atravelynn

Dana,

Here is the link, really.
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34986090

Pula

While I prefer new moon nights, I recently had a nifty bright moon experience. We were stopped at a waterhole and despite the bright light of an absolutely full moon, we couldn't see what it was that was moving on the far side -- until we noticed the shadow of an elephant, perfectly reflected on the surface of the water. FWIW!

Mohammed

Hi

Although I have said that leopard sightings are generally better on the dark phase, one must remember that leopards are probably one of the most elusive animals to see. Even with the high concentration in Yala one needs a bit of luck to see a leopard. In the last few years, stringent controls and regulations have helped and sightings have really improved. Most visitors on a three night visit do get lucky. Remember that Yala only allows safaris from sunrise to sunset and no night safaris are possible.

The full moon nights are very beautiful in there own right. The ethereal play of light and shadows, the silver lined scrub forest trees, the unique sounds and smells create a magical atmosphere that leaves an indelible mark in ones memory. I always yearn to go back to these places I have loved since boyhood. Any nature lover will relate to me. It is more potent than any high blood pressure pill! Have you ever experienced a "red moon rising"? This amazing phenomenon can be seen sometimes on the eastern coastline around the full moon dates.

The jungle at night is fabulous. In Yala we have the government operated Wild Life Department Park bungalows which are rustic, basic outfits. Sleeping is in a common airy verandah with 10 beds with mosquito nets and there are generally two small rooms which guests mostly use as changing rooms, with clean attached bathrooms. The bungalows have excellent local cooks/caretakers who do a great selection of Sri Lankan, and Western food. One has to take all food/supplies and they cook it for you and serve you in style for a small tip. There is no electricity, however they do have solar hot water and solar charged batteries that provide a few small light bulbs. We generally never use the lights, much prefer lanterns, and citronella candles. Evening drinks are usually under the stars. Often late at night I have been in a deep slumber to be woken to the sounds of alarm calling deer and sambhur and langurs disturbed by the “Prince of Darkness” on his nightly stroll. Sometimes one could hear the crackling and snapping of branches indicating a nearby herd of passing elephants. In Uda Walawe park there is a bungalow just beside the tank (large man made lake) and one can often see large herds of elephants coming for a drink and muddy wallow. Hari, I think the Indian jungles offer similar experiences.

Sorry I digress!

Dana_M

Thanks Lynn for the link.

You ask in a question to PredatorBiologist whether it is too much to hope we can micromanage a vacation to the timing of the rut. Do you think it is possible? I have 06, 07, 08 and 09 full moon schedules both for May/June and for February/March outlined side by side, going forward 8 to 8 1/2 months from May/June to February/March, and I am not sure I can figure it out. I might have to add in rainfall statistics. Then maybe I'll be able to make sense of it. This year birthing was in March, a full month after the February full moon. But the June full moon last year was 6/11, so going forward 8 to 8 1/2 months, that logic doesn't work either although it is closer. But, after reading the post to the link you sent I now think my logic is flawed

So, if you want to see the baby wildebeest being born, when would go you go and why? Given the popularity of the best places, it is unlikely I could wait for rain or mating statistics and then plan to visit during calving season the following year. Also, for me, this will be an add-on to Uganda and Rwanda (unless I go in August), so the timing will not be the priortiy, but I am still very curious.

atravelynn

With the weather and rains becoming less predictable, such as the recent early rains in East Africa, I don't think I can spreadsheet my way to a birthing migration.

I would contact someone like Eben at Kiliwarriors or the Green Footprint people and see what they have to say. When Predator returns from his Feb trip, I think he'll also have more insight. Africa Dream Safaris has a wonderful migration website, so their comments might also be helpful. But in the end, I think it is mostly luck because you have to have arrangements in place months in advance that lock in your travel time and location.

Here is another strategy I thought about employing--stay a few days in Manyara and the Crater. I think the wildebeests there might be on a slightly different schedule so you increase your odds by increasing the locations where there are wildes.

It will be interesting to see what happens this season and how it relates to the moon.

Dana_M

Lynn,
Good advice, as usual. Thanks. I've been to the crater and don't really have any desire to return. Not sure why but personally (and this is where I'll probably get into trouble) I didn't really care for Ngorongoro Crater Lodge and think it had a negative impact on my whole impression of the crater. It was way too over the top for me. So, maybe another location, or Manyara. Or, two semi-permanent camps in the NCA/Southern Serengeti area. Or, maybe I'll join the fodorite group in August in Rwanda instead and go to the northern Serengeti or the Mara after that. I should be spending time figuring out Costa Rica, but I just cannot get my mind off of Africa.