Migration update- Late July 2016

The concentration of the migrating herds is at two major areas, The Mara triangle (where most of the herds are at the moment and east towards Keekorok lodge. Th eother areas of eh reserve and conservancies have patchy herds. The Serengeti herds in the past week kept streaming into the Mara triangle, with heavy crossings by lookout hill. These kept crossing the River by look out hill over the week. Most of the Mara plains are still teeming with a sea of over grown red oat grass. To most herbivores this is quite tough and rough for them and this explains why the herds have just been rushing through the reserve when there is plenty of grass.

The have a heavy crossing activity at the paradise crossing point over the week as herds cross over to the west of the Mara River. These have been moving across Paradise plain to the River and crossing over west. Many have been dying from predation by crocodiles and others from trampling in the stampede in the river. It is a week full of excitement for the Mara visitors some of whom had to stay the whole day to witness this natural phenomenon. Northern Serengeti is now quiet with few wildebeests, but still active with its cats.

Crossing point

Crossing point 

Exit stampede

The herds on the move

Great photo opportunity with nice sunsets/rise

The clean-up squad are always there to do their job

Lions get an easy meal during the migration

Many of the wildebeests fall prey to predators

For Many Mara lions, the migration is a time for procreation

Common sight in the Mara now, Wildebeests and other herbivores all over

Wildebeests Migration progress in Masai Mara

The movement of the migrating wildebeests in the Mara progressed fast over the past few days. It took the wildebeests only took 2 days from the central plains to get to the Mara river and are now across on the Mara triangle. There have been a lot of animals crossing over the last few days

The herds which had gathered south of the Talek on Burrungat plains have been crossing north of the river, and have proceeded all the way upto Double Crossing area and some of the herds are already heading to Topi plains. The crossings were quite slow but dramatic to see the wildebeests crossing the almost dry river in such a rush creating a cloud of dust in the process. The Olkiombo and Rekero prides of lions have suddenly waken up to a feast. They have been making kills almost daily at the river crossing on the Talek, when the animals come to cross.

The rest of the herds that proceeded towards the lower side of the Talek have been crossing near Rekero camp. I reckon these will head towards paradise crossing and then over to the triangle.

Down at Look out hill there were heavy crossings two days ago, which continued yesterday. Many animals are crossing over to the triangle. The crossings however have been somehow easy for the animals in many places as the water is lower. There have been a lot of crocodiles attach in the river.  There is still plenty of grass on the Mara plains. We expect a bit of rain this month and that will bring out even more grass.

BM

BM

Serengeti Migration Photographic safari (9 nights)

Safari profile;

(Dates: 11-19th February 2017 (9 nights)

Book yourself a safari to witness mass birth of hundreds of thousands wildebeest calf on the southern short grass plains of the Serengeti, when 80% (400,000) of the females gives birth within 2-3 weeks. Here the sight alone of thousands of wildebeests on the short grass plains, is breath taking, not to mention active predation on the newly born or just sitting and watch the just born calves learn to walk and run before you eyes!

This safari is dedicated to serious amateur and professional photographers. It involves long days on game drives, following and photographing calving wildebeests. At the end of each day, your host will take you through photographic tips as you critic each other work and learn on the go will take you. Inderjit Bilkhu, who is an accomplished photographer and guide who has led many such trips will lead this trip.

 Itinerary;

• Day 1: Pick up from JRO or Namanga drive to Ngorongoro crater for overnight. Lemala Ngorongoro Camp FB
• Day 2: Crater drive full day, Lemala Ngorongoro Camp FB
• Day 3: Drive to southern Serengeti with stop at Olduvai proceed and check in at your camp in Ndutu. Nasikia Mobile Migration Camp
• Day 4: Full day activities in Ndutu (NCAA), Nasikia Mobile Migration Camp FB
• Day 5: Full day activities in Ndutu (NCAA), Nasikia Mobile Migration Camp FB
• Day 6: Full day activities in Ndutu (NCAA) or Serengeti, Nasikia Mobile Migration Camp FB
• Day 7: Full day activities in Ndutu (NCAA) or Serengeti, Nasikia Mobile Migration Camp FB
• Day 8: Full day activities in Ndutu (NCAA) or Serengeti, Nasikia Mobile Migration Camp FB
• Day 9: Full day activities in Ndutu (NCAA), Nasikia Mobile Migration Camp FB
• Day 10: Early morning game drive then back to camp for breakfast. Transfer to airstrip for flight to Arusha and transfer to JRO (or direct flight to JRO)

Safari Costs:

• 6 guests (3 Twin rooms 2 vehicles for private use)US $4,990 per person (twin share) SRS: US$580
• FLIGHT – Ndutu/Arusha- US $270 per person [or Ndutu/direct to JRO, US$320pp]

Guide Profile

Inderjeet Kaur Bilkhu

KPSGA Gold Level. FGASA 1. Trails Guide and Professional Photographer.

I grew up with no other purpose in mind other than being as close as possible to wildlife, and working with it. I was born in the small town of Kitale in Western Kenya. Currently living in Nairobi, I’m the first Female professional safari guide with Gold accreditation from KPSGA (Kenya Professional safari Guides Association)

I now travel widely all over East and Southern Africa, and India now, hosting guests on safari, with each adventure I’ve observed the delicate balance of nature and its strengthened my passion for its continued and enhanced protection. I’ve worked for various safari companies and now lead my own trips under the Safari Escapes brand. With outstanding knowledge of African Flora and Fauna, I lead safaris – Guiding and sharing my expertise on photography as well as the bush, working closely with the group, shooting alongside, guiding and sharing my expertise on photography as well as the wilderness and animals.

I am still most at home behind a camera somewhere in the remote wilderness that is Africa. I work closely with Nikon in East Africa, running wildlife photography workshops for them. Whether you are looking to capture landscapes such as the beautiful plains of the Maasai Mara, the wildebeest crossings, Northern Kenya, Highland Gorillas, remarkable birds, I will help you realize your photographic dream of the African bush. An enthusiastic photographer with great people skills and a very hands-on approach to all aspects of life. Complemented with a good knowledge of the African bush and a keen interest in safari life, wildlife, birds, culture and geography…gives you the perfect guide.

A safari with Indi is not just about being in the bush and sleeping under canvas….it is all about having fun and enjoying some of Africa’s most spectacular experiences and taking away life time memories.

BOOK THIS SAFARI

Migration-2016 update from Masai Mara

Over the past week the migration in the Mara progression has been quite fast, with wildebeest covering quite some distance per day. The herds have already reached the central plains and still highly mobile. However, the herds have split up as usual with one herds heading due north and the other heading west from the central plains towards lookout hill. These are expected to cross the river in the coming few days or by next week, going by the pace by which they have been moving across the plains over the past few days since they arrived in the Mara. Looking across into northern Serengeti, one can see herds concentrated on the plains south of the Mara Bridge towards Naima Lumbwa hills. These are expected to join the main herds into the Mara one they have mowed down all the short grass in the area where they have settled.

What has been unusual about this years migration is that the main migration from the south arrived in the Mara early ahead of the Loita herds (This is the Kenyan resident herds of wildebeest) which usually migrate into the Mara from the east of the park. Normally when we start seeing them move into the park, it is a sign that the main migration from the south is on the way. The grass on the Mara plains is very tall and we thought this will slow the movement of the wildebeest as they will have to keep feeding as they move on, but they seem just to be on a mission to migrate than looking for greener pasture.

The Mara predators, which have been starving over the lean period that was the past few months, are now waking upto a season of plenty. The prides of lion in the areas where the wildebeest have been through have already gorged themselves.. A few lion pairs have been seen to be mating at this time. Normally the arrival of the wildebeests triggers mating among the lions as it is believed that the want to have their cubs when the wildebeests are still in the Mara. The wildebeests were also seen mating aggressively when they first arrived in the Mara, but the rutting is now slowing down. The stage is now set for hunting activities in the Mara, as the predators seize the opportunity.

I will keep you posted on the progress of this natural phenomenon.

Rutting among the wildebeests still seen though slowing down

"Earless" here seen mating last week not he central plains.