conditions at Ndutu (Serengeti)
 

I just got the quarterly Ndutu 'Newsletter', which is posted on-line at the link below ... December was the wettest month in the past 21 years at Ndutu, since they began recording rainfall totals, and this has filled up the two lakes and greened the short-grass plains.

For those who aren't familiar with Ndutu it's in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area right on the border with Serengeti National Park, basically where the woodlands end and the 'endless plains' begin. So anyone staying at the tented camps in this area might also find this report of interest.

I liked this quote, since we will be there in about 10 days ... "If the conditions seemed bad, the game viewing was about the best it ever gets. Over a million wild animals scattered over the plains is a breath taking sight." OK, I can live with a little rain :)

Also, here's a link to the Migration report from Nomad, reporting essentially the same conditions south of Naabi Hill to Ndutu (entrance to Serengeti NP).

http://www.ndutu.com/pages/whatshappening.html

http://www.atta.co.uk/nomad/index.html (Jan 5)

The latest 6 day weather report from Arusha predicts light rains (1 mm) most days, with one 4 mm day, which isn't bad. Ndutu is beneath the Ngorongoro 'rain shadow' and usually much drier than Arusha and Manyara.

Bill

Oh my gosh I am getting too excited!
Thanks Bill I had not looked at the web site for a few days.
J

Indeed!

The best I've seen in 5 years!

Carol and I was fortunate to be at Ndutu during this time. It was a sight we won't easily forget. I am hopefull that things will stay the same for our return in February to see the birth of the young!

Good information, Bill. I am getting excited, as well! Although I won't be spending 10 days down at Ndutu contiguously, I will have about 5 days down there between my 2 safaris. Boy did you get lucky, because I have had years when I have booked to be there for a long time and voila. Nothing. Nada. Dust bowl. No wildebeest. Feast for famine sometimes, because you are suddenly in an area that is a long drive to anything else worth watching.

Good times!

Xmas Day 2006 isn't one I am likely to forget. We had to evacuate a special camp site on the other side of the flooded Orangi and Seronera Rivers. Ndutu Safari Lodge offered us shelter if we could make it there, which we did after a wild ride, slipping ans sliding and turnng 360 degrees, in the dark and with wildebeest and hyena passing in front of us and all around us. All the water was inconvenient but wow, what a sight the migration is, if you can concentrate on it and not on digging out your vehicles. Enjoy! It was a fabulous time!

sounds great Bill!

hope to see/spot you there between the herds! ;)

Thank you very much for the update. It is nice to hear the rain will only enhance our experience. Perhaps by next week only the benefits will be left and not the wet :)

Thanks Bill
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Guests and film crews saw this behaviour on many occasions and I even saw it myself one evening. The last bit of greenery was around these swamps and the gazelles would graze there. The lions just ran at them from quite some distance, surrounding them on three sides leaving only the marsh as an escape root. The lions just ploughed into the mud to catch them. A grant gazelle doesn't go far between a group of lions and after a great deal of growling, fighting and pulling, the gazelle was gone within minutes.
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Animal behaviour is more sophisticated than we thought it is