migration update?
 

Will be in the Mara in early Aug.-how's it looking? from all I've heard it's good! {?]

Thomas:

looking pretty good. following are links to reports by Nomad (Mobile Camps) and Heritage Hotels (Mara Explorer):

http://www.atta.co.uk/nomad/index.html

http://www.atta.co.uk/heritage/index.html

We will be in the Mara August 11-15 at Little Governor's Camp.

Kevin from California

Ph I am sooo excited - we will be in the Mara in Just over 3 weeks - perfect timing!!!

I can't believe it! I've been to Africa many times but never for the migration. We will be at Mara Explorer camp Aug.2-6 then Keekorok lodge 7-9 Thomas from DC

Thomas,

Keekrok after Mara Explorer? I guess due to availability......

Still sounds awesome!!! HV a great trip.

Hari

I'll be in Lil Gov's camp end of August. I just can't wait. so excited by these posts I can't sleep!
Rhoda from SF

Hari,
It's all about location,location,location!
and what's available -thomas

I hoping to go to the Masai Mara around 20th July. Has anyone got any update/news on the migration currently in Northern Serengeti and Masai Mara and whether zebra and wildbeest herds have arrived in the Masai Mara?

The migration looked pretty good in the Northern Serengeti when I was there on June 23-24. I saw large herds of wildebeest and zebra headed north. The herds in the western corridor of the Serengeti looked larger. The wildebeest were still milling about, consuming grass, though they looked about ready to head north across the Grumeti.

Ditto to what lifelist said. Many, many (1.2 million?) were congregating in the western Serengeti June 25, 26, 27 or so. They looked like they were getting ready to go to Kenya. Some had duffel bags.

(Not true about the duffel bags.)

Tks lifelist and leely. My duffel bags are packed (just arguing with my daughter on who hand carries the camera bag)and off to Kenya tomorrow. Masai mara on 20th - hope it works out. Trip report will follow when I am back....

The migration was at Grumeti River Camp in the last few days of June when I flew in on my way back from Kleins. We had to do a low pass over the airstrip to clear it of wildebeeste.

I was flying back from Kleins where there were very large zebras herds heading to the Mara together with some wildbeeste herds but these were very small in comparison to those at Grumeti.

I was at Grumeti on 19th-21st June. On the 20th they were 15 kilometre to the east. when I left on the 22nd they were within 5 kilometre. Flying from Kleins via the Grumeti Reserve to Grumeti airstrip we passed over very large numbers of wildbeeste all heading north or north west.

Today I got an update from Heritage that starts: “Heritage Hotels’ guides can today officially confirm the beginning of the world’s greatest annual wildlife spectacle …”

I can’t copy and paste because it’s in the form of an image, but I hope it’ll soon be on the website.

Nyamara,

I read ur post on the other thread, with the special rates for Mara Explorer...where can i find them? I didnt find it on their website.

Thanks in advance
Hari

Our time is getting shorter -I can hardly stand it!. Much to do before we leave-we changed Keekorok to Mara Safari Club as it was now available to us-so from the Mara Explorer we go to Mara Safari Club, it seemed like a better fit. Has anyone gotten a current update on the Migration-we arrive in the Mara Aug. 2-look forward to seeing you all in the wild- THANKS

I was in Sayari Camp by the Mara river on the Kenyan border from the 25th-28th June, from the plane above we could see and films long snaking masses of wildebeest making their way. On the ground on a few had started crossing the really big numbers were still arriving. Have a great time and send regards from my wife to any Warthogs. She thinks they are so cute.

Regards chris

Iggy,
There’s a new update from Heritage today and it’s already on the ATTA website. http://www.atta.co.uk/heritage/index.html
It doesn’t have the map from the newsletter though.

I answered Hari’s question in another thread. The Mara Explorer special offer is in a newsletter and you can get more information from:
[email protected]

Nyamara,

Thanks......i did email them. They are fully booked. Many thanks for the info.

Hari

This is so very exciting!
12 more days before we take off-
15 days till the MARA

Monday, July 17, 2006
News from the Maasai Mara, Kenya Monday 17th July 2006

The concentration of wildebeest in the areas mentioned last week has increased quite dramatically over the past few days. Thousands of zebra and wildebeest have been massing around and to the north of the Sand River Gate this weekend. The first herds have pushed further west to Roan Hill and have been joined by another herd of about 2,000 wildebeest that crossed the Tanzanian border through the Naima Lumbwa Hills. This rapid build-up in numbers confirms our assertion that the world's greatest wildlife spectacle is now officially underway.

The burning of grass in the northern Serengeti has obviously hastened the pace of the wildebeest from the south, as they associate burning with new and lush shoots of grass. However, the burning may not be extensive this time as the grass is still lush from the late rains experienced across the Mara and northern Serengeti last month.


There about two large prides of lions now strategically positioned between Sand River and Keekorok Lodge, where they are eagerly awaiting a new season of plenty. The leopards are up and about for the same reason. Yesterday, one of our guides from Siana Springs saw a leopard and cub with a zebra foal up a tree near Sand River.

The resident wildebeest and zebra herds from the Loita Hills are also increasing in number in all of the areas mentioned last week – close to the Musiara Gate, near the 'Double Crossing' on the Mara River, and on the Topi Plains east of Rhino Ridge.
The Ridge Pride of lions has established itself around the Double Crossing area and southeast of Rhino Ridge. The cubs that have survived the lean period are now bouncing back to good health. Our guests have witnessed several kills in the past week, together with several vain attempts which livened up our game viewing! This is just the beginning of the action which is guarenteed to get hotter in the coming weeks

Wow... that sounds great.

August seems so far off. WE will be in Mara on the 20th of August. I hope we get to see some of the wildlife.

Its really so exciting and just can't wait till 12th August when we arrive Nairobi.

Does it really matter where you stay? Don't these drivers/guides take you where the action is?