Peshf

Have heard from some of my friends on the ground that there are already thousands of Serengeti Wildebeest in the Maasai Mara and in the Greater Mara Conservancies. Has anyone just returned - and can you provide an update?

sundowner

I've been reading that on Facebook and the postings and photos are from guides and camps in the Mara. I just checked airfare for a trip next week. I don't know if I can get away from work, though.

sandi

It's true, the herds are early this year. However, important to remember that about half the herds remain behind in the Northern Serengeti.
To think that last year some were complaining the herds were late getting into the Mara at mid-July, when in fact, this is the usual time. And on the other end, who knows when the herds will commence the trek south whether Sep or Oct or if as this past season they've moved back-n-forth for a few weeks.
You just never know from year-to-year when the herds decide to move.

Peshf

We have just returned from two weeks in the Mara Conservancies. We arrived on 2 April at Ol Kinyei staying at Porini Mara Camp (rated as No 1 in the Mara by Trip Advisor Reviewers).

It had just rained and the grass was greening up. Over the next few days there were simply thousands of wildebeest in the area. Since the development of the area in and around the Loita Plains many of these are resident in this conservancy and the Grater Mara Eco system. I was there last year at the same time and the game viewing was excellent but this time it surpassed all our expectations. We witnessed lion and cheetah hunts and kills from set up to finish and also saw a leopard on a kill within sight of the Porini Mara Camp. The great thing was that as only Porini vehicles can drive in this conservancy there was no over crowding.

We then moved to Porini Lion Camp in the Olare Motorogi conservancy saying at Porini Lion Camp. I usually do not bother going into the main Mara National Reserve as the game viewing in the Conservancies is so excellent but some other guests had seen some crossings and crocs taking zebras and wildebeest so we drove in for a picnic lunch by the Mara river and saw a large herd of zebra crossing - the crocs were everywhere but the zebra managed to get through safely.

The wildlife in the Conservancies is heaving - plains game in abundance and we had two leopard sightings while at Porini Lion Camp (Porini and her half sister Fig) and many many lion. 12 cubs in the pride that frequents the camp area. - I understand that this is the largest density of free roaming lions in Africa.

We went back to Porini Mara for the last few days of our trip and there were even more wildebeest in the Ol Kinyei conservancy. Gamewalking was amazing with herds thundering past. Narusha, the resident cheetah who is with her four cubs had just been collared the day we arrived back. (The first Cheetah to be collarred in the Mara She was a little groggy as she came around but we were pleased to see her make a long stalk and a surprisingly long run - bringing down a Tommy a couple of days later. We had seen these cubs with her last year when they were about six months old and she is a great mum to have successfully reared four of them.

We booked though Gamewatchers - they have some great special offers on their website (www.Porini.com) Their own camps are closed until 1 June but they have obtained some great deals at other places.

I expect that when the Serengeti migration moves in there will be even more game and more predators. Fortunately there will not be the usual mini bus circus as they only have one tent per 700 acres so vehicle numbers are restricted.

Can't wait to get back!

sandi

The wildies from the Loita Plains (north of the Reserve) may arrive early as noted above. Those from the Serengeti aren't yet in the Mara amd likely won't be for at earliest a month... usually they arrive mid-July.

SuperbSafari5

Masai Mara National Reserve stretches over 1510 sq km (938 sq mi) of open rolling grasslands and overlooked by the spectacular Esoit Oloololo (Siria) Escarpment, watered by the Mara River and dominated by an astonishing amount of wildlife. Lions are found in large prides everywhere, and it is not uncommon to see them hunting. Cheetahs and leopards are less visible, but still fairly common. Elephants, buffalos, zebras and hippos also exist in large numbers.

The Masai Mara National Reserve shares a border with TanzaniaÂ’s Serengeti National Park and is essentially a continuation of this park, forming the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. Apart from the seasonal wildebeest and zebra migration, game viewing in the Masai Mara National Reserve is excellent year round. Game includes elephant, black rhino, buffalo, plains zebra, hartebeest and big cats. The rivers are home to hippo and crocodiles. 452 species, 53 of which are raptors.

he Masai Mara is home to an excellent year-round concentration of game and is renowned for its annual visit by the two million wildebeest Zebra and antelopes that make up the Great Wildebeest Migration Migration which happens between the months of July and October.
THERE ARE NO WILDBEEST THIS MONTH BECAUSE IT IS RAINY SEASON

sandi

>>saw a large herd of zebra crossing - the crocs were everywhere but the zebra managed to get through safely. <<

I sure don't know a croc (or a human for that matter) that wants a kick from a zebra, do you? no wonder the mature zebras get away, but not so the 'lil ones. boo-hoo-hoo!

I too read earlier this week that the herds were moving rather quickly thru the Serengeti into the Masai Mara; why there's never any guarantee where they might be from year-to year.