August 2015 - Wildebeest migration updates

Hi Carel

Yesterday there were several small groups still moving from Lobo towards Kogatende. The main group seems to have crossed north into Kenya.

Thanks,
Jarrod

Hi Carel,

The herds went back up north of the Sand river last week towards the Kenyan side due to heavy burning and little to no rain for the past two to three weeks on the Tanzanian side of the Serengeti. Most have split into smaller herds and are erratically crossing to either side of the Sand River.

There have been a few movements, but everyone is hoping for a good shower to bring out the new fresh grass for the wildebeest to feed on. Most of the activity is between Kogatende and Lamai airstrip with more herds hanging around the border.
 

Hi Carel

Jambo! I was having a lovely day with the visitors at Lemala Mara, when we saw this at 12:23 at crossing point number four.

Thanks,
Miraji

Hi Carel

The migration seems to have moved west to the Mara Triangle Conservancy. Today, we witnessed big herds stretching from Maji ya Ndege, Mugoro area, all the way to Egyptian geese area near the Mara Triangle Conservancy and Serengeti Border.

There are Mara River crossings still happening at the Main Crossing and Look Out Hill area.

Regards,
Onesmus

Hi Carel,

This morning at 7:00 a.m there was a good crossing of many wildebeest at the main Serena crossing point. At 7:30 a.m on the west bank, a male leopard that resides at the main crossing caught and killed a yearling wildebeest and dragged it off downstream. This stalled the crossing for 20 minutes.

Later at 10:00 a.m, more wildebeest crossed from west to east at the cul de sac crossing up stream from the main crossing. They crossed at two places, with an estimate of 2,000 crossing.

There are many wildebeest and zebra on the Paradise Plains, Rhino Ridge, Topi Plains, Bila Shaka river bed environs, Musiara grasslands and the Musiara Marsh. There could be at least 500,000 animals in residence.

Thanks,
Patrick

Dear Carel,

I just been advised today at 16:40 Kenyan time via telephone by Mr John Smith, our Operations Director based at Mara Engai Wilderness Lodge that there are large herds of wildebeest directly below our position upon the Oloololo Escarpment.

The plains below Mara Engai are FULL of animals and the lions are having a field day. The photos attached were taken by one of our driver/guides John Sankei yesterday.

Guests can quite happy sit on their private terraces and watch in awe at the happenings below.

Best regards,
Amanda Lucas

Hi Carel

The herds are moving quite fast. They have now reached North of the Mara Reserve, from Topi Plains spreading all the way to Bila Shaka Governors Camp area.

There's a big congregation of migratory animals west of the Mara Reserve at Paradise Plains. We've had fabulous river crossings at the Talek Rekero Camp crossing point, Mara River main crossing point and the Look-out Hill Mara River crossing point.

Regards,
Onesmus

Hi Carel 

We spent two days without a crossing but today, after a 6:30 a.m start, we managed to see a good crossing at number four. A big herd started to cross at 8:14 a.m. What made it even sweeter was that it was my guests last day!

Cheers

Hi Carel,

Since the crossing yesterday morning there have been large numbers of the Serengeti wildebeest congregating on the Bila Shaka and northern Rhino Ridge plains. The grass is quite long here hence many of the wildebeest in tight groups.

Topi Plains has many wildebeest as well in larger scattered herds as the grass is shorter.

Yesterday afternoon and early evening there was a huge build up on the main crossing from the Serena aside, I am sure it will be a Gnu good day for us!!

Thanks,
Patrick
 

Hi Carel,

At the Serena side of the main crossing point, there was a huge build-up early this morning, many of the wildebeest crossed at 10:00 a.m until 11:15 a.m.

An estimated 2,000 - 3000 crossed, some crossing downstream of the main crossing point, there are still many more which will either cross this afternoon or tomorrow. 

This morning at 9:30 a.m, the wildebeest that were crossing from the west were tentatively stalled when a male Leopard caught a young wildebeest and quickly dragged it up a tree. This male leopard has a wound on his left rear tibia although he seems to cross back and forth at the main crossing point.   

There are many scattered and loose herds of resident and Serengeti wildebeest and zebra are now congregating on Topi Plains, south Bila Shaka, East Musiara Plains, Rhino Ridge and the western grasslands of Rhino Ridge. 

We spotted good numbers of Topi scattered across Paradise Plains, Bila Shaka and Rhino Ridge, many females are heavily pregnant. Some warthog sows have given birth to young piglets, this is the time of year for warthog.

Thanks,
Patrick
 

Hi Carel,

Big crossings have been happening at Talek River. Rekero Camp has witnessed crossings for the last four days.

We've also seen Mara River crossings at the Look-out Hill area and the Serena main crossing point is starting to get busy with the gnu's crossing over to the Mara Triangle Conservancy.

Meanwhile, the Serengeti migrating herds have joined the Loita/Resident herds at Topi Plains covering the short grass savannah plains.

Thanks,
Onesmus

Hi Carel,

We had a lovely crossing at no 4 which the clients enjoyed. The crocodiles are well fed and so little activity from their side. The lions are still very much around and enjoying good meals.

Kind regards,
Greg,
Lemala Mara Manager
 

Hi Carel

There was a huge Talek River crossing this morning from around 8:00 a.m until 1:00 p.m right by Rekero Camp. A few zebras and gnu's also crossed at the main crossing point / Serena crossing.

Two days ago we had good rain which ignited the herds movement, they are now heading west of the Mara Reserve into the Mara Triangle Conservancy.

Regards
Onesmus
 

Hi Carel,

There was a good crossing on the Mara River starting at 3:00 p.m at the main rocky crossing which is on Paradise Plains in the Mara Reserve. They crossed from west to east upstream of Serena Hill.

Zebra were also crossing though from east to west coming from Paradise Plains. The wildebeest crossed for nearly 30 minutes, it's estimated that 2000 animals crossed this afternoon.

One Zebra was eaten and two wildebeest were eaten.

Photos courtesy of Nikesh.

Thanks,
Patrick
 

Hi Carel

The busy season is upon us. I've been all around the Serengeti with very limited network. Parts of the migration are 5 to 10 nm south of Kogatende airstrip.

There are smaller herds crossing back and forth along the Sand River. And I've herd there are still a few up in Mara.

Thanks and Regards,
Captain Joel J Fernandes
Coastal Aviation, 
Arusha
 

Hi Carel

The migration has changed direction. Last week, they came from south (Sand River) and headed east (Keekorok) but as from yesterday, they turned around and moved north west.

The big herd is now at Rekero Camp and we had a busy day as they crossed Talek River only 100 yards west of Rekero Camp. Rains have started again so that might spice things up in terms of the gnu's movement.

Regards
Onesmus
 

Hi Carel,

Another good evening yesterday at the main crossing in that there was a potentially good crossing of zebra at 5:00 p.m going from east to west, but it was stalled due to a crocodile attack on a mare and her foal.

She fought the crocodile off although suffered a broken leg. She crawled to the east bank into some rocks, A leopard who was in the croton thickets seized the opportunity and killed the zebra mare and started to eat. A few minutes later, three crocodile tried to size the zebra carcass from the leopard. 

A good evening of photography and action. The movement of zebra at the moment are suffering heavy mortality rates due to the amount of crocodiles.

Photos courtesy of Jo Plisnier.

Thanks,
Patrick
 

Hi Carel

The Loita / residents herds doing what they do best at Topi Plains, feeding with the famous Out Of Africa Hill as the background.

Regards
Onesmus
 

Wildlife fillmaker Luigi Stella captured these wonderful images of a bloodied leopard who hunted down a Thomson's gazelle at Lake Magadi during our second HerdTracker Migration Safari in the central Serengeti. 

Hi Carel

More zebra crossed this morning at 08:20 a.m going from east to west at the main crossing point at Paradise Plains.

There was an estimated 1500 zebra again that crossed with one being eaten by crocodile and two injured while they crossed.

Photo courtesy of Tobias Klein.

Thanks,
Patrick
 

Hi Carel,

I have some news in that there was a huge crossing of mainly resident zebra last night at 6:00pm and estimated 2,000 animals went from East to West at the main crossing point on paradise plains, five animals severely injured and one killed and eaten by lines of waiting crocodiles.

Two large herds like of a buffalo horn although spanned apart by 5 kms and slowly moving north from Hammerkop and Ol Keju Ronkai, there must have been excess of 100,000 slowly moving in long columns, other areas south of the Talek in scattered herds of wildebeest along with dense herds of Common zebra.

In the Musiara and Masai Conservation areas there are large herds of wildebeest scattered from Topi plains and as far as the Mara North conservancy, columns of Zebra area again filing down form Bila Shaka and Rhino Ridge towards the paradise areas, there could easily be another crossing from East-West late this afternoon.

Thanks,
Patrick
 

Hi Carel,

Yesterday morning there were large numbers and long files of wildebeest and some zebra moving down from the conservancies in the north east of the reserve, much of the grassland plains are getting short and dry.

Some of the wildebeest herds are in large numbers and could easily be mixed in with the resident population and those that crossed the Sand River earlier in July and moved north east via the Talek. Scattered herds of wildebeest within the Rongai, Maji Ya Fisi and Hammerkop areas and Burrangat Plains within the Trans Mara. 

Common Zebra, and now as I send this email, many of the wildebeest that came down last night are now also in large numbers spread out across most plains of the Musiara and Bila Shaka areas. Grass levels in most areas are slowly drying out.

Thanks,
Patrick
 

Morning Carel,

We are witnessing what we believe is half the population of the entire migration, which translates to over one million wildebeest and zebras down here in the Masai Mara..they are still grazing around South East of the Reserve around the Keekorok and Sand River area'

Keep well,
Ones Irungu

I managed to get the opportunity to take this shot of the wildebeest migration crossing the Mara River close to crossing point four! This is why you should come see the migration here in the Serengeti!

Carel

The day before yesterday the herds were crossing at number 7 from Lamai to Kogatende, north to south in large numbers. Now they are moving up to the Wogakuria kopjes to the new grass on the burns and some are headed back through our camp towards crossing number 4.

Carel

Hi Candice and Carel, 

News from within the Mara: 

The big herds are still far in the south of the Mara. They are all around the Sand River area, Keekorok and up as far as the Rongai. Still nothing substantial this side of the Talek River. The main crossings are over the Sand River. Still no crossings at the main crossing points. 

We had a big rain storm up here in MNC three nights ago, and the last two nights have been more drizzle than rain. 

Kind Regards,
Roisin Perrett
Manager

Hi Carel

We have been hosting a relatively large herd of wildebeest joined by a few impala in and around the camp from last week. We suspect that the rains that came on the first week of August in Lemek pulled the resident wildebeest to our side. Majority of them can be seen in the Aitong plains.

Where the grass is still tall. They do not seem to be in any hurry to move away just yet. As a result, our guests this week have been having particularly productive game drives. We now await the main migration.

Kind Regards,
Oaitse

Hi Carel,

The Loita/Resident herds have done their lawn mowing job very well in the northern part of the Mara Reserve, between Topi Plains, Bila Shaka and Musiara area, new grass shoots coming out thanks to rains which has started to pour....

Regards
Ones
 

Hi Carel

Today, there are big herds along the Sand River. The entire area from Sala’s down to Elewana along the Sand River has big herds coming from the south which are joining the main herds alaready in the Mara around the Keekerok and Roan Hills areas. 

There have been big crossings on the Sand River heading north all morning and still lots of small scattered herds through the main Mara reserve. The plains in front of our mess are heaving once again!

Yesterday, the migration was very condensed in the Mara again and the big herds are along Keekerok and along the Sand River between Keekerok Lodge and Roan Hills. Lots and lots of gnus and really packed together in some places.

 They don’t really seem to be heading in any particular direction but have moved southwards in last few days.

Mark,
General Manager,
Sala's Camp

Hi Everyone

I can report daily rain in the central Serengeti. Seronera is looking very green! 

Carel

Wildlife filmmaker Luigi Stella captured this stunning footage of a cheetah chasing and hunting down a wildebeest during a HerdTracker Migration Safari in the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.

Hi Carel,

The huge herds of the migration are finally here, from what we are witnessing maybe half of the migration is here in Mara, from the Sand River to Keekorok and the Hammerkop area, thousands of gnu's have filled the savannah grassland plains.

The herds are moving from the south headed east, meanwhile in the western corridor, very few resident zebra are crossing Mara River from the Reserve to the Mara Triangle Conservancy.

Regards,
Onesmus

Wildlife filmmaker Luigi Stella took this stunning video footage of the wildebeest migration crossing the Mara River during a HerdTracker Migration Safari in the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. 

Dear Carel

Just a quick update on the zebras.... North of Sero to the Junction for Serena, large herds of Zebra, where the grass has been burnt and new grass coming through.

Kind Regards,
Alison

Hi Carel,

Even though it seems many of the wildebeest have started crossing the Mara River,  with our guests recently enjoying some amazing full day game drives up to go and see them,  there are still a few stragglers around Four Seasons, enjoying some green grass around, from the showers last week, the relative peace and quiet and the rather nice sunsets!

Oli 

Day five was quite an eventful day on our second HerdTracker Migration Safari. We spotted a leopard with her cubs and cheetah.

What a safari we've been on, seven crossings in four days and we spotted a cheetah kill.

Carel

The herds are heading north from the Wogakuria Hills after the rain in the Masai Mara. Long lines of zebra and nyumbu heading from the Nyamalumbwa Hills towards the north.

The zebra that were situated in Seronera are also moving north.

Carel

Lemala Camps is flying in cough medicine for a 8 year old guest. Earlier they also moved clients with no fuss and managed to get diesel to a stranded self-drive couple.

This is what it's all about!

Carel

Lots of rain in the Masai Mara. This is what the Mara needed, the herds surely on its way now with lines and lines heading north again

Meet our guide, Pascal Foster. He loves birds and is waiting for us every morning at 05:45 a.m sharp. Thanks Ranger Safaris for a wonderful guide!

After an exciting day following the herds in the Serengeti, its always a pleasure to relax in front of a warm campfire! 

Here's some video footage of probably the best Mara River crossing to date at crossing point number two, as the herds moved from north to south. 

Here's video footage of the two hour crossings we saw right in front of the Lemala Mara Camp at crossing point number three. Talk about being in the right place at the right time!

Hi Everyone

The Masai Mara received some much needed rain as you can see on the image below, it will certainly freshen things up a bit in the reserve.

A special thanks goes to the Lemala Mara Camp for their excellent hospitality! Thanks for looking after our guests so well!

Carel

Here's some footage of the big Mara River crossing we experienced at crossing point number 2 this morning, quite close to the Lemala Mara Camp.

Thanks,
Miraji Gwau

Hi Everyone

We spotted a double crossing just west of crossing point number 1.

The incredible crossing lasted for an hour. We watched the herds cross back towards the north, heading back to the Mara. Happy HT2 clients! 

Carel

Hi Carel

There's a big Mara River crossing happening at crossing point number 2 as we speak!

Thanks,
Miraji Gwau

This is Ol Doinyo Lengai - The Masai Holy Mountain we flew past as we headed into the Serengeti, an active volcano on the Great Rift Valley.

Carel

Watch us coming in for landing at the Kogatende Airstrip in the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.

Carel

Hi everyone

We've had more crossings from north to south at numbers 1 and 2 this morning. There was a one hour crossing at crossing point number 2.

Here's an image of Miraji Gwau, a guide at Lemala Mara!

Carel

Gearing up for day two of our HerdTracker MIgration Safari. Pascal of Ranger Safaris is ready and waiting!

We saw good crossings at points 1 to 3 today, with wildebeest on both sides of the Mara River and all the way to points 7 and 8. 

There have been significant crossings towards the south. I will have a look over the next few days which direction most of the movement is but for now many crossing from Lamai wedge back towards the south. This most probably is just for now and we expect them to turn back towards the Mara

We also had lots of rain again overnight. Here's a video of the heavy rain we had yesterday.

Pictures from last two days of migration at Sala's Camp. Images courtesy of Vivien Cumming.

Hi Carel,

We saw a big crossing at Sala’s on the Sand River yesterday morning and the plains around Sala’s south of the Sand River are full of wildebeest.

There are lots of small herds of between 1-10,000 between the Sand River Gate and Keekerok Lodge along the south of the reserve but the biggest concentration is around Kifuka ya Topi which is packed with probably around 200,000-300,000 wildebeest and zebra.

Cheers,
Mark

Plenty of wildebeest around massive herds around number 7 ,4,crossings happening almost twice daily sometimes more , a massive herd is heading our way from the south as getting reports from Jarrod and Harry when they fly in (TFC pilots), lots and lots of animals coming up from Lamai to Kuria Hills. We are looking forward to hosting you Carel, see you in the morning at Kogatende airstrip!

Keep well

Veronica
 

Morning Carel

Our drivers on our East Africa Migration Discoverer safari just reported some good rain on the Masai Mara side and a definite energy buildup just south of the Mara Triangle, our clients are having a wonderful time and will perhaps also see the herds on the Mara Triangle and Mara Reserve side.  Pictures attached!

Johan

Morning Carel

This morning herds of Wildebeest crossed the Sand River from Serengeti to Mara Reserve, we have been experiencing good rains for the past couple of days and we think this will act as a magnet to pull the herds which have been stuck in Northern Serengeti!

Regards,
Onesmus Irungu

Morning Carel

I have spoken yesterday and this morning to Tanzanian drivers on the Sand River. Many wildebeest are being seen near Roan Hill and south Meta plains which is the Keekorok area.

These wildebeest and some zebra are in quite large numbers and are filing back south west from where they came from. Lookout hill is relatively quiet with a few scattered herds only and likewise Mara bridge.

The other side of Sand River on the Serengeti side is also quiet.

Patrick - Governors Camp Collection

Dear Carel, 

A reliable guide Onsongo Douglas, just sent me this update:

This morning, herds of wildebeest crossed the Sand River from the Serengeti to the Mara Reserve. 

We have been experiencing good rains for the past couple of days and we think this will act as a magnet to pull the herds which have been stuck in Northern Serengeti

Regards,
Onesmus

Hi Carel,

There's a very big herd on the north side of the river about 8km north west of Kogatende airstrip. Maybe around 300 000 to 400 000.

Two small groups were moving towards Kogatende from the western corridor passing about 25km east of Sasakwa.

Cheers,
Jarrod

Lemala sent us these stunning images of the wildebeest migration crossing the Mara River at crossings points 4 and 5 yesterday, quite close to their Lemala Mara Camp.

A combination of unseasonal rain and lots of it and huge burnt areas has brought thousands of Zebra back to Seronera valley and Makoma plains.  Have a look at the 2 videos of us returning to Arusha from a wonderful HerdTracker safari and the Zebra herds just south of Seronera airstrip.  Good news is that there is probably a million wildebeest at Kogatende and north of the Mara River and south of the Kenyan border at Lamai wedge.  The August winds have started blowing and this should dry out the central Serengeti quickly!  The Masai Mara should be a wonderful place to be in the near future!

Carel, HerdTracker

We spotted these lions mating, just north of Makoma Hill. The male got a little angry and mock charged! Don't mess with lions when they are mating!

Morning Carel

Good to see you a few days ago, guests returned for lunch and are very happy, "a dream come true", they saw crossings at numbers 3 and 10 today!

See you tomorrow

Miraji Gwau Lemala Mara (will be a guide one day!)

Hi Carel

We have a couple of herds near the Grumeti airstrip and then few small herds in the Northern Serengeti. There has been sporadic ‎rainfall between the western and northern serengeti which may be bringing some confusion in the herds.

The photos attached were taken around the Grumeti area yesterday.

Thanks and Regards,
Captain Joel J Fernandes
Coastal Aviation, Arusha
 

Hi Carel

Crossings at number 3 to 10 are all happening. The herds are everywhere.

Gerard spotted a big herd at number 10. Pics to follow.

Alex

Hi Carel

We just set up the camp and our first group checked in day before yesterday.

The migration is all around the camp, and all the way down to Mara river. We've had crossings almost every day and my clients had an opportunity to see one, unfortunately I don’t have any pictures yet.

We've had some good rain, which makes things look so much better, as the park ranger burned the area last week.

Stay tuned for some photo.

Regards
David

Hi Carel

Yes, some major crossings, most prominent at number 8. But crossings at most crossing places several times a day, so best time to be here.

One ( No. 8)  with many thousands crossing over 1.5 hours saw about 60 Wildebeest drown and the carcasses floating down river.

The day before a male lion took out 4 Wildebeest at the crossing point, along with a croc on the opposite bank taking one animal..

Over the last few days we have had rain in the afternoon mostly in the Mara and extending to northern Serengeti. This has also led to muddy roads and vehicles getting stuck. Today looks clear but rain is forecast for tomorrow and early next week. Very unseasonal!!

Here are the rainfall statistics:

27 July 2015 - 24mm rain
28 July 2015 - 1mm rain
29 July 2015 - 0mm rain
30 July 2015 - 4mm rain

Thanks,
Roger Carloni
Asilia Sayari Camp