Prepping For The Migration

It’s getting hotter in the Mara hitting a high of 26^ºC but the mornings are chilly with temperatures as low as 15^ºC. The grass has changed from lush green to gold. It’s pure hay. The elephants and buffaloes are in the valleys and along the water courses where the vegetation is lush with plenty of fresh water available. 

Wildebeest Migration

The annual migration of the wildebeest from the Serengeti into the Mara is late. As we continue to focus our eyes down south hoping for good news and signs of the herds, the zebras are finally at the Sand River gate. They may have been attracted by the recent storm around the Posse Plain, west of the Mara. This could have also triggered the wildebeest to continue the great trek into the Mara.

The domestic herds of wildebeest and zebra from the Loita Plain are heading towards Olare Orok River and Intiakitiak River.

This is good news because it signals the arrival of the southern migration.

Resident Plain Game

Despite the tall grass in the reserve, there’s still good animal sightings around the Mara Intrepids Camp. Not far from the Camp’s suspended bridge over the river, there are large herds of topi and Thomson gazelle, warthog, Silver-backed jackals, elands, giraffes and buffaloes. We’re also seeing a lot of ostrich. The grass here is relatively shorter; therefore it’s become a favourite area for all the grazers. Plus there’s safety in numbers.

Predator Sightings

Lions

Great sightings.

The Rekero Pride (formerly called Ridge Pride) is dominating the Ridge, Olkiombo and Olkeju-Ronkai area. It’s a pride of 11 - four adult lionesses and 7 sub-adults cubs (one female and six males). It’s moving around with Notch and his bully boys. Notch and his boys are harassing other prides, especially around Olkiombo and Olkeju- Ronkai. The smaller prides of fewer than six members cannot withstand the pressure of this group. Many have been injured in fights with Notch’s gang.

When Notch’s gang kills a hippo in another pride’s territory, the Rekero Pride just walks in with no fear and chases away the owners of that territory. It has happened to the Olkiombo female who had a cub. She tried to get a piece of the hippo that had been killed by Notch’s gang in her territory. Instead she was badly injured by Notch’s bully boys neat the sundowner tree.    

Leopards

Olive and her five-month-old cub are by the Olare Orok and Smelly Crossing. Bahati is west of Mara Intrepids Camp. She’s a very interesting young female who is not even two years old but can bring down a full grown male impala – which happens to be her favorite prey. Like her mother, she always feed under cover.

    Olive with her cubs in March.

   

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 &  Dixon "DC" Chelule, Mara Explorer & Mara Intrepids Camp ©Heritage Hotels Ltd, Kenya.http://www.heritage-eastafrica.com/