plain near Mara Intrepids Camp. Unfortunately she has lost one cub to the hyenas and remains with just one.

Heritage Hotels (Kenya) manages two luxury camps in the Masai Mara - Mara Explorer and Mara Intrepids - in the confluence of the four game viewing areas of the Masai Mara. The camps are on the banks of the Talek River, with most tents spread along the banks.  Report and pictures by John Parmasau,  Mara Explorer & Mara Intrepids Camp ©Heritage Hotels Ltd, Kenya. http://www.heritage-eastafrica.com/

Ladies and Gentlemen, The Wildebeest Migration Has Begun

After lots of will-they won't-they, we are happy to report the head of the migration has finally entered the Masai Mara! These pictures were taken today in the afternoon.

 The recon team checks out the area..

 Hmm - looks good, lots of food. I think we can settle here for the next few months..

Setting up camp...

 Everyone's finding a cosy spot...

The head hostess is primed.

Let the games begin!

Heritage Hotels (Kenya) manages two luxury camps in the Masai Mara - Mara Explorer and Mara Intrepids - in the confluence of the four game viewing areas of the Masai Mara. The camps are on the banks of the Talek River, with most tents spread along the banks.  Report and pictures by John Parmasau,  Mara Explorer & Mara Intrepids Camp ©Heritage Hotels Ltd, Kenya. http://www.heritage-eastafrica.com/

Cheetah Hunts Ostrich Chicks - Samburu

Samburu normally dry and arid is an oasis of lush green with the rains. The antelopes have started to migrate to the plains where there's an abundance of grasses to forage on.

Recently, we ventured into the neighbouring Buffalo Springs National Reserve for an early morning game drive and a picnic breakfast.

Enroute by the Gir Gir hills, we came upon a male cheetah. Previous to this, the last spotting of a cheetah in Samburu National Reserve was a fortnight ago. The male cheetah, looking very hungry spotted a Somali ostrich with her chicks - 24 in all.

The cheetah began to stalk them. We followed.  In a few minutes, the cheetah sprung into action and like lightning sprinted for the chicks. The chicks lay down and the cheetah missed them completely.

Not one to miss his meal, the cheetah returned and caught a chick. A few seconds later we saw him carrying the chick in its mouth but only to come face to face with the male ostrich. The ostrich kicked the cheetah and landed a powerful stomp on its back. But the cheetah sprinted to the thorn-filled commiphora tree with the chick still in its grasp. The ostrich unable to penetrate into the thorn bush went to its remaining clutch. On our way back from Buffalo Springs later in the day, we found the cheetah still devouring the chick in the same place we had left him.

Heritage Hotels (Kenya) manages one luxury camps in the Samburu Game Reserve - Samburu Intrepids - set on a shaded section of the Uaso Nyiro river. Each of the 30 luxury tents sits on a raised deck overlooking the brown river where the elephants sometimes make an appearance, or the crocodiles come out to lounge by the river’s banks.  Report and pictures by Stephen Tilas, Resident Naturalist, Samburu Intrepids Camp ©Heritage Hotels Ltd, Kenya.http://www.heritage-eastafrica.com/