January 2015 - Wildebeest migration updates

Hi Carel,

Wonderful sights all round, the calving season in full swing, this particular birth was with us on the Masai Mara side of the Serengeti/Mara ecosystem. More updates to follow.

Keep well,
Roisin

Hi there Carel,

Nomad guide Ian Kiwelu has been out for a full day today and has seen big herds heading towards Maswa. He says there’s no sign of rain and it’s pretty dusty around there at the moment.

More to come later,
Amanda

Good Morning Carel,

There has been no rain here for nearly three weeks now so most of the migration has moved off towards Maswa, Makao direction. Reports indicate that there are a lot of wildies still out on the Makao plains, with a lot of cheetah sightings and action out there, and also long lines heading into Maswa.

Here at Ndutu we still have pockets of wildebeest with their calves, in the woodlands but nothing of any significance.

All the best,
Ainslie

Hi Carel,

I have a report from our camp manager at Lemala Ndutu saying that there are big numbers around Ndutu area at the moment which the guests are enjoying. They are also witnessing a number of births and many calves are being seen. 

Here are a few photos which he has sent to me.

Best wishes, 
Tom
 

Hi Carel

Just to let you know there is a lot of birthing going on around our camp at The Alamana, the little ones are getting mobile. These photos just in. 

The bulk of the herds are towards Kusini and Maswa though. Hope you also got the photos from Gary, taken at our Kusini camp?

Regards,
Sean

Morning Carel,

Just a quick update, dry days, some good numbers heading west into Maswa and the area south west of Kusini. Will try and keep in touch.

Alex

Hi Carel,

Yesterday we had a super-herd file into the area in front of the Dulana Serengeti Camp staying for the whole day, evening and moving out east during the night time rain.

This morning we are left with a few thousand enjoying the refreshed grass in front of camp, whilst the main grouping is massed a kilometre away mostly on the Serengeti side of the boundary between the Ndutu woodlands and Kusini.

Its worth noting that a large calving group has been in residence at The Alamana in the Loliondo Game Conservancy Area for the past two weeks and have been consistently dropping calves as large build ups of rain have been consistent. Cumulus, blue skies and great game viewing!

Gary
Wildlife Explorer

Morning Carel,

Some good numbers around the Ndutu marshes and Hidden Valley with some of the bigger herds having moved towards the south-west of Ndutu.

Some sunshine over the last week or so, plenty of new arrivals and very good predator interaction on the plains. Enjoy the snippet of the first few almost steps of a new wildebeest calf.

Keep well,
Veronica 

Hello Carel,

Although most of the large numbers of wildebeest seem to be out Makao direction, there are still good numbers around the woodlands of Ndutu, mixed in with good numbers of zebra.

Our resident leopards are seen most days at the moment, and lots of cheetah with cubs and the large herd of elephant are at the gravel pond most afternoons for a swim. Last night we had a small amount of rain, much needed, and will hopefully develop into more.

All the best,
Ainslie

Morning Carel,

Nice big herds all south west of Ndutu Makau road. Babies galore, lots of cheetah action on the plains. 

The largest concentrations are here around Serengeti South and Kimuma hill. Probably amounting to a hundred thousand. Images to follow.  

Keep well,
Alex

It seems that we are having a wonderful calving season at Ndutu and the surrounding plains, all the way from Kusini through to Ndutu and Masek, to Olduvai and beyond to Piyaya and Gol Kopjes. 

With enough rain and good new grass do we expect the herds to be stationary for the next month or so with little movement other than the odd new born stretching their new legs. Cheetah, lion and a like are all having a feast of a time and most people would have timed their visit to the southern plains well with a few departures into late March probably a little late this year.

Wonderful video shared by Alex Walker and his team. Thanks Alex!

Hi Carel,

The herds are headed westward towards the tree line. Despite there being plentiful water on the open plains, not all the herds are birthing as yet so we should have a good February as usual. But it is happening.

In the south the herds are headed towards camp and Kimuma having spent the past few days in Kusini. The woodlands of Ndutu are full of Zebra.

Cheers,
Alex 

Morning Carel,

Caracal Plateau, Kusini and Makao Plains full. Babies popping out left right and centre too. Wonderful to drive into the middle, switch off the engine and just listen.

Cheers,
Ainslie

Hi Carel,

This afternoon we heard a large lake crossing and soon after hundreds of wildebeest streamed past the lodge. I climbed onto the roof of my house to record this. Spot the new calf. They soon settled down and grazed quietly round the rooms.

All the best,
Ainslie

Hey Carel,

It has been a bit busy only for a couple of days. The migration has been in the Ndutu area and calving season has been in full swing. We got a couple of pics from the air. Hope they are good enough. The migration has been scattered for miles to the east and west of the Ndutu airstrip.

The rains have been calming down a bit.

Thanks and Regards,
Capt. Joel J Fernandes 
 

Morning Carel,

The rains are patchy in the Ndutu area and there is a lot of movement with wildebeest herds following the front. They are moving between lake Ndutu and the small and big marsh. They have been a shift towards Miti Mitatu and the Hidden Valley with the herds following the lush green grass.

Keep well,
Lewis

Hi Carel,

Lots of rain and lots of mud and lots of wildebeest, so many in fact they are literally on my doorstep. The wildebeest all spread out through the valleys, plains, woodland and marsh areas.

Within one valley yesterday were a pride of lions, a cheetah with 3 cubs large numbers of wildebeest and giraffe and amazingly, wild dogs too. This is not a bad place to come on safari.

All the best,
Ainslie

Hi Carel, 

I just came from Ndutu. It is raining and the area is teeming with wildebeest and zebras. The herds had been around Lake ndutu through to small and big marsh heading towards Miti Mitatu and the Hidden Valley.

Great lion, hyena and cheetah sightings following the herds with some kills executed during the day.

Best Regards,
Lewis

Morning Carel,

The Loita and resident herds are still around and we have had some good numbers on the Meta plains. This funny video was filmed by one of our clients of a young male lion learning his trade - he seems to have a long way to go. We forget that cats are grown-up after only a year but that they still lack confidence, needed for survival outside of dad's pride.

We look forward to the return of the Serengeti herds a little later!

Keep well,
Tash Clementis,
The Safari Collection

Hi Carel,

These images of 9 wild dogs on a kill in the middle of Ndutu were just sent in by Nomad Tanzania guide Kennedy John. So it’s not all about the wildebeest this week! 

Warm wishes,
Amanda

Morning Carel,

Rain everyday for the last 10 days and the herds are spread out from Kakesio as far as Nasera Rock and the plains beyond.

We have seen several newborn babies over the past two days, the first on 1 January 2015!

Keep well,
Alex

Morning Carel,

We had a wonderful flight in Serengeti South this morning with two balloons MXC and MWD with Shawn and Moses as pilots respectively.

Flight duration was 1.1 hours with wildlife sighting including thousands of wildebeest, hyena, large herds of eland, black backed and golden jackal, ostrich and tawny eagle among others.

The entire Serengeti Balloon Safaris experience was enjoyed by all!