andBeyond

HerdTracker updates from andBeyond

andBeyond |

25 Jul 2015

Migration update from Grumeti

The large splinter herds that are gathered in the Western Corridor are still grazing at Nyasirori, just east of andBeyond Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp. With numerous water sources and new vegetation in abundance, the wildebeest don’t appear to be leaving the area any time soon. They will eventually migrate northeast to the Mara River to reunite with the rest of the mega herd, but for now, the grazing conditions are too good to resist.

The herds have been observed drinking at the Grumeti River’s edge, as well as the Kanyanja River (in front of andBeyond Grumeti) and the Majimbele swamp. The predators continue to take full advantage, as the circle of life continues in the vast Serengeti. This beautiful lioness was seen carefully moving her tiny cubs into the thicket … an incredible sighting.

Images courtesy of andBeyond rangers Moses Mhina and Nadhir Waziri.

andBeyond |

22 Jul 2015

River crossings at Lookout Hill

The first significant Mara River crossings happened close to andBeyond's Kichwa Tembo and Bateleur Camp. Rangers and guests all watched the incredible action with baited breath for a full hour.

The Kichwa team has been anticipating the arrival of the herds and even though they are fortunate enough to witness the incredible Great Migration every time it enters the Masai Mara, Assistant Head Ranger at Kichwa Tembo,Tim Kiok exclaimed, “The truth is, it felt as though it was my first time seeing the herds! I couldn’t believe they had finally arrived.”

The herds are slowly making their way north towards nyuma nane and the lookout hill is also teeming with wildebeest.

andBeyond |

22 Jul 2015

andBeyond’s Migration round-up from the Grumeti and Mara Rivers Tanzania and Kenyan sides

Morning Carel, updates from our camps and lodges

Western Corridor

Over in the Western Corridor, the roaming herbivores are happily grazing the plains just to the east of andBeyond Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp at Nyasirori. Large herds are being witnessed drinking from the Grumeti River, Kanyanja River and Majimbele Swamp. The Nyasirori plains are lush and green and there is a dam full of water, both of which are great indicators that the nomadic herds will likely stick around for a while.

Guests at andBeyond Grumeti have been having the most incredible sightings, not just of the wandering wildebeest, but also of the many predators that are taking full advantage of the abundance of prey.

Northern Serengeti

Further north, guests at andBeyond Klein’s Camp, as well as our two andBeyond Serengeti Under Canvas semi-permanent camps (currently positioned at Kogatende), are also watching the drama unfold as the nail-biting Mara River crossings commence. The largest herd braved the crossing on Sunday.

One lucky wildebeest is counting its blessings (and bruises). En route from Lobo Airstrip to andBeyond Klein’s Camp, ranger Seleu Kedoki discovered approximately 700 wildebeest crossing the Grumeti River. While the guests were taking photos, the massive splinter group cut back and scampered away from the river’s edge. A leopard chose to take the “shooting fish in a barrel” approach and caught an unsuspecting wildebeest.

There are still several thousand wildebeest stationed between the andBeyond Klein’s Camp private wildlife concession and Bologonja, which means there are many more exciting crossings to come in the next few weeks. As the crossings continue, our guests north of the border at andBeyond Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp and andBeyond Bateleur Camp are now seeing the enourmous herds on the horizon.

andBeyond

andBeyond |

13 Jul 2015

andBeyond update from Klein’s, Lobo and Grumeti areas

Morning Carel,

There has been yet another splitting of the herds, with mass gatherings of wildebeest still grazing in the north-eastern reaches of the Serengeti, while others have made their way to the Western Corridor.

There are approximately 10,000 wildebeest between Lobo and Bologonja, within very close range of andBeyond Serengeti Under Canvas and andBeyond Klein’s Camp. These herds are slowly heading north towards the Mara River, where they will soon brave the world-famous, nail-biting Mara crossings.

Over in the Western Corridor, the roaming herbivores have made it as far as the Masira and Kirawira Hills, mere metres away from andBeyond Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp.

Images courtesy of andBeyond Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp Ranger, Moses Mhina.

andBeyond |

07 Jul 2015

Western herds at Kirawira Hills, just south of the Grumeti River

Dear Carel,

Sorry for the delayed reply. We have quite a good group of migration not far from the camp. It’s about 6 to 7 kms away from the camp at Kirawira Hills (south-east of the camp).

The wildebeest photos you see were taken yesterday and some on 3rd July, but the wild dogs pictures were taken on the 22nd June by our ranger Moses Mhina. I will update you as they move in.

Thanks,
Mussa

andBeyond |

30 Jun 2015

Herds back at Lobo, Klein’s concession and Bologonja with movement towards the east

Hi Carel,

The inconceivably immense mega herd has officially made its way just south of the Serengeti/Mara border. Wildebeest and zebra in the hundreds of thousands are currently stationed around Bologonja and the Nyamalumbwa Hills, within close range of &Beyond Klein’s Camp and Kogatende, where andBeyond Serengeti Under Canvas is now positioned.

FANTASTIC news for our guests in Kenya, there are already some smaller splinter herds being reported by our rangers across the border in the Masai Mara. Our Kichwa team has observed large herds at a reasonable distance and they expect that guests will be able to witness the huge herds in the Mara within the next week or two

Wildebeest images courtesy of andBeyond Klein’s Camp Ranger Karipoi Ngaiseri.
Zebra images courtesy of andBeyond Kichwa Tembo Head Ranger Joseph Kima