Another change in the migration

After a brief excitement with the coming back of the wildebeests for a second time this season in the Mara, it is all disappointment now with the herds having changed course over the last few days.

Doing a round the Mara fact finding mission today, I could see that most of the wildebeests were crossing the sand river over to northern Serengeti. The central plains which were teeming with wildebeests last week is now almost empty. The crossing on the Mara river by lookout hill and at paradise crossing point has gone quiet as well. In fact 3 days ago, the was heavy crossing on the Talek, with many wildebeests going north of the river, but the same have made a turn around and now heading south.

There is a sizeable herd though heading into Musiara marsh from the western edge of Rhino ridge. These changes have been caused by the unseasonal rains.

I will keep updating

Map showing current location

 wildebeests crossing the Talek a few days ago

The wildebeests have come back again!

Just three days after I posted on this blog about the exit of the wildebeest from Masai Mara, they made a complete turn around and in full swing came back a second time since July. Although from experience over the past years, I knew they will come back again considering that they left quite early. However, I could imagine it will be that quick.

They have come back, and now the plains around lookout hill, is teeming with thousands of wildebeest. We saw hundreds cross this afternoon over to the triangle and we expect heavy crossing over the next few days. there are also many headed north towards the Talek, where they will cross over heading to Topi plains and Musiara marsh.
So if you are headed this way soon, then it is a great opportunity.

The herds on the plain south west of look out hill overlooking Mara bridge.

The herds spread across the plains to  east.

Change in migration pattern

The migration continued in an unpredictable pattern over the past week. The concentration thinned out towards the end of last week with only a notable concentration witnessed on the central plain south of the Talek gate and on the triangle around the salt lick. Earlier in the week many animals crossed back east by lookout hill which is an indication they are headed for north Serengeti. But some headed to the central plains and these are the herds we are seeing now. Most of the wildebeest which were found by the salt lick started heading south.

The change in the rain pattern has really caused all the changes in the migration trend. The weather over the past month has been like what is normally expected in July, Low temperatures and overcast days. Although it may appear empty now, there is still plenty to see. The big cats are out and about, while the general plains game can also bee see.

The rain stopped three days ago and it appears we are set for the usual September weather of heat and dust.

Current situation

Big herds of wildebeests heading south