March 2015 - Wildebeest migration updates

Hi HerdTracker team,

After yesterday afternoons update, we had some nice steady rain over the central portion of the concession. I went out have a look at the situation on the plains myself. Nothing short of incredible!!

The attached photos that I took is what was actually happening out on Sabora and Nyati Plains yesterday evening.

This morning, as far as the eye can see, there are still literally hundreds of thousands of wildebeest colonising the area along our southern boundary with the Serengeti National Park.

I guess we will just have to wait to see what their next move will be.

Stand by…we will keep you posted.
 
Best,
Ryan Schmitt

Hi Carel,

The migration is kind of scattered now because of no rain but the big heading of migration is between Lobo and the Lkoma area with another big herd seen in the Kirawira region.

Thanks,
Veronica

Hi HerdTracker Team,

Over the last few days we have noticed that the herds have been moving back and forth somewhat but the major thing is that they have been very present here.

We experienced a few rain showers over the last few days and last night it drizzled pretty much the entire night.

This morning, Sabora Plains is overflowing with wildebeest (as seen in the attached photo by Frank Louw). It is difficult to guess how many but there are tens upon tens of thousands. It is pretty impressive.

Reports from our Grumeti Fund scout camps and OP’s say the western Grumeti Game Reserve is also inundated with large numbers of animals mainly zebra and wildebeest.

Thank you,
Ryan Schmitt

Hi Carel,

A report from Serengeti South: big rains yesterday and today, Serengeti looking emerald green and wildebeest are creeping back in.

Also, here's some great footage of the little albino calf!

Thanks,
Robyn
Alex Walker's Serian

Hi Carel,

A quick one as I am flying. There are still some small breeding herds around our Serengeti South camp. Probably not more than 5,000 in total. 

At Kusini, the herds have headed north and left the predators behind. It is still very dry and very dusty in the south. 

Regards,
Alex

Hi Carel,

Just an update from Lemala: Herds are very scattered and have been observed in central Serengeti, Musabi plains, Grumeti Reserves, Western Corridor, the Ikoma area near to Ikoma Gate as well as some groups up near Bologonja.

The areas are very dry now with no rainfall being recorded for some time.

Regards,
Veronica,
Lemala Camps

Hi Carel,

The big herds that were around the lodge last week started to disappear yesterday ( I think they have eaten everything) and only a few lines around the lodge now - speaking with guides no one is sure where they have all gone!

Cheers,
Oli

Hi Carel
we have had increasingly large numbers of wildebeest and zebra visiting our waterhole every day, all day, over the past week. The last two days have been exceptional with a constant stream of animals coming to drink, so much so that the waterhole has become less than half full. But the clouds have also been building, so lets hope we get some storms soon to refill it, and to green things up - as it's looking very dry with little grass around either.
Best
Oli
 

Hi Carel,

We have had increasingly large numbers of wildebeest and zebra visiting our waterhole every day, all day, over the past week. The last two days have been exceptional with a constant stream of animals coming to drink, so much so that the waterhole has become less than half full.

The clouds have also been building, so lets hope we get some storms soon to refill it, and to green things up - as it's looking very dry with little grass around either.

Best,
Oli

Morning,

I have some really good news, we are off to Rwenzuri mountains and the first rain has started in Uganda, so it surely will start in the Serengeti soon!  Staying over at a good friend Diederik Vandenhoeke!

Carel,
HerdTracker

Hi Carel,

Let's hope this is happening but it seems as though the rains may be starting. We have thunderstorms surrounding us at Singita Grumeti tonight. North, South, East and West. I hope that there is some decent rainfall somewhere at least.

Have a good Sunday!
Ryan

Hi Carel,

Just some images I promised - I have been doing the rounds today! Have flown Arusha, Grumeti, Kogatende, Sasakwa and Seronera. Very little sign of wildebeest and zebra.

Small herds around Grumeti, Sasakwa and north of Seronera. Most seem to be heading north. It is all dry, dry, dry. A few grass fires around as well. Will send some photos shortly.

We're now driving south west to our Dulana camp, Kusini.

Regards,
Sean Lues,
Wildlife Explorer

Hi Carel,

I just got back from the Serengeti and whilst there are some herds in central Serengeti, there are big herds around the Lobo area as well.

Great cat sightings to be seen too, but still the rain remains elusive.

Adam Mtinga,
Grumeti Expeditions Guide
 

Hi Carel,

With no rain for weeks, the central Serengeti seems to be getting really very dry and the grass is becoming shorter and yellower every day. 

Over the past three or four days we have been seeing larger and larger herds of zebra and wildebeest around Four Seasons, and this morning the lines of wildebeest that have been feeding around the lodge and running past our villas, started congregating in large numbers at our waterhole, quite a site for our guests to enjoy the migration from the comfort of the lodge - and pool!

Cheers,
Oli
 

Hi Carel,

We have had zero rain locally.

As for fires, I can tell you that the hills to the south of us have been burning for the last couple days. I have attached a map depicting where the fires to the south of us are. Tanapa has burnt the entire area to the east of Ikorongo and some of these fires have encroached into Ikorongo. The Serengeti fire map shows the extent of the burns to the east of us and north towards the Kenya border.

Thanks,
Ryan

Hi

Bwana still here. Pretty dry. Just seen some wild dog outside camp here, chasing down a yearling. Quite a few babies and moms in the treeline along the Kakessio and Ol Parsinyei rivers.

More in the Maswa woodlands to the west of us. The plains although dry remain alive with thompson and eland herds, also part of the migratory species but not the obvious two.

Will keep you posted,
Alex

Hi Carel,

The bulk of the herd that was on Grumeti Game Reserve has shifted further South and West into the SNP along our boundary, they are currently about 15kms West of Sabora Tented Camp. There are still smaller groups still located in the vicinity of Sasakwa Dam. See attached map for your reference.

Regards,
Ryan

Hi Carel,

With some guests in Central Serengeti and came across this nice group of wildebeest catching a rest under the shade of the trees near the hippo bridge.

The herds are still looking as though they are moving towards lobo and showing no signs of moving back to Ndutu. Still no rain here and so its very dry but lots of little foals around the place.

Have a great day!

Adam,
Grumeti Expeditions Guide

Hi Carel,

A huge herd of wildebeest - at least 10,000 strong is currently 15 minutes drive away from Serengeti Pioneer Camp.

The herds are moving from Moru area to around Pioneer camp / Lake Magadi. We have not had rain for a long time, everything is very dry and the wildebeest are in search of fresh grass and water. I have sent the rainfall of the last 4 months, February/March really dry.

Regards,
Tom

Hi Carel,

Just an update from Moru area, the situation is getting a little desperate, it is extremely dry and the wildebeest and zebra are in desperate need of both water and grazing, we are all hoping for rain soon.  

Will keep you informed and I will be in touch.

Keep well,
Emmanual Mkenda,
Ranger Safaris

Hi Carel,

Yesterday evening there was some thunderstorm activity to the south of us. On Sasakwa Plains this morning there is a strong movement of wildebeest heading west towards Nyasirori as seen from Sasakwa Lodge.

Ikorongo Game Reserve has been very quiet up until this morning with no reports of wildebeest coming out of there. The Western Grumeti Game Reserve is seeing small herds but nothing substantial at this point.

Let’s see what their next move will be!!

Thanks and have good day,
Ryan

Hi Carel,

We were sitting at our restaurant area, as you know, lovely view from there towards the south-east and we saw some good numbers arrive this morning.

Clouds of dust kicked up and it seems that there are more on their way, early for them to arrive with us but we are not complaining. Some pictures attached but your zoom lens would have come in handy!  

Keep well,
Stephan,
Mbalageti Serengeti

Morning Carel,

I took a drive up to Seronera from Ndutu and I must say it is dry in the southern Serengeti, the Seronera valley and riversystem is also drying up and this video will show you how dry it has become.

Hoping for the long rains to come soon for relief all round. This is probably the reason why there has been a move towards the Grumeti River and its water.

Keep well,
Ainslie

Hi Carel,

Not much change this way. We still have the large herds camped out on Nyati plains as well as Sasakwa plains. The big draw here is the large waterhole out on the plains. It doesn’t look as though any new herds have moved in. There has been some westward movement of a few wildebeest out towards Nyasirori way.

I have attached a couple pics taken yesterday.

Keep well!

Ryan,
Guide Manager,
Singita Grumeti

Dear Carel,

An update of the migration from yesterday morning. Huge herd of wildebeest. at least 10,000 strong 15 mins south of Serengeti Pioneer Camp, they have past Moru and heading towards Lake Magadi.

Very dry, still no rain, and the herds are on the move. I have attached video and a couple of photos.

Kind Regards,
Alison
 

Morning all,

Spent a few days in Ndutu but with it still being very hot and no signs of rain we made our way into Serengeti from the south and found some herds in the Moru area with big herds in Seronera and around Makoma Hills. They certainly look like they are making their way slowly out towards the north and with there having been some rain in the last two days around Makoma they are quite happy grazing their way up.

Lots of foals around with the usual sightings of some being ‘left behind’ asleep under the Acacia trees.Have a great week!

Warm regards
Adam Mtinga,
Grumeti Expeditions
 

Morning Carel,

A colleague who was also with me on the Serengeti Balloon Safaris flight over Seronera, took this amazing footage of one of the herds we flew over, which I thought you might want to share - pretty awesome.

I just heard reports from clients that arrived from Singita Grumeti Reserves, that the herds have arrived at the plains infront of Sasakwa, incredible, we might have very early crossings, they are affectively a few days away from the Mara River again. The main concentration is still in the central Serengeti and Moru Kopjes for now.  

Keep well,
Oliver Dreike,
Four Seasons Serengeti

Hi Carel,

Correct - Latest reports from the guides today as follows:

About 100000 migratory wildebeest on Nyati Plains and Sasakwa Plains

I hope this helps!

Regards,
Alison 

Mid March update:

It has been very dry in the Serengeti after some early rain throughout the southern plains during January, with the Serengeti's shallow soil and solid granite sub-surface drying up quickly, this will have two possible scenarios and at this stage it could be either:

We predict a wet long-rainy season and the weather experts still say that Tanzania is to have a wet "long rains". Would the first rains of the season fall in time to turn the herds around to head south again?

It might just do that, for now it seems the herds were forced to the Seronera Valley, Moru's Lake Magadi and Ndutu's Hidden valley for water. The long rains will slow down the march north to the Grumeti River and beyond but if the rains stay away until the herds reach the Grumeti and Mbalageti Rivers will they turn around and or just stay in the western & central Serengeti for longer this year?

I wonder if this year is not going to be the Western Corridor's turn to amaze us, with the likelihood of Grumeti River crossings happening this year, this would on average happen once every 6 - 8 years, so not to be missed. The Grumeti River crocodiles are some of the biggest in the world and they have fewer chances of river crossings so let’s see.

I am certainly heading to Serengeti HerdTracker Explorer Camp that will be on the Western corridor this May - early June. This would also open up Singita's Grumeti Reserve to the north of the Grumeti, and it is seldom that there is space at Sabora Plains and Sasakwa with the migration there.

Happy travelling!

Carel Verhoef - HerdTracker

Bwana Carel!

Flew back yesterday out of Sero, huge herds all over the area, around Serengeti Wilderness Camp and across to Masai Kopjes... no rain yet so water sources under pressure.

Also got some nice herds down by Ndutu earlier, Hidden valley area, again dry as hell.

If we get good rains around Ndutu now and the grass pops up, they may all go back down south, who knows. Excellent time to travel RIGHT NOW!

Cheers,
John Addison,
Wild Frontiers

Dear Carel,

I have just returned from our camp, Lemala Ewanjan in Central Serengeti and observed big herds pouring into the area from the direction of Naabi Hill. It is still very dry in the Ndutu area and no animals were seen around there. 

I have put a short video of one of the herds taken from our camp.

Best wishes,
Tom

Hi Carel,

We found the white wildebeest calf again and all is well for now, alive and still around our area here at Serian Serengeti South.

Gerard Ambrose, one of our profesional guides, wonderful photographer with a wealth of guiding experience captured this image!

Thanks,
Alex

Hi Carel,

Huge herds of wildebeest stretching from Lake Magadi to the road towards Sopa Junction, many babies in the herds. Not moving far at the moment and not many zebra amongst this large herd.

Just in, the migration is now stretching from Lake Magadi to central Seronera

Will keep you updated!

Kind Regards,
Alison & Tom Mees

Dear Carel,

Hope you are doing well. See the attached photo of wildebeest, the week was very good, some days the sunrise was magnificent and brilliant sunsets.  

Wildebeest migration: Groups of wildebeest arrived a few days ago this is good because it shows that more are on the way to central Serengeti, it is still dry at both Ndutu and most the southern plains.

Regards,
Japhet,
Dunia Camp

Hi Carel,

Left Ndutu this morning having seen just a few small herds of wildebeests and headed into Serengeti, good size herds around Naabi and then ran into a spectacular group around Moru.

It's still very dry in Ndutu but not sure if the wildebeests know something we don't as they appeared to be heading back to Ndutu. Going through central today so let's see what it brings.

Have an awesome day.

Veronica,
Reporting live and direct from Lemala Ewanjan

Hi Carel,

I just drove from Serengeti Sopa and Moru Kopjes to Ndutu and I can report that the front-end of the herds have moved as far north-west at Moru Kopjes and I bumped into many more following in the north-westerly direction of Moru from Naabi.

It is still dry on the plains and it seems that Lake Magadi will be the place to be for them for water. I am returning to Ndutu tomorrow and will let you know what is happening down there.

Keep well,
Ephata,
Ranger Safaris Guide

Hi Carel,

Guests had an incredible day today - huge herds in the park with wildebeest all the way from Simba Kopjes and Naabi to Lake Magadi and Gong Rock - heading to Moru.

Cheers,
Oli
 

Morning Carel,

Just an update on the white (albino) wildebeest calf that was spotted by Nomad last week, we found him again several days ago, shunned by his mother and pushed away by the herd.

We bumped into him, this time right in front of camp still following his mother. Lets see what happens and we will keep an eye out for him. He seems to be feeding and we are monitoring his hearing and eyesight which appear to be limited.  

Keep well,
Alex

Hi Carel!

I have just finished my safari with my clients they have enjoyed very well we had incredible sightings would like to share some of the best pictures the migration were at Serengeti South.

Emmanuel Mkenda,
Ranger Safaris