Masai Mara Wildlife Updates

A great morning with the leopards

2012-01-24T12:26:00.000-08:00

Today my “ office” did not dissapoint. I set out early as i have been doing to look for zawadi the leopard since i did not see her or the other leopared by the Mara river yesterday. Today i got to the leopard gorge at 7.00am sharp. I was only focused on the leopard. I even had to painfully ignore a perfect sunrise with a lone Boscia tree and a giraffe(the typical African horizon photo)

I arrived at the same time as my friends Jonathan Scott and Angie. We have all been attracted to this spot by Zawadi. When with Jonatahn, we keep talking about the good old days, when the leopard gorge was the place to be if you wanted to see a leopard. This morning we spent about two hours with her, as she posed on the rocks, walk around and play with the cub. i may not have taken any good shot, but i enjoyed more just sitting to watch. When she left the cub, we thought she had gone to hunt so we did not want to disrupt and so we left the gorge, to go and look for other animals, then ended up at the camp for lunch.

When i went out again later, i wanted to look for Olive, the leopard to show my guest. I found lions, girrafes etc, and just whne i was going back to camp, i found Olive and bahati. What a day!. The two leopards entertained us fro sometimes playing around before wandering around. At some point bahati jumped on some guinea fowls, missing one by a whisker. I went back to camp very happy. Surely my “office” can never dissapoint.

On the lookout from a tree

spending time with cub

The cub learning jumping techniques

Zawadi takes time to play with her cub

Filling the gaps in my "office"

2012-01-23T12:41:00.000-08:00

Today as usual i set out into my”office” to look for the leopard i saw last evening heading to her den with kill but i did not find it even after spending 2.30hrs going around the same place many times. Now i had to look for alternatives. Not far from where we had been driving around was a herd of Elephants. I noted the light was great so i convinced my guest to take pictures of them even though he has had enough elephants shots. What followed was clicks after clicks when the elephants went just past us casually and there were two males teasing each other to a fight. With these shots, the day was now started. After this we went down to the river to look for a place to have a picnic. Before i got there i found a martial eagle that had killed and was eating a young thomson’s gazelles. There were more clicks before the eagle took off and landed on the opposite bank of rht eriver, but within our view. As i parked the car next to the river ready to unpack our picnic box, my guest was clicking away from the roof hatch of the car. I inquired what was of interest and he showed me some two Hippos which were roughing one another. They continued to perform for us the entire time we had our picnic. So we were between sipping coffee and clicking. After the Hippos slowed down the show we went off to look for the leopard again, but it was geeting hot and our chance of seeing her was not great. I drove along the stream commonly known as Kifugo ya nyoka, whihc heads not from the Mara river in teh opposite direction to Serena lodge. It was then that i came across a green backed night heron on a nest. I have never seen one with small chicks. We spent one hour with the birds, watching them change guard(between male and female). This crowned our morning and we went back to camp. Surely this was not a leopard morning, but alas other things came along,and as usual i say welcome to my ‘’office” and bush school where you learn forever!....

A herd of Elephants we spent time photographing

Martial eagle with kill

Two Hippos charging at one another

But sometimes they were friends again

One of the heron parents on nest with chicks

Heron with Chicks

Two Leopards, two kills in day

2012-01-22T11:57:00.000-08:00

Today has been a leopards day for me and my guest. I started the day by visiting the leopard gorge once more to see zawadi. When i arrived at the spot where we left her last evening, i was at first worried when i saw a Hyaena sleeping under the small tree i saw the cub climbing yesterday. This instantly become my concern on the saftey of the cub. i picked up my Binocular to scan the ridge and i was relieved to see the tiny cub in teh tree, at least safe from the Hyaena. The next thing was to look fro her mom, whom i shoortly picked up through my binoculars behind the tree where the cub was. At this point i was relieved.

After about 40 minutes watching her, she got up and headed east of the gorge and i thought she was going to drink from a nearby pool. But she carried on going and we only stopped following her when she started to hunt. She managed to kill a young Impala which she immediately took up the tree to avoid the Hyaenas that turned up immediately she killed the impala. She proceeded to take it up the tree fro safety where she went on to feed.

I left the sighting to go and look for another leopard (Pump house female) with two tiny cubs near the Mara river. I had seen her two weeks ago,a nd i got information yesterday that she has been seen again with the cubs. When i arrived at the location of her den, by some big rocks near the river, i driove along there but did not see her since it was still very hot. However, i stampled upon a caracal! What a gift! She satyed there and allaowed me to take about 10 pictures before she went into the bushes. I satyed around as i waited for the sun to go down or at least the heat to go down.

While i was waiting and constantly scanning the surrounding area to see if i can see the leopard coming. Finally i saw her walking through the grass in a hunting mode. The next thing i saw was her carrying a young thomson gazelle, which she took to the den by the rocks. Those were the activities of interest in my office today. I am off very early tomorrow to look for the pump house leopard and her cubs.

Zawadi's cub, up at tree to avoid the Hyaena

Zawadi sunning herself in the morning sunshine on her current favourite rock at the gorge

Prey seen in a distance

scanning the valley below from a termite mount

The pump house female pauses during her long walk to the den

Carrying a precious catch

With a take away meal

Another day spent at the leopard gorge

2012-01-21T11:35:00.000-08:00

I spent the day again today at the gorge, staring into a small bush for 8hrs! This is the small bush on a ridge at theleopard gorge where i spent about the same time again waiting for zawadi to come out and pose for us. Teh wait today was longer but of course having warmed up yesterady, i was all set for teh wait.

I arrived at the leopard gorge some minutes to 7am and found nobody there, so i had to look around to find zawadi. I was able to locate her within minutes and what a gift! She came out and sat on teh rock in teh nice morning light. However, the cub did not join her ruining what would have been a nice mother/cub potrait on the rock in nice golden morning light. After taking some shots she went back to the bush again. this seemed to have been teh end of the show for the day, we did not have another great pose.

It was around 10.30am whne a Hyaena came to where zawadi was with her cub. the hyaena went round and at some point was close to teh cub, causing zawadi to engage in some confrontation. She did not manage to ward the hyanean off completely. Bith animals went to sepnd the day ont eh opposite side of the same bush. This led us to worry for the cub, but without our knowledge, the cub had gone up a very thin tree trunk. I then waited and waited, untill the hyaena left the scene around 4pm. I also gave up at 6.30pm after waiting for hours.

Today i and my guest were the only “die hards” to brave the baking sun, staring into the small bush across the gorge hoping for zawadi to come out and pose once more. But well.............. this is ‘my office’ where nothing sticks to a partern/routine and no rule has been set for our subjects! Things just unfold and you find out as you go! Welcome to my office cum bush school, there is a lot to learn here!

Zawadi on her favourite lookout rock, this morning

Playing with her cub

A beautiful view of the northern entrance into the gorge

Zawadi warding off an intruding Hyaena

A day with Zawadi, the Leopard

2012-01-20T12:04:00.000-08:00

I set out this morning for a game drive at 6.am, with one objective, to see Zawadi the leopard at the leopard gorge. She had been reported to have one cub of about 3 months old. My mission and that of my guests who has been coming here for many years, was to establish the truth, since the leopard in reference is a known character who featured a few times on the BBC’s Big Cat Diary. She is about 16 yrs old by now and for her to have a cub at this age is proving us wrong in what we would have thought is not possible.

Back to the leopard gorge.... when i got there this morning, i found Jonathan Scott, a proffessional photographer in the Mara who has been following this particular leopard since she was a small cub. When we met, we talked of the good old days at the same place when we used to come and see Half tail, Zawadi’s mother in the early 90s. This particular spot was a popular land mark for the driver guides looking for leopards.

When i arrived, before my chat with Jonathan, i looked around and did not see teh leopard though i know she will be somewhere here if Jonathan is also around. It did not take long befroe i saw some movement in the grass on the opposite side of the gorge, and there our anticpiation and long drive was rewarded when she appeared with the cub. Our cameras immediatley went into “rapid fire” mode taking so many of the pictures we later deleted whne she posed nicely giving us the opportunity we wanted. We watched her and around 9am sh eleft the cub and walked away. We assumed she went to hunt and we did not want to spoil her hunt, so we just waited where we were. She came back and went to where the cub was and just slept! We waited until 5.45pm when she came out with the cub, and gave as some great nice poses, whne she knew well that the light was gone and we could not take any picture; well...tomorrow is another day, an di will be there early enough an dall set to spend another day at the gorge, either taking pictures of her, or waiting! Thats life in the Mara....my office.

With the tall grass, she has to be on the lookout all the time when her cub is playing

A lookout from her observation rock

Zawadi plays with her cub on the rocks above the gorge

The cub playing with mum's tail

The Lion and Buffalo drama in the Mara

2012-01-15T12:14:00.000-08:00

The five male lions coalition (Notch & sons) killed a Hippo near Rekero last night. I found them this morning feeding ont he hippo, thouhg Notch himself had already eaten and was sleeping in teh shade about a hundred metres fro teh carcass.

As the morning sun started getting hot, the lions left the carcass one by one untill only one was left and this one decided to guard the carcass from teh Hyaenas that were waiting around.

While watching this, some four Buffalo bulls came towards the carcass. Tehy soon picked teh scent of the lions and they started charing at two males that were sleeping in the bush, driving them away from the vicinity of the carcass, although Notch was spared since he was a bit further. The Buffaloes left breifely before coming back and started chasing the lions again around. This time they went upto the carcass and drove away the one that was watching over it, and drove them away including Notch.

After this drama which lasted half of the morning, the Buffaloes gave up and left the lions to continue with feast. This is the fourth Hippo we have seen recently killed by the five. It seems they are now tunring to the Hippos since there is not much else to hunt.

The Buffaloes turned up at the carcass and the lion which was watching over had to flee for dear life

The Buffaloes briefly went to investigate the carcass

Then they decided to drive the lions completely out of the vicinity

It was inetersting to see the big males which brought down the Hippo were running away from the Buffaloes. i could not take picture of all the actions, as i also had to put my camera away and observe the drama.

challenges and excitement in the Mara

2012-01-11T12:38:00.000-08:00

The tall grass in the Mara is currently presenting a challenge to us in the field when looking for game. The grass is so tall in some places that it can reach 2.5mts! we normally experience such situation in April May and June after the long rain just before the wildebeests arrives. At the moment the animals in the reserve are only concentrated in certain places, mostly where the grass or drier ground. Due to this, the cats and other predators are facing a season of reduced food supply since the animals staying in such groups are more vigillant.

Despite the above condition, we are having great sightings. We have been seeing Bahati, the leopard cub movong between the Talek and Olare-Orok rivers. this evening she gave us superb sighting, posing for us from the tree top at sunset.

Lions:

The marsh pride is still split up. Joy is with her two subadult sons and five cubs, one of whihc is adopted. The four musketeers are still by Bila Shaka, now with Bibi and white eye the rest of the pride are on the border of the reserve. On a few occasions they have killed cows in the nearby villages. Romeo ahs dissapeared for sometimes now and we are worried he could have died. We saw Clawed recently, look better.

Cheetahs in the reserve are now very few and getting even difficult to find one. I heard this evening that Shingo’s male cubs were seen over lunch heading inot the park. I will report tomorrow when i see them.

Photogenic sunrise lately

One of the Rhinos we have been seeing quite often towards the Mara river

I came across this Hippo this morning on the plains before making his way to the river

I followed Bahati this morning, and is a challenge keeping her on site

Wattled plover, is one of the birds found along water pans/pools

Bahati up a tree this evening scouting for prey from a tree top

Elephant sighting is really great at the moment

The lions are having a rough time finding prey, hence go up trees or termite mount to use as

The end of a great safari season

2011-12-31T00:33:00.000-08:00

As the year 2011 comes to an end, i would like to reflect on the safaris i have had in the past season. My safaris this year took me to many places of interest to my guests, whihc indluded Serengeti national park, Ngorongoro crater, L. Manyara, Samburu, L. Nakuru, Lewa, Ilgwesi and mostly Masai Mara among other places. In all these places my guests and i were able to enjoy great wildlife and cultural experience. In the new year, i am hoping to visit these and many more other places to share my experience and great photographic opportunties with my guests.

What i was able to enjoy most this year was, the great migration of wildebeests in the Mara and Serengeti, leopard sightings in Serengeti, Lewa and moslty in the Mara where we could see them every day. Lions sighings were good as well as the general game. I still remember the emotions i and my guests and other guides had during the take over of the marsh pride of lions by four new males which came into the area in September, kicking out the older two dominant males.

Finally, i would like to introduce my new website http://paulkirui-photography.com/ where i now post my photographs and share safari experience with others

I would like to wish you all a happy new year with fulfilling expectations.

This year i and my guests were able to witness a lot of predator actions

Witnessing the migration this year was a great experience for me and my guests

We enjoyed many leopards sightings

we were lucky many times with good lighting for great photographic opportunity

Good leopard sighting in northern Serengeti

We had great cultural experience

Rhinos at Lewa

Grevy zebra- lewa

Joy the lioness at the marsh in the mara with her cubs. We spent an emotional moment watching the taking over of the marsh pride by new males.

Flamingoes on Lake Nakuru

Unseasoned rain changes the Mara

2011-12-21T13:25:00.000-08:00

I am now back again to the "office" after being away to do guides training and exams.

The Mara is now green with tall grass dominating the landscape. It is still very wet in most places an done has to drive around with a lot of caution. The unseasoned rain has changed teh way the Mara is traditionally around December. The gras would be short or just starting to grow tall from teh usual short rains. But this year everything changed. The ituation in teh Mara now is more like what youi would expect in May- June after the long rains.

Game veiwing is fair, but it is a challenge to see enough. Many animals, especially the resident herbivores, have converged into small herds in isolated pockets across the park. It is no suprise to drive for kilometres without seeing an animal, then suddenly you come across a herd.

The lion prides are now very mobile since htere is little to eat. The Olkiombo pride is now buy Maji ya fisi, south of Talke bridge. The Ridge pride is now around Rekero and Naibor camp and the area just south of these places. Olkeju-Rongai pride shares the same hunting ground with them in these places. Notch and sons keeps moving back and forth between theses prides.
The marsh pride is still split up. Joy plus 5 cubs and 2 subadults are between Topi plains and Bila shaka. Teh 4 Musketeers are at the marsh and have now been joined by Bibi and white eye. The rest are still keeping away from them. Romeo an,d clawed ahve not been seen for a week. flooded streams/rivers have been preventing us from moving freely.

The skies in the afternoon have been characterized by heavy downpours

There are many more elephants in the park than in the past few months

Notch and sons has lately been moving between Olkeju Rongai, part of Olkiombo and Ridge pride

This is one of the leopards we have been seeing near the Mara river

News on Romeo and Clawed

2011-11-25T08:44:00.000-08:00

Today i have good news for the Mara big cat lovers and followers of this blog.

Romeo is alive! today around 10am i was called by a friend and guide from governors that he found Romeo on Rhino Ridge. after scrutnising he and other guides confirm it is him. My friend sent me pictures to my phone an di also confirmed. Apparently i cannot transfer the picture form phone to post here. they are also in very small files.

Romeo still bears teh scars from teh fight with the musketeers, and still most of the wounds are fresh and he walks with difficulty. Interetsingly whne he was found this morning he had just killed a warthog.

Clawed is also back to the marsh. He has been just outside the riverine forest by Ilmoran camp. while the musketeers headed to paradise plains 2 days ago.

yesterday there 13 members of the pride at Bilashaka including white eye, Bibi and the youngsters. they ar eall back from Kichwa Tembo area. Could the pride be coming together again? with Clawed in the area and Romeo heading this way slowly it seems so, but time will tell.

when i was young my grand mother told me that cats have "2 hearts" because they don't die easily. Now i think she was right, if Clawed and Romeo are still going.............

Romeo and the rest of the pride during his reign as king of the Marsh

Marsh pride brief

2011-11-22T21:37:00.000-08:00

I apologize i have notbeen able to update my blog fro sometimes. i have been busy in a different location with guides training and examining.
however, i have been following what is happening in the Mara, especially with the Marsh pride.
the 4 new males are around teh marsh but have failed to this point to bring together the former pride members. Currently the pride has disintegrated, with Joy and her 4 cubs plus one adopted together with her subadult males are now on Topi plains. as of yesterday teh 3 females, Bibi, Charm and white eye were at Bila shaka.
some the rest of teh pride have been crossing the Mara river west into Kichwa Tembo airstrip area, obviously with the absence of the former pride kings, Romeo and Clawed, they now feel vulnerable. of course with a few subadult males in the pride, tehy know that the new males will not tolerate them so they have to move away.
Clawed was seen last week near paradise crossing, but have not been seen since then. Romeo has not been seen, and this raises concerns.
i will keep updating as usual.

The Marsh pride- JOY'S story (June 2011)

2011-10-20T04:15:00.000-07:00

Joy’s story (June 2011)

While so much has been happening lately with the Marsh pride, there is one individual that stands out as my favourite. That is Joy.

When she had her now sub adult sons in early 2009, she separated herself from the rest of the pride since she was the only with cubs at that time. The main reason was to feed her cubs away from the rest of the pride where competition may not have allowed them to eat enough.

She would always be found on the fringes of the prides home range. As some other cubs were born in her absence, they grew up not seeing her with the rest of the pride, and this was why when she tried coming back in June this year with her now 7 month old cubs, they could not accept her. Her only link to the pride were the 2 males Romeo and clawed (at least one must be the father of the cubs)

I observed her trying to bring her cubs into the pride but none of the other members, except the males would allow her. I saw her fight a lot with them especially when there was a kill. What was interesting to observe when all this was happening, was that her sub adult male cubs would always come to her aid whenever she had a confrontation with any other pride. The boys have also been assisting her in hunts lately. Towards the end of last month, the boys had left her, obviously to start nomadic life. I saw them once fighting fiercely with hyaenas that wanted to take their kill.

Whne the new males came in to the marsh recently, she has managed to keep her cubs safe. She has now moved further away from the new males and the rest of the pride. Though her cubs may be safe for now, they are still in danger if she encounters any other males outside the marsh territory. she was seen today near double crossing area and that is not far from where notch and gang have been roaming. there are also some nomadic males that transits through the area.

She has also adopted another much younger cubs from another female from the marsh, sienna. She had lost the cub 2 days ago when she moved to her new location, but the rangers yesterday found the cub alone and took it to her and are now united.

NB: the 4 new males are still at eth marsh. While the other 3 are still with Bibi, Scar face this morning was seen with one of white eye’s daughters, with white eye nearby. Clawed and Romeo and the lone female are still on the rocky area of the Ridge, looking a bit better after the rangers fed them 2 days ago.

One of the younsters from the main pride approaches Joy to feed on a wildebeest she killed

Joy runs to fight off the unwanted visitor. she ignored the youngsters' submissive behaviour:

Joy's sub adult son rushes in to mum's rescue and badly fought the intruder

The intruder got a real beating from the two

With the help of her son, they saw the intruder off

Romeo came to investigate what was happening and the young male obligedly left to avoid confrontation with dad, who may thing he is the trouble maker; but Joy and the young cubs had no problem

The marsh Pride update- The boys are back

2011-10-15T02:21:00.000-07:00

False alarm! Just after posting on this blog yesterday that teh 4 males had left the marsh, they appeared again this morning. We found them at Bila shaka lugga (Geoffrey's crossing) this morning feeding on a wildebeest carcass whihc they finished off and proceeded to bushes along the lugga for shade and are now doing what lions do best, leg in the air, and sleep! the four have caught up with Bibi and are taking turns mating with her again!

Joy and the five cubs plus the subadult males are still between silanga and Topi plains. I could not find clawed and Romeo this morning but am still looking around; teh rest of teh pride are in the marsh area.

i will keep you updated.

A picture last week of the 4 new males at the marsh with Bibi

The Marsh Pride update- Things ease off

2011-10-14T13:39:00.000-07:00

It appears now that the takeover at the marsh may not happen as soon as we thought. Things seems to have slowed down over the past week and now almost back to normal except for the absence of Romeo an dclawed close to teh females.

The four new males that came into the marsh and mated with Bibi, for almost 2 weeks, have now left the area in teh last 2 days. We could not find them since Wednesday and we think they may have gone back to Olare-Orok conservancy.

This has brought about a sigh of relieve to many from teh worry of Joy lossing her cubs to the new males had they found her. Now though the cubs are safe, at least for now, the two males, Romeo and Clawed bored the brunt of the of the aggression of the new males and are now both nursing their injuries with Clawed being worse off. He seems at least better than a week ago but still seemingly in pain, sleeping in the same place he has been for the past week( though he has a shallow breath) Romeo is still around manager’s crossing(near where Bila shaka) joins the Mara river

Currently Joy with her 4 cubs an d1 of Sienna’s, have been on the lugga between Silanga and Topi plains. She has now been rejoined by her two subadult males who had gone away briefly recently. Tehy aqre now on her side, perhaps having sense larking danger. I have seen the two boys come to her aid to chase away any naughty The rest of the females and subadults had retreated into the long reeds bytb e windmill but today a couple of females, White eye and Sienna moved back to Bila Shaka, i guess to scout around if safe now to call the others.

Now we never know if the four males will come back into the marsh again soon.

Good thing to be a kid! here Joy's cubs plays, totally oblivious of all the dangers that was close to them from the new males. Good news they are safe, for now......

Charm and the subadults walks away after feeding off a wildebeest one morning recently after a fight with Hyaenas

These are the Hyaenas that ganged up and managed to snatch some food from the above members of the marsh pride

The Marsh Pride takeover latest update

2011-10-08T03:40:00.000-07:00

Yesterday:

The takeover in progress at the marsh by the 4 new males continues to affect the pride composition and habits of the members. By yesterday, the majority of the members, Sienna, Charm and the 9 subadults had moved to the rocky area on Rhino Ridge overlooking Bila Shaka. Joy and her 4 cubs and the one for Sienna were at the top of Silanga lugga, while Joy was a short distance from them dowstream.

The 4 males were still with Bibi. However, the mating has taken a new trend. Now the males are takign turns to mate with her, unlike in the begining when only one of them kept her, chasing away the others. The one with her yesterday was one male with a noteable scar over his right eye. I and my guests named him ‘scar face’

Today:

By this morning, the gap between all the above is getting smaller. Joy just moved ashort distance from where she was yesterday and the rest of teh pride took her place. White eye has now joined Bibi and the four males. It seems the boys are slowly wining the pride to their side. I believe with Romeo and clawed now absent, the females may slowly accpet teh new fellows. It will be interesting though, to see what the new males will do with the subadult males still with Sienna and Charm. The four males with Bibi and white eye were this morning at the junction of Silanga and Bila shaka lugga. They are now all within less than a square kilometre. Clawed has not been seen fro 3 days now, whihc is a worry in that wiht the rest of the pride away an dhis bad health, he may not be able to eat, and that is not good.

The main pride members rests on Rhino Ridge overlooking Bila Shaka yesterady morning

2 of the young males in the pride whose future in the pride is uncertain with the takeover

Joy and her 4 cubs with one for Sienna sleeping under an Olive tree int eh open

3 of the four new males with Bibi and another male in the back at Bila Shaka near where they killed a buffalo 3 days ago

Bibi and scar face moves away from teh other males as they are the active mating pair at the moment

New males taking over the marsh pride,

2011-10-03T13:40:00.000-07:00

The history of the marsh pride in the Masai Mara game reserve is about to be re-written. The pride has been dominated by two males Romeo and clawed.

Four days ago, some 4 young males, thought to be 4yrs and one slightly older moved inot the marsh area from Olare-Orok conservancy. They have been moving around the border of the park and the conservancy. I remember, 2 weeks ago they gave us rough time when they came and moved through our camp for almost 3 nights in a row, forcing us to go to bed early.

These new males whne they arrived at the marsh they almost got up with Joy and the cubs, btu Joy managed to take them to safety. They only settled whne they came across Bibi, one of the females whom they went ahead to mate with. One of the males seem to be dominant to the other 3. When they came in, we knew it was a take over in process. I remember my fellow guide, Simon Chebon comment ‘’this is a take over already’’

Normally when new males take over another pride, they will kill all small cubs. We got worried imediately these males came into the marsh that they will kill the young cubs. Currently Joy, one of the females at the marsh has 4 young cubs, about 6 months old and has lately been looking after a 3 month old cub belonging to on of the other females. I have been spending the whole day at the marsh since these new males came in, just to watch teh unfolding changes.

Last night these new males fought the resident males and badly injured clawed, but Romeo managed to take off and was today found up on Rhino Ridge, while clawed lay the whole day below the airstrip with a fatal injury on his spine sustained from the fight. He also got injured on upper and inner thigh. He can now barely move or even roll over due to much pain.

The new males seem to be in no rush now, especially that clawed is helpless and and Romeo has fled. Our hearts goes to Joy and the cubs as we know only well that the ineviatbel will happen if the new males come across them.

I will keep documenting the unfolding tomorrow and sharing here, the new development.

Clawed in great pain from injuries sustained from fight with new males. his injuries are too bad ha can barely move

Clawed lying out in the sun today; he is injured and could not even move to look for shade

One the run: Joy with one of the cubs run away from danger of the new males

Joy taking the cubs to safety when the new males almost killed them 3 days ago

Two of the four new males at the marsh

The dominant male among the 4. He is the one that claimed Bibi and fought off the off the others

Romeo, with white eye next to him and charm plus some of the sub-adults feeding on wildebeest carcass yesterday morning not far from the 4 intruders

Another change in the migration

2011-09-11T13:00:00.000-07:00

After a brief excitement with the coming back of the wildebeests for a second time this season in the Mara, it is all disappointment now with the herds having changed course over the last few days.

Doing a round the Mara fact finding mission today, I could see that most of the wildebeests were crossing the sand river over to northern Serengeti. The central plains which were teeming with wildebeests last week is now almost empty. The crossing on the Mara river by lookout hill and at paradise crossing point has gone quiet as well. In fact 3 days ago, the was heavy crossing on the Talek, with many wildebeests going north of the river, but the same have made a turn around and now heading south.

There is a sizeable herd though heading into Musiara marsh from the western edge of Rhino ridge. These changes have been caused by the unseasonal rains.

I will keep updating

Map showing current location

wildebeests crossing the Talek a few days ago

The wildebeests have come back again!

2011-09-04T13:11:00.000-07:00

Just three days after I posted on this blog about the exit of the wildebeest from Masai Mara, they made a complete turn around and in full swing came back a second time since July. Although from experience over the past years, I knew they will come back again considering that they left quite early. However, I could imagine it will be that quick.

They have come back, and now the plains around lookout hill, is teeming with thousands of wildebeest. We saw hundreds cross this afternoon over to the triangle and we expect heavy crossing over the next few days. there are also many headed north towards the Talek, where they will cross over heading to Topi plains and Musiara marsh.
So if you are headed this way soon, then it is a great opportunity.

The herds on the plain south west of look out hill overlooking Mara bridge.

The herds spread across the plains to east.

Change in migration pattern

2011-09-01T12:58:00.000-07:00

The migration continued in an unpredictable pattern over the past week. The concentration thinned out towards the end of last week with only a notable concentration witnessed on the central plain south of the Talek gate and on the triangle around the salt lick. Earlier in the week many animals crossed back east by lookout hill which is an indication they are headed for north Serengeti. But some headed to the central plains and these are the herds we are seeing now. Most of the wildebeest which were found by the salt lick started heading south.

The change in the rain pattern has really caused all the changes in the migration trend. The weather over the past month has been like what is normally expected in July, Low temperatures and overcast days. Although it may appear empty now, there is still plenty to see. The big cats are out and about, while the general plains game can also bee see.

The rain stopped three days ago and it appears we are set for the usual September weather of heat and dust.

Current situation

Big herds of wildebeests heading south

Migration late August update

2011-08-24T06:55:00.000-07:00

The change in weather pattern has caused confusion in the migration trend in the Mara. The wildebeests stopped crossing the Mara river west onto the Mara triangle and instead moved away from the river completely. Most animals moved back to the marsh in the north and out into the conservancies, Olare-Orok and Mara north. The rest of the herds crossed the Talek river by the end of last week south towards Keekorok, but these ones are now headed back towards the Talek again.

While this is happening in the east, the animals that crossed over the Mara triangle are now crossing back to the east. For the past few days these crossing have been happening at Lookout hill, Paradise crossing point, pump house and near the marsh. We expect this continue over the next week. But we will keep you updated.

Many of the wildebeests fell prey to the Mara's abundant predators

It has been a season of plenty for the the big cats

(Paning shot) mother and calf rushes across Olare-Orok river

The herds moves across the grassland towards the river

Wildebeest latest report

2011-07-02T07:41:00.000-07:00

The wildebeest have started to return to Masai Mara after going back into northern serenegti briefly a week and a half ago due to the rains that came across teh region. However, the rains didn't last long and it is now hot again. for the last two days, i have been driving round thenorthern part of serengeti between wakokuria an dlobo area. the herds as confirmed yesterday and today have been crossing the sand river inot Masai Mara. many animals have crossed inot the Mara and are now between Keekorok and Roan hill. some animals though could be seen headin to the southern Mara bridge and these are predicted to cross the Mara river int eh next 2 days. teh herds seen between bologonja and sand river are the leading animals and part6 of the first group. the second group is now just after Grumeti. these are expected to join the rest of the herds in the Mara later int eh coming months. i will keep updating.
for those heading to the Mara, tey are expected to start crossing over the coming week near lookout hill.

Migration 2011 update

2011-06-16T13:43:00.000-07:00

The migration of wildebeests in the Mara has started in earnest. The Loita population of wildebeests, moved into the Mara, and crossed the river at paradise crossing point one week ago. They crossed from Paradise plains onto Mara triangle. However, they started coming back after a few days.

Generally, the Loita herds have been in teh Mara longer thant any recent years. They left the Mara last November, only to return in February due the the drought. They even went all the way to the river at paradise crossing point an dsome crossed over to the Mara triangle, which is quite unusual. We saw them have calves in the Mara, whereas they would normally have them in the Loita plains.

As of now, there is a concentration of wildebeests around Topi plains, parts of Olare-Orok and Mara North conservancy, and a few are on paradise plains. The southern migration is reported to be around Ikorongo, and grumeti game reserve, with the first herds heading North towards the Mara. Though there is plenty of grass in their way, they are expected to cross the border in another 2-3 weeks, although this can always change.

I will keep you updated

Map of the Serenegti-Mara ecosystem showing the current location of the migrating herds

Some of the wildebeests rests on the plains in Olare-Orok conservancy

Some of the wildebeests with their new calves in the Mara in March this year: Note the effect of he drought on the grass

Mara Big Cat update

2011-06-09T05:30:00.000-07:00

Below is brief update on the big cats in central Mara;

The Mara now is teeming with very tall grass, whihc is making the cats unable to hunt effectiviel since most of the animals are only confined into small areas. However, the Loita herds of wildebeests are still around Musiara area and topi plains. These have been providng the Marsh pride with food supply. The marsh pride is still intact with their old males, Romeo and Clawed with the pride.

The ridge pride is into 4 different groups of different numbers occupying small sections of their initial territory.A group of 4 lionesses and 8 cubs of age 7 months are occupying between Mara intrepid camp and Rekero camp going further to junction of Mara River and Talek, Notch and the son’s are in charge of these group, from maternity to the top of the ridge to the topi plain 9 lions, 4 lionesses 5 cubs of age 2 years, in between Olare Orok and intiakitiak 5 lions 3 lionesses and 2 cubs of different ages 19 months and 18 months the two are males, giving a total of 32 including notch and the sons.

The olkiombo pride of 3 groups one that for last 3 years, moved to Olare-Orok conservancy, comprising 12 individuals are back to the game reserve occupying the salt lick area along Ntiakitiak river with 8 cubs of 3 years old and 4 lionesses and notch and these 4 sons might take over these pride, they has been seen next to them at distant of 200ms. 4 lionesses and 3 cubs between fig tree camp and Mara intrepid camp with 4 sub-adult cubs a split of olkiombo pride. When cheza, sala and junior took over maji-ya-fisi pride, a group of 3 lionesses and 9 cubs age 2 years followed them to maji-ya fisi, now they have with them 6 cubs of age 9 month and 3 males, a total of 22 members. This makes a total of 42 lions from the original Olkiombo pride put together.

Olive the leopard is roaming with Nkayoni and small cub of 1 year, Pacha is roaming a long smelly crossing of olare orok up to the rhino ridge and maternity marking the bushes and the river bank.

Shingo the femlae cheetah with 6 cubs is lately at the closed aerae between, Talek and Sekenani gates. teh cubs now at 1 year are getting involved in hunting, assist the mother. The cubs are 4 males and 2 females. we are keen observing them to see how they will behave whne time comes to leave their mother.

All 6 of Shingo's cubs walking behind the mother as she stalks some impala recently

Nkaiyoni stalking gazelles in the open; he has really copied his mother's habits

One of Shingos cubs chases zebras

2 of Shinog's cubs double stretch

One of the cubs climbs a tree for a vantage point

Facebook profile

2011-03-12T23:55:00.000-08:00

Kindly note that my blog is now on facebook,
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=hp#!/pages/Masai-Mara-Wildlife-Update/129990187070991
just like the page and you will be getting regular info on what is happening in the Mara through my daily posts.

A Topi kills another Topi

2010-12-27T12:38:00.000-08:00

While on a game drive today in the Masai Mara game reserve, i witnessed something i have never seen in my 18 years of guiding!.

I was with guests, doing a game drive just below lookout hill in the south of the reserve. We had stopped to watch one of the 2 nomadic male lions that moved inot the area recently. While we watched the sleepign lion, i would occasionaly scan the palins to see if i can pick up something else more interesting than ‘just a sleeping lion’

I saw 2 male Topi fighting in a dicastance, and i didnt give them a second look since this is not the ruttung season so i treated this as the normal tease fighting, whihc is common among the antelopes here. I had another look and i chaznegd my mind whne i noted the fight was more serious. I then alerted another guide on radio who was also watching the same lion, but had not seen what was happening with the Topi. When i approached the Topis, i noted one was bleeding badly on the inside of the upper thigh. As i was wondering, if the fight had caused all these, then the other male Topi went for him again and gored him again on the same place, know him down where he proceeded to hit him with the horns until the other Topi laid down unable to get up.

As we watched this, a hyaena came running from down wind, obviously having smelled the blood from teh injured Topi; When he got there the other Topi left. The injured one on seeing the Hyanea, pulled himself together and struggled to his feet and tried to ward off the Hyaena, but the Hyaena just ran in circles to avoid its horns and eventually managed to grab it from teh back an dpulled it down, then proceeded to do what Hyaneas do best; eat the animal while still alive. While this hapened, we did not realized that a flock of vultures was circling above us. They started decending one after the other until there were 60 of them! The Hyaeana was soon joined by 6 others.

The sleepignlion, later woke up when he saw some vultures landing in a distant, and decided to follow them and investigate. He managed to come closer to the carcass before teh Hyaenas teamed up an dsaw him off! My guests then asked me, so who is the king of the jungle here?

This marked an xtraordinary morning for me since i have never seen a Topi kill another; the rest of this of the sighting was not rare since i have seen this before.

The 2 Topi fighting it out

One gores the other badly

The injured Topi struggles to get up

It could not and just lay down flat groaning in pain; A hyaena came along

The Topi tried to run on seeing the Hyaena but was badly injured

Eventually it fell down and the hyaena took charge

A fatal grip

The lone hyaena feed on it and kept fighting off the vultures

Soon he was joined by others

Then there was unease, when a lion appeared on the horizon

The lion could not get too close because the hyaenas were more

They saw the lion off

But some times the lion would give them a fright!

The Mara at best

2010-12-23T12:43:00.000-08:00

The Mara has for thie past month been unusualy quiet, making it regain some wilderness concept. It has been nice going on game drives with few or no vehicles at sightings as the Mara has now been known for.

Most of the big cats in the Mara have got cubs; lions, leopard and cheetah. Three leopards in the central Mara, along the Talek, Olare-Orok and Olkeju-Rongai rivers have got 2 cubs each. Olive finally showed us he cubs about two weeks ago. The cubs are still quiet shy form game drive vehicles. Lorian, the female leopard at Olkeju-rongai has got two cubs as well. I managed to spend a great time with them recently whenthe mother had just brought them out.

Shingo the cheetah with her 6 cubs had gone far east but is now back at Olkiombo area. it is nice to see the cubs doing well an d learning fast how to hunt.

Many lions too have got very small cubs, among them the Ridge pride, where three of the females ahve a total of 12 cubs aged about 3 months. It is quite spectacular to watch them playing around their mothers. The season of plenty, that was the migration season caused most of these cats to mate so as to have their cubs whne food is available.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all the readers followers on this blog A HAPPY SEASON

One of Lorian's cubs come closer to investigate who we were!

The female cheetah hunting. just look at how the cubs are obedient and just stay behind her.

6 of the cubs in the Ridge ridge

A beautiful and quiet Mara

2010-12-07T00:22:00.000-08:00

I would like to apologize to my followers on this blog for having taken long without updating you with the happenings in the Mara. I have been busy with guides training at Koiyaki guiding school in the Mara and doing the gold level assesment for other guides in Naivasha

After a very busy season in the Mara from June to last month, it is now relatively quiet. The park is bereft of the many visitors we had earlier. We have had intermitent rains over the past month and the plains now truning green. This is a very good time to be here!

The main migration from the south left last month for Serengeti, where they are expected to saty untill next June. We still have some remnants in teh Mara, and we think these are just the loita population, just waiting to return to teh Liota plains. These herds can be seen in a concentraion around Musiara Marsh and the northern edge of the reserve, while another sizeable herd is still on the Mara triangle, concentrated on a batch of recently burnt plain towards the escaprment. There is also a big herd of wildebeests moving into the Mara from North Serengeti. They are now at the salt lick and have moved uptowards 4kms junction

The big cats are still active. I have been seeing Olive’s family along the Talek and Olare Orok rivers. WE are yet to see Olive’s young cubs. One was only seen whne it was about two days old and has not been seen again. I believe she is still hiding them in a batch of forest around the junction of the Talek and Olare-Orok rivers. however we have been seeing the older cubs, Pacha, Binti and Nkaiyoni. The cheetah with 6 cubs is still around thought she has moved towarsd sekenani into the closed area.

Lorian, the female leopard which for a long time had disappeared from her teritory on Olkeju-Rongai river, is now back an dhas got 2 liitle cubs thought to be about 1 month. I saw them yesterday for the first time. She had never been seen with the cubs. My firned and colleague Jackson Looseiya, had seen her 2 days ago but not with the cubs. I had to break to him the news of the cubs sighting and we were all excited. After seeing them yesterday, we had a big storm and i have been unable to get there this morning. However, it was nice to see them and i hope they will grow into adulthood safely.

A map of the Mara showing recent big cats sightings

Vultures feeding on a dead Hyaena:

Now if you thought vultures are of no use, you rather changes you perception!

Cheetahs and Elephants at Musiara marsh

A Topi at sunset on Rhino Ridge

This was not an accident scene, but a first aid training we did for Koiyaki Guiding school students:

now you know next time they take you around in teh park that you are in good hands

Romeo and the marsh pride watching a warthog that came to close and tempted them to hunt;

One of Lorians cubs which i saw yesterday for the first time

Lorian watching over her cubs at Olkeju-Rongai yesterday

A big storm started yesterday afternoon; it rained almost the whole night till this morning

It has been a great season

2010-10-23T02:18:00.000-07:00

The mara is now set for a lean season both in terms of visitors population and animals concentration. The wildebeests are now heading back into northern Serengeti after what we considered a great migration season. There two things that happened around teh migration this year; one was the early arrival fo the wildebeests in June, this was unusaul compaerd to the recent years. The other thing was mass drowning. There were so man,y deaed wildebeests this year, that died from drowning. I noted that they tried crossing in some unusual place i.e. upstream from Cul de sac crossing on the Mara river. The bank of the river at this particular spot was so high they could not climb out on the second side, resulting in mass deaths from trampling on each other. It happened mainly when the animals were crossing over to the west side from paradise crossing. The crossings this year too, were great. You can refer to my earlier post for pictures taken at these crossings which marked teh highlight of the migration.

All the lion prides in the Mara have enjoyed a peak feeding season. There were kills almost every day. I followed the marsh pride of lions around musiara, while with the BBC filming crew, for one month and at one point saw four kills from the same position. It all happened around our filming car at night and we were able to catch some action on infrared camera. The Mogoro pride on teh Mara triangle at one time killed 19 wildebeests in a a few days. They had position them sleves at the crossings and would wait for crossing animals which provided them with easy prey.

I have had a great season too with the leopards on the Talek. I spent time with Olive and her two males cubs. I aslo saw the Rhino ridge male and Binti. Olive who has been heavily pregnant is thought to have given birth, but i will confirm full once the cubs have been sighted. There is the cheetah with her 6 young cubs now along the Talek river, i have seen her dangerously walking her tiny cubs past a pride of lions. I hope she manages to bring the cubs up successfully.

Update of sightings in the Mara the past 2 months

This year we saw the highest concentration of wildebeest especially at the marsh

There were many frustrating moments at the crossing waiting for the animals

Big storms were a commons feature in the afternoons, unusual for september

With the BBC filming crew and presenter Jonathan scot after a ballooon ride

The female cheetah of 6, playing with them

Many photographic opportunties

I spent one month with the marsh pride: here White eye with the some of teh pride females

Romeo puts up a show for one of the pride females

Once in a while there were great morning

Many Serval cat sighitngs

The 6 cheetah cubs have been amazing!

Notch and sons ( Photo by JP)

Olive's male cub Pacha

Had bit of night scenes

The current location of the migration

2010-09-13T13:23:00.000-07:00

Over the past one week, the unseasonal rains we got in the Mara stirred alot of movement of the migrating herds of wildebeests and zebra. The herds were mainly heading to teh recently burnt areas with a hope of new grass after the rains. However though this is what normally happens, it takse a botu a week of sufficient rains for the grass to grow to a palatable level.

There were heavy crossing of the wildebeests in the last few days at paradise crossing point with the wildebeests crossing from teh eastern side of the Mara to the Marar triangle. Many wildebeests died at the cul de sac corner when they tried crossing teh river, when crocodiles pounced on teh them a swell as many drowing as the trampled on each other trying to go over a steep bank. I also counted so many bodies floatign downstream from a crossing point int eh forested area upstream from paradise crossing point. There were also Topi and Thomsons gazelles that tried crossing, only to end up drawning or being killed by the crocs. There were also alot of crossing activities on the Talek river, with many animals crossing north from the central plains where there is still a big number.

It is a season of plenty for the Mara predators; the marsh pride which i hazve been watching fro teh past 2 weeks, killed 16 wildebeests in 4 days. On one evening, tehy killed 4 wildebeests a few metres from each other. i did not have to move from my location but just watch ast the lions wastes the poor wildebeests. i anticipate the wildebeests will stay in the Mara a bit more due to teh rains. the crossings are expected to continue into the coming week and beyong.

Map of the Mara showing the current location of the wildebeests and crossing points

The pictures below were taken at these crossing points by Aatish and Aashit Patel who have been my guests and photography students for the past two years. They are now taking better better pictures than me!

Latest report on the migration

2010-09-02T15:11:00.000-07:00

The wildebeest migration is still on in the Masai Mara game reserve. Over the past week, teh herds of migrating animals are concentrated in two areas; one such high concentration is around Musiara marsh and over the northern sidz of Rhino ridge. I can say this is the highest concentration in the area i have seen recently.

The other high concentration is down side along the sand river. Big herds of animals can now bee seen on both sides of the river. Most of the animals here could bee seen a few days ago heading towards the recently burnt areas north of Kuka hills in the Serengeti into the Mara and between Keekorok lodge and Roan hill. The central plains and the Mara triangle also host a concentration though not as high as in the places described above. Many wildebeests have been crossing in the last week in big numbers from the Mara triangle onto paradise plains and onward to the marsh and Bila Shaka areas.

The marsh pride of lions have been killing wildebeests on a daily basis. Two days ago they killed 5 wildebeests! But only ate 2 living the rest to the hyaenas. I was lucky yesterday evening with the BBC filming crew (whom i am driving) when we witnessed a killed within 10 minutes off our arrival at a lion sighting; the stalking, chase, kill... everything on film!

I have been seeing many cheetahs in the Mara recently. There are 3 males roaming the eastern side of the Mara which are seen daily. Their coalition is very strong that i have seen them kill even adult wildebeests. We also have one female with some young cubs near Olkeju-Rongai river.

I have been lucky with leopard sightings too. I have been seeing Olive and her two cubs along the Talek river. There is no better place in the Mara to watch leopards.

Map of the Mara showing the location of the herds

A cheetah with cubs near lookout hill

Leopard drinking at the Talek river

Olive;s cubs now 14 months old playing

One of the dominant male lions from Keekorok pride

The concentration of wildebeests around Musiara marsh

A cheetah held me hostage by sleeping under my vehicle for hours near lookout hill

Wildbeests migration latest report

2010-07-20T22:23:00.000-07:00

Heavy crossings are expected in the Mara the this week due to the latest development in the herds movement. Many of the wildebeests and zebras that crossed the river earlier at paradise and lookout area are now concentrated on the Mara triangle. However, the concentration is currently on the lower side from Maji ya Ndege all the way to Ngiro-Are rangers post, salt lick and Oloololo escarpment. This area is now all wildebeests!

There are currently 3 distinct concentrations of the migrating animals. The highest concentration is on the lower Mara triangle, the second highest is now pushing north through Sand river onto the central plains with most crossing over to the triangle near the south bridge. The third concentration is around Topi plains and Musiara marsh. With these concentrations, we expect a lot of activities at the river these two weeks.

The crossing points at Lookout hill have been so busy the past couple of days, with many animals crossing from east to west. The herds to the north are not so mobile; they have been around here for some times, though occasionally a few have been trickling to the river and crossing over west. If anyone is headed to the Mara, expect to see a crossing over the next two weeks at least. Otherwise the herds on the triangle will start crossing back east once they exhaust the grass there. But this may not be in the next month and a half.

Map of the Mara showing the latest migration status

Herds spread out on the grassland

Wildebeests running to the river to cross

Wildebeests crossing the river late afternoon

wildebeests drinking at a water hole.

One of Notch's sons currently with the Ridge pride

Olive with a young wildebeest she killed at the death crossing on teh Talke river

Nkaiyoni, one of the two young male cubs of Olive, currently 13 months old.

One unlucky Zebra

2010-07-20T14:13:00.000-07:00

On 17th July, while waiting for the wildebeets to cross the Mara river at paradise crossing point, i saw one lioness that emerged from teh bushes along the river to wait for the crossing animals.
she positioned herself well in teh tall grass at the exit of teh crossing. a few zebras and wildebeest crrrossed and she tried to cath one but missed. the remaining animals swam back. after a few minutes, one adult female zebra got inot teh water with her calf to cross gteh river, which she did well.
however, as the zebra and the foal came out of the water, the lioness, whi had been observing their movement stalked, chased and got up with the foal, and was one more live to be extinguised from the Africa plains.

The lion pounced on this less suspecting zebra who was in he company of the mother

closing in

The foal tripped on a log and the lions got advantage

Finaly got it. Poor zebra

Wildebeests migration new status

2010-07-11T14:30:00.000-07:00

Map of the Mara indicating the current location of the wildebeests

Wildebeest at Sunrise

Wildebeests on the horizon at sunset in the Mara

There were great photographic opportunities at sunsets/sunrise

The wildebeest migration has changed a lot. Most of the wildebeest are now on the Mara triangle and some to the north east around Musiara marsh. The Loita migration herds, consisting mainly of zebras arrived at Musiara area two weeks ago. They stayed in that area but for the past one week have been heading south west to paradise crossing point at the Mara river to cross over to the Mara triangle. Once across, these herds have been heading further on towards Enkoikwaatet salt lick. This is where the highest concentration of herds is at the moment.

Over the past two weeks, the sunsets/sunrises have been providing great photographic opportunities. We also had great predator sightings with Olve the leopard taking the opportunity to bring down a couple of young calves. The crocodiles have also been active at crossings.

Active crossing in the Mara

2010-06-30T03:35:00.000-07:00

There was a heavy crossing activity at the paradise crossing point yesterday as herds cross over to the west of the Mara River. These were mainly the herds that came from the south and crossed the Talek river north. They have been moving en masse across Paradise plain to the River and are now crossing over west. Many have been dying from predation by crocodiles and others from trampling in the stampede in the river. The past two days have been full of crossing and crocodile predation activities at both main crossing and cul de sac crossing points. the crossing startedd yesterday at around 12.30pm then stopped and again at both crossing points at around 4pm, and continued till just before dark. The previous day we had some animals crossing in the full moon night.

Wildebeests moving in a zigzag line across the plains

Zebras running across the grasslands towards the river to cross

Wildebeests decending into te river and crossing

Some makes it safely while others perish in the river

A stampede towards the river crossing point

Crocodile feeds on one of the unlucky wildebeests

Update on the wildebeest migration

2010-06-27T12:43:00.000-07:00

Map of the Mara showing current wildebeests concentration location

Wildebeests crossing the Talek river

wildebeests at sunrise this morning

The movement of the wildebeests in the Mara over he past few days has really changed. Many of the animals I reported earlier, have left the central plains and either crossed the river west onto the Mara triangle or north towards Rhino ridge.

The herds split just before crossing the Talek river at different points last week. Some animals crossed near Talek gate and headed north, some into Olare Orok conservancy and other just east of Rhino ridge on the border of the reserve. The remaining herds have been crossing the river near Rekero camp. These ones have been moving along the Mara river towards the main crossing and started crossing today. We had about 3000 animals crossing with the crocodiles killing at the least 3 during the 45 minutes crossing.

Down at lookout hill, the crossings continued at different points, with the animals heading due west after crossing the river. The first herds that crossed the river last week are now heading towards the salt lick.

Predation on the herds was quite significant over the week with the Mara prides swinging into action. We witnessed a few kills in the past few days. The 3 male cheetah coalition of honey’s boys killed a few young wildebeest and at least one adult in the past one week and a half.

We anticipate to the crossing to continue for a few days in the south and the loita herds are now pushing south from Musiara area towards the main crossing. This is where it is likely to be busy over the next weeks.

Wildebeests migration latest update

2010-06-23T00:56:00.000-07:00

Map of the Mara: Note the current location and direction of movement of the herds;

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. I was amazed at the distance they cover in the night. the migration this year has been interetsing in that it occured early and that the main migration from the south preceeded that of teh Loita herds which traditionlay will be in teh Mara ahead of their Serengeti cousins.

The herds which had gathered near the Talek gate have been crossing north of the river. 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 pride of lions have suddenly waken up to a feast. They have been making kills almost daily at the river crossing on the Talek, at times making four kills a day.

The rest of the herds that proceeded towards the lower side of the Talke were crossing by yesterday 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 crossing however have been somehow easy for the animals in many places as the water is lower. There was a drama at one point when the wildebeests crossed next to some hippos. One male came out and charged at the crossing animals, targeting one young calf and chased it onto the dry ground for about fifty metres, but the calf managed to get away.

Migration progress

2010-06-19T13:34:00.000-07:00

Map of the Mara showing progress of the migration

Just 2 days after my last update on the migration, the wildebeest have covered a huge area. The split herds have kept pushing ahead in the directions indicated earlier.

The herds that went due north have already got to the Talek river, which is a distance of 15 kilometers from the location of my reporting 2 days ago. They started crossing the river today in big number. Although the Talek river is very low and almost dry in some places, it was remarkable to see the wildebeest crossing in a rush, raising a lot of dust. The Olkiombo pride of lions have positioned themselves along this crossing point and killed 4 wildebeests from yesterday.

The herds that have taken the direction of lookout hill could be at the Mara river in another 2 days. Although there is plenty of grass in their way, they have just kept going through with only brief feeding stops.

Wildebeest migration update

2010-06-17T13:40:00.000-07:00

Map of Masai Mara showing current concentraion locations

Male wildebeests are at the end of the rutting season, so it is common to see males chasing each other or engaging in brief fights

The migration of wildebeests has started in the Masai Mara game reserve. They crossed the common border of Kenya/Tanzania from Northern Serengeti into Masai Mara, about 4 days ago. The wildebeests came through their traditional route west of Kuka hills though some herds come around the eastern side of the hills. They crossed the sand river which runs almost along the border, onto the Mara around Roan hill where they were seen the first day streaming in long lines heading north.

Over the past two days the migration progression has been quite fast, with wildebeest covering quite some distance per day. Today I found 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 big herds concentrated on the recently burnt patch south of the south Mara Bridge towards Naima Lumbwa hills. These are expected to join the main herds into the Mara one they have mowed down al the short grass on the burnt area.

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 eh 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. 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.

Beautiful Masai Mara

2010-05-08T01:34:00.000-07:00

The Mara cannot be better than it is at the moment. with very low tourist occupancies in the lodges, the park has regained its wilderness concept again. You can go on game drive and enjoy a sighitng all to yourself for hours. though most people thinkt ehere is little to see at the moment, on contrary there is plenyt of game though concentrated only certain areas in the park.
the rains have just stopped though we gte occassional drizzles. the grass has grown very tall on most plains in the park. In the past couple of weeks, i have had interetsing sightings an di am posting here some of the pictures i took on game drives

This lion with his brother fought with 17 Hyaenas over a buffalo carcass for 2 hours. The lions lost the fight

This herd of Elephants made my morning one day last week when they came streaming down to the Mara river to drink and then went to a nearby swamp to wallow. It was really great. It was nice wathcing one male elephant chase a buffalo out of a mud hole.

I witneesed these two male buffaloes fight the whole afternoon, and got their horns locked such that they could not free themselves. i left them at 7pm an dcame to the same location at 6.30am the next day and found them still going for each other. they managed to free them selves after one of them broke his horns

An afternoon with Olive's cubs

2010-03-26T10:43:00.000-07:00

I went out this morning to look for Olive’s cubs after I was called by another guide over the radio that they have been seen. However when I go there, they had disappeared into the bushes. Olive was also seen about half a kilometre away. After looking around for a whole one hour I went back to camp.

There was a brief storm over lunch, but did not last long. I set out at 4pm again to look for the cubs. I have been trying to have a good observation on the cubs to be able to identify them positively.

I finally got up with them just as they emerged form the bushes at around 5pm. They were very relaxed and gave me an amble time to have a god look at them for a whole 2 hours. I managed to get a few shots (not great ones) for identifying them. I can now confidently say that I can identify the cubs.

After this, I thought I should contact my colleague Jackson Looseyia, who has been following these cubs all along as well, so that we name them, now that I can tell the two. One of the cubs is bold enough and quite relaxed. This one I named Nkaiyoni (Maasai for boy) and the other cub, which is a bit shy I called him Paja (Swahili for twin),

We both agreed with Jackson that these will remain their names now that we can identify them. and Hurray…… that’s their names

Paja: Full face and left side

Nkaiyoni: Full face and left side

Nkaiyoni: Right side, note 3 spots over hte wiskers line

Paja: Right side, note onnly two spots over hte wiskers

The Mara is green again

2010-03-20T04:17:00.000-07:00

The Mara is quiet and beautiful at the moment. With few tourists in most of the camps and less vehicles in the park, it is the place to be for those who love wilderness concepts.

After the recent rains which wreaked havoc in many places in the country, the Mara is now green with the grass growing tall fast especially on the central plains. On the lower areas and marshes, it is still wet though we have not had rain for a couple of weeks now.

Most of the general plains game have moved to drier areas, mainly high grounds. This is normally to avoid fungal infection s in their hooves and also to avoid being preyed upon by the predators. This also makes life difficult for lions, cheetah and leopards to hunt. This is a time when we see lions going up termite mounts or tree to gain vantage points to scan around for prey. Cheetahs too are seen doing the same, and even though they are not good climbers, they can bee seen going up trees to look around.

A herd of Elephants going through the long grass

A lion scanning the plains from a termite mount

A cheetah runs after an Impala yesterday (But was taken by Hyaenas)

A moment with Gorillas

2010-02-26T06:21:00.000-08:00

NO Gorillas in the Mara! these are shots taken in Volcanoes park In Rwanda

After a very busy season, I took a break from the Mara cats to track the Gorillas and chimps in Rwanda. It was a great experience seeing the Gorillas, just a few feet from me; awesome creatures. The chimps too, though quite a challenge sometimes to track were also a big plus for the trip.

I have been away from Masai Mara the past two weeks and have just returned to find all the cats in their usual places. Olive with her two male cubs is still around Olkiombo airstrip area. She killed and impala two days ago. Rhino ridge male who is the father of the cubs has never been far away from the same location as well since he ousted ‘Big boy’ from this territory.

The three Honey’s boys have been on Topi plains for the past two weeks. They mated with the female who has also been roaming the same area with her single sub adult cub.

Olkiombo pride came to a big feast two days ago whey the made two kills along the Talek river all the current 25 members came together; it was a great sight!

We still have some rain but not too wet and so can still move around with ease though the grass is now a challenge to spotting the cats!

Masai Mara Big Cats Update

2010-01-31T10:10:00.000-08:00

Honey's boys two days ago; still together and even stronger

One of the ridge pride female scouting for prey from a termite mount

One of the males from Notch's gang fedding on hippo they killed yesterday

The weather in the Mara now is clear hot days and cold morning. The average temperatures we have been recording for the past one week are about 13-14ºC in the morning and about 35 ºC in the afternoon.

When the temperature is this high in the day, most big cats restrict their movements and often go into the bushes or under trees to take shade. This makes game viewing only at best in the morning and late afternoons. Besides this, the grass is now growing very fast and is already tall in some places, a condition which is forcing most animals to congregate in certain areas only.

I have been following some of the big cats this past week. These were, the Olkiombo, paradise, and Ridge prides. The ridge pride killed an ostrich 5 days ago near the Mara river just opposite Serena pump house on the eastern side of the river. At the same time, Olkiombo pride killed two Buffaloes along the Talek river. Two days later two of the males from the same pride killed a Hippo along Olare-Orok river. Yesterday the ridge pride with over ten small cubs with the males killed another hippo near paradise crossing point.

These unusual hunts have been necessitated by the absence of medium sized prey, i.e. Zebras and wildebeests. The Mara lions normally have to adapt very fast to the change food availability.

A morning with the leopards

2010-01-23T00:37:00.000-08:00

Binti now looking found today looking for mate

Kali two days ago on the south side of Talek river

Olive killing a young warthog this morning

The Mara is now very green and still wet in most places. Driving around requires one to be cautious enough. The grass is now grown tall very fast due to the rains.
After a short break and being away from the Mara, I just come back a couple of days ago and was really longing to catch up with my cats again.
I was fortunate on arrival to find Kali who had been away from his birth area for long. He has grown big and I am worried he will soon leave this area and not come back again. This is because the His step dad, the Rhino ridge male has now taken over big boy’s territory completely. For the first weeks after he came into the area, we thought big boy will see him off, but now it is many months after and this confirms to us that Big boy has finally let go his grip on his territory.

This morning, I went out on a game drive looking for Olive with the cubs. After about an hour with no success, I stopped the vehicle just to listen to the sounds of the bush and that is when I picked up an alarm call from some guinea fowls. I went to check and found Binti. Another guide from Rekero had been trailing her since early morning. She is obviously looking for the male as she could not stop calling and she went around sniffing on the trail of the male who was in the area yesterday. This has now confirmed to us that she has not been pregnant as thought by some guides. If she pairs with the male now, we should be expecting the cubs by mid May

After spending sometimes with Binti, I headed back to camp and was just called by a fellow guide that he has found Olive and she was hunting. I dashed there just when she got a young warthog. She had a rough time with the mother but managed to ward her off. In no time, a hyaena appeared on the scene, forcing her to hastily take the kill up a nearby tree, which was really a comfortable one, but at least kept its prey safe from the hyaena. I am still combing the area to see the cubs.

Happy New Year

2010-01-02T03:30:00.000-08:00

The 3 brothers on a termite mount before the rains

One of Olive's cubs up in a tree this morning

The trio having a drink after a hunt recently

The Ridge pride: males drinking while females feed on hippo in water

Happy new year to all:

It is another year, everyone making new resolutions for the year and all with high hopes for better things ahead. Here in the Mara we are no exception; we do hope the year will be better than the last especially on climate. The past year has seen the Mara river drop to lowest level ever, and this made last year’s wildebeest crossings just like a joke, because the animals could easily walk across. We therefore missed the usual action that goes with such activity. That was last year. Now we do hope that this year will be different climate-wise. We have just started the year with lost of rain over the Mara and many other places in Kenya, which is actually good news. In fact just as I write this, at 1400hrs Kenyan time, it is raining, and has been going on since 1.00am

The lions have to move around and follow the herds which are now congregating on drier higher grounds. The past two days we have seen the Olkiombo pride split into two by the Talek river which has suddenly gone up. They can’t now cross easily to either side. The ridge pride has now moved towards the southern side of Rhino ridge, away from the Mara river area where they have been for sometimes. It was nice seeing them recently feeding on hippo in the water. The sub-adults are still moving around on their own. The last two days, the almost had a confrontation with Olkiombo pride when they ventured into their territory.

Olive is now near Olkiombo airstrip with her two cubs. We found her this morning near Olare-Orok crossing, and now with eh two rivers full, they will have to stay around longer. The three cheetah brothers (Honey’s boys) are still around between the two rivers. They killed a young warthog yesterday after a dramatic hunt;

Masai Mara Latest

2009-12-26T06:07:00.000-08:00

Olive stacking a herd of Implala

Heavy downpours in the afternoons, now common

Streams flood, but still fun driving through

The long awaited rains finally arrived two days before Christmas. Most parts of the country received a lot of rains over the past four days. It was so heavy in some places that it resulted in lose of human lives.

The rains would not have come at a better time. The Mara needed more rain to enable th grass re-grow after heavy grazing over the last five months by both wild and domestic animals in some areas. The Maasai people, who have this year been affected more than any other year by the drought, can now afford to smile, because their remaining cattle will survive now that there is food.

Although the rain is welcomed, it is now going to limit us from moving into certain areas fro game viewing. The little streams which we have been just crossing through with ease have now changed into rivers;

On the Big Cats fronts; Olive is still at the Olare-Orok river, around the smelly crossing. She is still with her two cubs. There were false reports earlier that the cubs had been killed, but she still has them. Another leopard upstream, near double crossing point, has been there for the last one week is looking expectant and might bring forth new cubs soon. Binti was seen last week just below the junction of the Talek and Olare-Orok rivers. We had a rare show on 21st December, when Kali confronted the Rhino ridge male (the father of Olive’s small cubs). He spooked and chased him for about 300 metres before the male turned around only to find it is just a small boy, at which point he turn back and chased him. But before long, Kali turned back and charged at him again but he was given a fright and had to run fro his live. I can see him becoming a very strong male in future.

The Ridge pride is still near the Mara River with Notch and his gang still accompanying them. Paradise pride is at their usual place at paradise plains near the wildebeests crossing

Back from break

2009-12-15T11:37:00.000-08:00

Topi & Flowers, a common sight now in the reserve

Fire ball lily; One of the many flower species that can be seen now

I would like to apologize to my followers on this blog for the long lapse in updating them on the happenings in the Mara. I have been on leave, hence the long lapse in my update here. I have just come back to the Mara to a very welcoming carpet of short green grass on the plains, mainly the recently overgrazed areas. With the short rains we have started receiving, there is now plenty flowers growing on the plains and the on the edges of the bushes. it is very beautiful especially if you are taking a picture of a subject which is right in teh middle of the flowers.

The rivers Talek and Olare-Orok which had almost dried out are now flowing again. Hopefully the rains we have will last a lot longer.

All our big cats can be seen around. Olive i was told had been lost for 3 weeks, but only two days after arriving in teh Mara on my first game drive, i found her with Impala kill up a tree near the smelly crossing. The Ridge pride can now be found along the Mara river while Olkiombo pride along the Talek towards the gate. other lion prides are still in their places and ineterstingly many of them now have got cubs. Nodge's gang are with the ridge pride. Shakira is now in the north.

I will keep yopu updated as i gather more information on game drives aroudn the reserve.

The Mara cats update

2009-10-28T11:28:00.001-07:00

Shakira & Daughters on paradise plains earlier

One of the males in Notch's gang

One of Olive's cubs

Olive & one of her cubs

The Mara cats are having their easy meals this month before the last of the easy prey leaves. Many skeletons still lie across the plains as an evident of a big feast that was in the last season. From now on lion prides will be seen highly mobile in search for food especially the ones with cubs. Some prides go to an extend of splitting up because there is barely enough for them all at one go.
Over the past couple of weeks, the ridge pride have been roaming between around the southern base of Rhino ridge, Mara Intrepids and the Mara river area. There is one female with 3 month old cubs and one with 2 month old. They made very successful if not easy kills in the past months when the wildebeest were all over their territory.

Olive, our female leopard star and her 3 month old cubs are still around the junction of the Talek and Olare-Orok rivers. They have lately been moving between this place and the little forest between Mara Intrepids and Explorer camps.
Binti, her daughter is just downstream from where Olive is. They also took the opportunity when the wildebeest are streaming down south through their territories. We saw few young wildebeests’ carcasses in trees along the river.

Shakira, who for the past two years has been our main female cheetah star, is still around and still with her 3 daughters. she was seen the last two days at the border of Mara-serengeti on the south Mara Triangle. The many gazelle fawns born since the past 3 weeks have been providing her with some easy meals. The 3 brothers who are Honey’s cubs continue to roam far and wide from Musiara to paradise and south to Burrungat plains. There is another cheetah between Talek and Olkiombo airstrip with three very little cubs. This is not alama which we reported earlier. In general cheetah sightings have been the best this season.

Mara Big cats update

2009-09-30T04:18:00.000-07:00

An inquisitive cheetah cub

Olive with one of the cubs this morning

A Male lion from paradise pride

All lion prides in our game viewing territory are still present in their home ranges. There were interesting sightings of these cats in the past week, hunting wildebeest, zebra and warthogs all to the excitement of our guests. One lioness from the Ridge pride with her cubs has been at maternity area for the past week, and has been very nice seeing her little cubs play in late afternoon. There are other lionesses with cubs as well. These are from Paradise, Olkiombo and Musiara prides. You simply can’t see time passing here! When watching these lions.

Leopard sighting have been very good if not better than the previous weeks. The most exciting moment was when Olive and her two cubs showed up occasionally. She has made a few kills in the past couple of weeks with some being witnessed by our guests. She killed an impala two days ago at the Olare-Orok crossing and dragged it into a bush before going to fetch her cubs. When coming with the cubs, it was nice to see her carrying one occasionally in her mouth so as to increase her walking pace to get to the kill. She gave us the sighting of the week, with her cubs coming out in the morning and late afternoon and playing endlessly. Binti, her older daughter was seen a few times near the rocky bend on the Talek river, a place which has been her area of abode for long.

Cheetah sightings were also good and a few successful hunting were also witnessed. Shakira has now moved up from lookout hill to paradise plain where she has been for over a week. The three brothers are also in the same location. There was drama yesterday, when the three brothers engaged her and her three daughters in some fight that lasted almost an hour before the boys decided to leave the poor ladies alone. The sight of the seven cheetahs was quite unusual and our guests were treated to this rare show.

There is a cheetah with three small cubs (not alama, the one mentioned in our past report) which is found to the east of Explorer, where she has been hunting over the past week. There is also one pregnant female in the location which we think could give birth any time.

The Big Cats This Week

2009-09-13T07:39:00.000-07:00

Herds of wildebeests moving towards the river. These currently forms bulk of prey for our cats

Binti killing an Impala fawn

Alama's 3 cubs

Olive watching her cubs drinking in the Talek river

Some of the Marsh pride females and cubs at Bila shaka

We had a great week now ending, in terms of big cats sightings.
Topping the list of the big cats which we saw over the week, was Olive, the female leopard with her two cubs on the Talek yesterday morning. She had disappeared briefly but emerged again on Friday with her cubs in good shape. The two cubs whose sexes we have not yet established are in good health and have given us over the past two days, great sightings playing on the sand in the Talek just before where Olare-Orok joints it. This particular area is cover by a thick bush which gives her and the cubs a good hiding cover. Today she moved the cubs in the morning further upstream towards Mara Intrepids camp and settle in the small forest on the south side of the river.

Binti is still in her mother’s territory and was seen a few times over the past week. I saw her kill a young Impala on 7/9/09 in the morning. I had been following an Impala with a young one who were running along the edge of the bushes in the area where I had heard earlier that Binti was seen. While concentrating on the Impala, I did not know that she had seen them, she came out of the bush and chased the two and managed to catch up with the fawn and killed it 30 feet from my vehicle. The action was too fast for me to take any picture of the chase.

At the Helicopter crossing on 9/9/09 Kali was held hostage in a tree the whole day when lions who chased him up there killed a zebra nearby therefore just settling near the same tree. The poor boy stayed there until night fall. When I visited the area, the next morning he was down. He may have come down early in the morning when the lions moved just a little away.

There is a female cheetah named Alama by the guides, due to a prominent black spot on her left cheek, has 3 small cubs (roughly 2- 2.5 months old). This is the female that lost her cubs earlier in the year when buffalos killed them. she can be found east of Olkiombo area.
Shakira is still in the southern part of the reserve, near lookout hill. Still doing very well with her cubs. It is great watching her with her daughters hunting.

We saw all the lions prides in our game viewing zone over the week. The marsh pride is still at Bila shaka and has been having great time hunting now that there is a concentration of wildebeest it the area. The paradise pride with a number of females having small cubs is now near the main wildebeests crossing.
There was a big drama on the morning of the 7/9/09 when notch and one of his sons fought and chased off one of the Olkiombo pride males near Rekero camp.

More to come from the Mara

Wildebeest migration status

2009-09-05T13:35:00.000-07:00

Map of Masai Mara showing location of the wildebeest herds

The wildebeest migration is still on in the Mara. Most of the animals are now spread out on the Mara triangle plains. There are very patchy concentrations in the north of the reserve around Musiara gate and Topi plains. It is still dry and hot during the days and most temporary pools have dried up, making the animals converge at watering holes or streams to drink in during the day. The higher concentration on Mara triangle is mainly due to some light showers that have occasionally been going through area.

This area is still teeming with grass and much of the plains was not burnt earlier as it was in other places, thereby sparing the grass for the hungry herbivores for the dry period. The most dominant species of grass here is mostly the red oat grass which is an increaser. The more it is fed upon, the more it regenerates soon after the rains and therefore overgrazing here is beneficial to the maintenance of this species.
There were crossing activities at the river, but only a handful animals crossing in either direction at the main points near lookout hill and paradise crossing points. The predation on the crossing herds by the crocodiles has gone down due the low level of water which is making it difficult for the crocodiles to approach the crossing animals unnoticed.

Olive with cub

2009-08-27T08:27:00.001-07:00

Olive carrying her cub: Photo Courtesy of Evelyne Meijssen

I had promised to post here a picture of Olive with her cub. The above picture was taken at the Talek river on 15/8/09 courtesy of Mara Intrepids guest Evelyne Meijssen

Olive ws een mating with a male a few days ago as per my previous post. this new development has casued us confused because we have since seen her with cubs yet we thoguht for moment maybe they were dead. Her story since she last year has been a very unusal one after she managed to live with her two litters. it took me and a friend, Federico, a professional photgrapher and Mara resident, quite sometimes to figure out what wa s going on. we first thought the young cub Kali belonged to Ayah.

I will keep updating you on Olive as we try to understand this interesting behaviour.

Olive's riddle

2009-08-23T04:10:00.000-07:00

Olive mating with Rhino Ridge male

Olive and the male

Olive, the Mara female leopard is now mating, a few days after she is seen with small cubs on the Talek river. She was first seen on 27th July carrying a small cub at the Olare-Orok river crossing. The cubs were not seen after that, but Olive kept being seen around that location for a while. She was again seen on 15th August carrying a cub on the Talek River Bank where she proceeded to hide it in a hole under a tree on the bank of the river. After a few minutes she went back and brought a second cub. She then continued to be seen in the area until 19th August when she moved upstream of Olare-Orok river.

On the morning of the 21st August, she was seen at the double crossing area mating with Rhino ridge male. There was also an unidentified female in the vicinity. In the evening when I went there, the two were mating, sometimes in the open. This was my second time in my 17 years of guiding to see mating leopards clearly. When it was getting late they moved to the adjacent stream, where they got into a bush. At this time another female leopard emerged from the bush and Olive ran away. It was getting dark and I could not tell what happened again. However they were at it again the following day.

This morning I saw them at the smelly crossing heading to the location of the cubs. We now wonder whether the cubs are indeed still alive and if they are, what is going to happen when the male sees them.
The territory where the cubs are belongs to another big male leopard called Big Boy. I believe, when Olive disappeared briefly earlier in the year, she must have mated and conceived from the Rhino ridge male because when she final appeared, she was coming from the direction where this male normally stays. And if this is the case, the current development could be a bid to lure him closer to the cubs so that he protects them. while this is happening, a guide reported seeing the cubsOtherwise I remain to observe what will happen.

Masai Mara past week

2009-08-23T04:02:00.000-07:00

Current wildebeest concentration

Paradise pride lionees carrying cub

Lion from ridge pride with Zebra kill

Wildebeest crossing at the Cul de sac

The wildebeest migration is still ongoing in the Mara. The concentration of the migrating herds is now almost spread out across the whole of the Mara triangle, with quite some big herds on paradise plains as well. The Serengeti herds in the past week kept streaming in from the south with the leading herds pushing further north and others west wards into the Mara triangle. These kept crossing the River by look out hill over the week. The recently burnt grasslands on the Mara triangle seems to have and still is an attraction, as more herds are still heading there.

There have a heavy crossing activity at the paradise crossing point over the past week as herds cross over to the west of the Mara River. These were the herds that were crossing east from the Mara triangle last week. Now they are going back. The crossing activity however is not exiting as usual since the amount of water in the river is very low, which actually makes the crossing just like a walk across. The animals are having it easy due to the low water level. The situation in the river is now unfavourable to the crocodiles who are really struggling to make any kill. They cannot stalk anything in water since they can be seen approaching. Deep water usually helps them drown their prey easily.

The lions are having an easy time now with the availability of prey almost on daily basis. A few lion pride s have small cubs at the moment. We witnessed great hunts and kills in the past two weeks.

Cheetahs were also seen over the same period. Shakira has moved south of Talek river and even lately has been beyond Olkeju-Rongai. Her three cubs are now quite active and have been witnessed to make their own kill. The three brothers (honey’s sons) have lately been roaming between Musiara marsh and the Talek river.

The wildebeests are back

2009-08-01T23:34:00.000-07:00

Wildebeest crossing the river below lookout hill

The crossing at paradise point

Map of the Mara showing the location of the migration

The wildebeest have made another dramatic come back. Over the last few days, the concentration in the south of the reserve swelled to an enormous number. Most of the herds as per our previous update have made a complete cycle in the past two weeks. They moved from the eastern part of the river, crossed west onto the Mara Triangle, then south into northern Serengeti and east from there before re-entering the Mara, crossing the Sand river south of look out hill. Though some of the animals are entering the Mara near Naima-Lumbwa hill, the reentry is not through the same point as they did in July when they first came. Looking down into northern Serengeti, just beyond the border, one can see thousands of animals on the plains heading north into the Mara.

Everything now on the migration front is just like last month when the wildebeest first got into the Mara. I can only say of the present activities, the migration has started again. There is a higher concentration around lookout hill and east to the central plains. The westward bound herds have spread out on the south and north of lookout hill again and many animals have started crossing the Mara River west. For the past three days, our guests have witnessed many animals crossing below lookout hill. The animals are crossing over into the Mara triangle just as before and others heading north from lookout hill, with the first ones now around Olkeju-Rongai and lower Burrungat plains. The western concentration is around Oldoinyo Olkineji and south to the border of Serengeti, while others are heading to the escarpment.

Most of the herds here have settled temporarily on the short grass from a previous burning. The unseasoned rains have played a crucial role in the sprouting of the grass. The crossing points in the north around paradise plains have been teeming with activities, with most animals crossing back and forth. The water in the river is quite shallow now, hence easy crossing by the animals. We are glad it is happening all over again.

Olive Has New litter

2009-07-31T23:14:00.000-07:00

Olive, the female leopard star of the Big Cat Live program has a new litter. She was spotted on the 27th July 2009 at Olare-Orok crossing by Mara Intrepids guides, Tappen & Simon with their guests in the morning carrying a cub. She headed to the junction of the Talek and Olare-Orok rivers where there is some thick riverine forest. She has been seen in the location very often from that day. It is not clear yet if she has another cub. We are monitoring her closely to establish this.

This will be her 3rd litter in a row after the twins, Ayah and Binti, Kali and now the new litter. It will be of great interest to observe how they will all interact. The interaction of Kali and his sisters has been an unusual behaviour among leopards and will be good to observe how they will all behave with an additional litter.

I will post a picture of her with cub here as soon as i get it from the guests who took it that morning.

Change in the migration pattern

2009-07-24T13:15:00.000-07:00

The migration took a dramatic change at the end of the past week. All the excitement at the crossing died out when most of the herds from the eastern side of the Mara River crossed west. Once on the Mara triangle (The western side of the park) most herds headed south into northern Serengeti. This was a quick exit, since they were expected to stay in the Mara till November as is always the case. Our observation shows that the change in the rain pattern and the burning of the grass in northern Serengeti played a role in this change of events. Driving along the border shows that the herds have settled on the Serengeti side on recently burnt plains. There is usually a massive burning of the grass in July in Northern Serengeti. When the short rains come in August, these plains flourish with lush nutritious grass thereby attracting many herbivores including the migrating herds.

Most of the central Mara is now almost empty except for a high concentration of an isolated herd to the north around between Rhino ridge and Musiara Marsh and to the south just below look out hill. All is not lost because the movement of the herds inside Serengeti shows they are bound for the Mara again. Most of them once inside the Serengeti are heading east along the burn grounds, feeding as they move and entering the Mara again just south of lookout hill.

There have been sporadic crossings below lookout hill and at paradise crossing point. These crossings however, are not as dramatic as it gets sometimes, since the water is very low in the river and the animals crosses easily. This can be attributed to the failure of the short rains at this time.

From experience, as was the case in 1998 and 2005, when wildebeests disappeared only to return shortly, the herds will be on their way into the Mara again. However the change in the rain patterns and the confusion brought by sporadic burning of the grass are expected to cause some changes in the concentration and duration of stay in the Mara.

Big Cats
All the lion prides in our game viewing areas can be seen and have been giving our guests good sightings including daylight hunts. There are six prides of lions within our game viewing reach from Mara Intrepids/Explorer. These are; lookout pride, Olkeju-Rongai pride, Ridge pride, Paradise pride, Marsh pride and Olkiombo pride. With all these prides in our game viewing zone, you can never have better lion sightings.

Leopards’ sightings have been good the past week. There was however an unfortunate incident where a female leopard was killed by another due to territorial fights south of the Talek river.

Cheetah sightings have been very good. We had a record of seeing 12 cheetahs in a day recently. With the concentration of plain game going up, we will be having superb sightings the coming weeks.

2009-07-15T13:54:00.000-07:00

The dead leopard in an earlier picture taken 20/2/2008

( Note her lower lip and missing upper left canine)

Jackson, Daniel (A guest) and myself with the dead cat

Yesterday morning, was a very sad moment fro the guides in the central Mara region. This is because, one of the key leopards in the area, was found dead, having being killed by another leopard, highly suspected to be olive. The overlap in their territories has resulted in these leopards living in close proximity to each other.

When I heard of the bad news in the morning, I called my friend and colleague on BCL, Jackson Looseyia, who without hesitation, rushed to the scene and I found him there with guides from other camps too. We also allowed guests to come and see as we explained what happened. She died just east of the Mar-Talek junction.

Olive, her daughter Binti and son Kali still roam the Talek river up and down between Mtamaiyo lugga and the Mara-Talek junction. This area saw a good concentration of small herbivores before the wildebeest arrived recently, and that provided a good food resource for the leopards in the area. We attribute the conflict to the overlap in territories and competition for food.

The dead leopard is the mother of one that has been named as Lorian, and is almost a permanent resident of Olkeju-Rongai area. The common feature on her helped us with identity when we found her dead.

Masai Mara this week

2009-07-08T11:08:00.000-07:00

Migration location in the Mara

Wildebeest at sunrise

Great Sunsets over the week

wildebeest at Sunrise

The eagle and leopard kill

This past few days has seen a lot happen in Masai Mara on the migration front. From my update last week, I mentioned that we anticipated a slow progress of the herds heading north due to the amount of grass in the way. However, what happened the last 5 days shows that nature acts beyond our predictions, such that there will always be something going behind our backs when we least expect.

The wildebeest and quite a few zebras headed due north from their location last week and arrived just south of Talek gate in two days. From here, the herds headed west to settle on the lower Burrungat plains, before splitting into two groups. Some animals crossed the Talek river north and others have been streaming west to the Mara river. For the last 2 days, a few hundred animals have crossed over to the Mara triangle. They have been crossing in two places north of look out hill.
There was also an exciting crossing at the lower Olkeju-Rongai when most animals crossed south towards look out hill. The river is almost dry, but seeing these animals rush through the river bed was exciting.

The week has been one of great photographic opportunity, with great sunset and sunrises the past three days. My favourite was just watching the sun set/rise with the wildebeest on the horizon. On a different sighting this week, I saw a leopard with kill up one of the balanites trees. She had a Thomson’s gazelle. When she came down to go to the water hole to drink, a daring bateleur eagle landed on the tree and proceeded to the carcass, where it tried frantically to feed on it. It was unfortunate as it had no where to stand well so as to feed.

Other great sightings over the week were those of lions, cheetah (Shakira) with cubs and other leopards.

HAPPY WEEK:

Breaking news! Wildebeest migration in Masai Mara

2009-07-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

Contrary to what many people thought, the wildebeests have now entered the Mara! Many believed that with the amount of grass on the migration route, the wildebeest might not come to the Mara after all. On a fact finding mission round the Mara this morning, I confirmed that the annual natural event is now taking place here as usual. Though this is still in its’ initial stages, every indication shows that the stage is set for the world’s most fascinating wildlife spectacle. round the entry points along the Mara and Serengeti border.

A herd of almost 30,000 wildebeest have crossed the border near sand river gate. They could be seen this morning taking their traditional route towards Roan hill. Some have already moved all the way up towards Talek gate. The plains now between Mara Sarova, Roan Hill and Talek gate is teeming with the first herds that have moved into the area. The first animals arrived about 6 days ago.

Their movement however is slower because of the amount of grass in their way. Since May we have continued having intermittent rains which has made the plains covered in long green grass. This is expected to slow the migration movement north. Looking onto the Serengeti from the sand river, one can see isolated herds of zebra and wildebeest heading north though reluctantly. We anticipate this concentration to build as the herds push up north into the Mara.

Speaking to the northern Serengeti national park patrol personnel, they informed me that the rest of migrating herds are in the acacia woodlands between Seronera area and the international border.

The Loita population has also moved into the Mara. They came in about a week ago. A herd of about 4,000 zebras and wildebeest can be seen around Musiara gate in the north and others just south east of the Talek gate, and this consist mainly of Zebras. Their concentration however is still low but we expect a build up in the coming weeks.

The Mara predators in the areas where the herds are concentrated have suddenly woken up to the season of plenty again. The marsh pride lions have now established themselves along Bila Shaka stream where the wildebeest are coming for a drink. Since the entry of the migrating herds into the area, these lions have always had something to eat.

MASAI MARA JUNE UPDATE

2009-06-14T03:26:00.000-07:00

Weather:
We have just come to the end of the rains in the Mara and the plains have now transformed into a sea of grass. The resident animals, mainly herbivores are congregated into groups on the sweet veldts. The grass in these areas is short and highly palatable as opposed to the long and overgrown grass on most of the plains in the reserve. It only the larger animals i.e. Elephants, giraffes, Buffaloes that roam the reserve freely and are not affected by the tall grass.

The rains that pounded the Mara late May and early this month was unusual in that we normally do not get any rain at this time of the year. Our main rain season is mid-March through April. The situation now is back to normal. With the rains over, though still wet in marshes and depressions.

The weather is now as usual, with clear skies most of the days with only a few cloudy days with sporadic drizzle in isolated areas. Earlier in the month, the afternoon skies were characterised by heavy thunderstorms that sometimes spread into the nights.
As July approaches, we can already feel the temperature change. The last few days have been cold in the mornings with temperatures reading 13ºC. But this changes within the first 1-2 hours after sunrise and would reach 25-28ºC by noon.

Wildlife:
All the lion prides in our game viewing territory are still around. However, they have been highly mobile the last few weeks, with some prides splitting up into small groups. This is due to the scarcity of food. With most of the animals concentrated only in certain areas, they find it difficult to hunt as these areas could be in other lions’ territory and will be chased back if they try to hunt in these places. Even then, the lions in the areas where the animals are currently found are not having it easy, since these animals stays in close group forming an ‘’anti predator device’’ by coming together so they have more eyes to watch. This minimises the chances of the predators getting close. It is a very difficult time for our lions. Seeing lions on termite mounts or up in trees, is not unusual at the moment, as they try to get vantage point.

Olkeju-Rongai pride patrols the area between Talek and Olkeju-Rongai rivers. The place has a small concentration of game and this is what they are hunting occasionally. To the north of the Talek river, the Olkiombo pride now rules the all that section upto Ntiakitiak river. Here, there is also a small concentration of game and the cats have been making successful hunts regularly.
The ridge pride roams between the Talek, Olare-Orok, the Mara river and Topi plains just above Rhino ridge. This pride however, has split up and can now be found in 3 groups. Though occasionally comes together. There is a particular female with two sub adult cubs that has stayed alone fro a long time and can be found to the west of the Talek Olare-Orok Rivers.
Cheetahs are seen quite regularly. Shakira, the start in the BBC’s Big Cat Live program, has settled on Topi plains for the last couple of weeks. Though would occasionally head north-west upto Bila Shaka stream. The area in between the two places is currently teeming with game, and most of these are gazelles which forms her main prey. Her cubs are doing very well.
There is another cheetah with two very small cubs just to the east of Mara Explorer. We discovered her on 13/6/09 and we believe she had just moved her cubs out for the first time. The tall grass is really making her uneasy as the cubs keeps getting lost and she has to call constantly. It is a very difficult task for her brining up the cubs at this time when visibility is poor and prey scarce. We hope she will be able to rear these cubs successfully. We get to see other cheetahs too at this time. Sometimes up in tree, which is quite unusual

Olive the leopard, showed up about a week ago after disappearing for a month. She has not cubs yet as was thought by some guides. She was reported mating with Big boy across the foot bridge at Mara Intrepids on 10/6/09. Her daughter Binti was seen regularly along the Talek River just west of Mara Intrepids. Kali has been a frequent visitor in our camp for the last one month, coming for the resident Dik Diks. While Big Boy has been patrolling the river just across from Mara Intrepids, and has been heard roaring or seen by guests from their tents.
We have lost Ayah for sometime now and she is believed to be in the lower Talek River near its junction with the Mara.

VULTURES POISONING IN THE MARA

2009-05-29T08:43:00.000-07:00

Due the failure of sufficient rain fall in the region and beyond, in the past couple of months, apparently there has been inadequate pasture for the large herds of cattle, that forms the backbone of the economy of the Maasai people.
Traditionally, the Maasai people are known for their nomadic pastoral way of living, moving their treasured herds of cattle from one place to the other in search of pasture.

The Mara has lately witnessed the highest concentration of cattle seen in the recent past. Herds of cattle from as far as Narok, Magadi, Loita, Ololulung’a areas etc. have moved to the Mara region over the past month in search of pasture, putting a lot of pressure on the animals that live outside the park and along the boundary, and in some areas even inside the park.

Due to law that prohibit cattle grazing in the park, these cattle are taken by the owners into the park at night to graze and leave in the morning. This brought them in direct contact with lions that would kill some cattle in the night when the herders cannot see or fight them off. Human, wildlife conflict has gone up due to this.

Since there is a stiff penalty if one is found killing wildlife, some people have resorted to bait poisoning to kill the predators, because this way, no one can immediately be held responsible and is difficult to prove.

This is detrimental to the future of the Mara, if some organisms are eliminated in these practices, there soon will be a missing link in the ecological cycle, which will then lead to other more serious natural imbalances. Wildlife conservationists and ecologists, together with the park authorities needs to tackle this before it is late.

There was a bait poisoning incident at Ololaimutiak area of Masai Mara game reserve on the 25th June 2009, targeted at lions in revenge to killing of domestic cows by lions the previous days. This irresponsible act resulted in the death of 35 vultures, 1 lion a few hyaenas and other unknown organisms. The culprit was arrested following a swift operation carried out through a combined effort by the NCC and KWS rangers.

When questioned, he agreed that he did it in revenge for losing some cows to lions recently. He said he used some Dawa(chemical) on a carcass of one of his cows killed by lions earlier. He said the chemical is normally used in parts of Tanzania to kill lions (I guess this is on Loliondo game controlled area, which is the area just across the international border from the east of the Mara) He lives along the border on the Kenyan side.

It is not clear however, what chemical was used and to what extend it is being used in the said area. This was the first massive deliberate poisoning I have known in the Mara.
The community around the Mara have lived in harmony with the animals for as long as their history. It appears now that human/wildlife conflict has taken a different dimension; suddenly some people are waking up and turning on the animals. The root cause of this conflict must be addressed by all the stake holders and the community at large. The people MUST be continually educated on the importance of wildlife.

Paul Kirui

Masai Mara

GAME VIEWING AT BEST IN THE MARA

2009-05-01T10:38:00.000-07:00

The anticipated long rains in the Mara never came as usual. The regular light showers we got was nothing near what we have been experiencing in the past. Even then the little we got has so far transformed the plains into a carpet of green in the recently burnt areas attracting a concentration of animals.

However, in other areas it is now a sea of tall grass. This grass is expected to grow even further in the next couple of months before the migrating wildebeests and zebra mows it down again.

The Mara at this time has regained its wilderness concept due to the absence of many tourist. You can actually drive for Kilometres and it is just yourself. For those who knows the Mara, this is unusual when you compare with the migration season scenario.

Please share with me my game experience over the last few days, in the attached pictures.

Beautiful lilies Topi on alert Big boy goign into the bush

Lions ponder next move Serval cat now seen regularly

Paul Kirui

Masai Mara

APRIL UPDATE

2009-04-13T22:52:00.000-07:00

Game viewing in the Mara cannot be better at this time of the year. The expected long rains have taken long except for sporadic showers across the plains. The last few days has seen a reasonable amount this over most of the areas in the Mara.

Much of the country as of now is still dry with everybody anticipating the usual rains.
The month of April is normally characterized by overcast days and dark afternoon skies followed by heavy down pours that can last for hours.

However this year, it has been clear most of the days. Because of this, the concentration of animals is still good. Normally, most animals would have left to the areas bordering the park where the grass is short, because of security from the predators and also due to the attraction of the nutritious new shoots of grass.

Lion sighting is still very good. We are currently following the ridge, Olkiombo and the pump house prides. Cheetahs are also seen regularly. The three brothers have been roaming the plains north and south of Rhino ridge. Shakira too is in the same areas and occasionally meets the brothers.

By Paul Kirui
Masai Mara

Cheetahs kill zebra

2009-03-27T09:32:00.000-07:00

MASAI MARA WILDLIFE UPDATE

27 March 2009

The three brothers kills a Zebra

Today at about 5pm, I was following the three male cheetahs who are Honey’s cubs. They had been lying under a balanite tree almost the whole day due to the heat.

At around that particular time, one of the brothers noticed some zebras walking in a distance. He begun to stalk, and with the aid of the long grass, he was able to get very close to a good striking distance for a cheetah. His brothers who were left behind quickly read his body language and also moved closer.

The lead male made a dash for a sub adult zebra and gave chase. Since he was reasonably close he got up with it. He went straight for the throat avoiding vicious kicks from the zebra. Soon his brothers joined and surprisingly they went on to tear the rear side of the zebra while the other male kept trying to choke it on the throat. It took about 14 minutes for the zebra to die, all the while the two cheetah were enjoying a meal.

This is quite unusual for cheetah, since they are known to kill their prey before eating. However, the cheetahs have come to learn to feed quickly while in this area due to the presence of a large pack of hyaenas and a 16 member strong pride of lions who can easily displace the cheetahs from their kill.

This was the third zebra in weeks killed by the brothers. It seems they have developed a liking for them. We just hope they will be careful enough, otherwise an approach from the wrong angle can earn one a deathly kick.

These three have now graduated to going for bigger prey, which is easier for them since they are staying together.

Paul Kirui

Masai Mara Game Reserve

2009-03-23T05:09:00.001-07:00

wildebeests with calves

Olkiombo prides female & sub-adults

WILDLIFE UPDATE-02

23-Mar-09

March Game Report from Masai Mara:

Overview
The months of February and March have been the best in terms of game viewing in the Mara. Though it has been dry from the beginning of the year, the intermittent rains we have got has given the grounds enough water to produce the much needed grass which has in turn attracted many herbivores.

The Mara would be almost empty at this time traditionally; but it seems times are changing going by what we are currently witnessing.
There is a high concentration of wildebeests and zebras to the north of the reserve around Musiara gate, Rhino ridge and paradise plains. These herds are part of the local migration commonly referred to as the Loita migration. These herds normally heads to the Loita plains at the end of the migration in November, when the main migrating herds are going back to the Serengeti.

Their re-entry into the reserve is usually around June, just weeks before the main migrants from the south enter the Mara. The movement of this easterly migration into the Mara at that time is an indication that the main migration from the south is just about to enter the Mara.

The sight of the mini migration type of animals concentration in the north Mara has brought life to the would be otherwise empty plains.
With these herds, are accompanying predators, lions, cheetah leopard etc.

The wildebeests gives birth at the end of February and early march in their traditional calving grounds in the Loita, east of Masai Mara and southern Serengeti. However due to the above situation, we witnessed many births in the Mara this year, and that is unusual.
This presented a lot of hazards to the young wildebeest from the Mara’s predators, mainly Hyaena and cheetah.

The inconsistent rain has made the herds settle here due to availability of grass.
The change in the land use in their traditional calving grounds, coupled with the climatic changes has contributed to this change of habit.
The big question now is; could we be the beginning of a change in their migration pattern?

Big cats:
The big cats in the Mara have been seen throughout the season. Lions have been seen in their territories as usual with no changes in the habits especially for the northern prides due to the availability of food. Otherwise in other parts especially central and south Mara, where there are not many herbivores, the prides in these areas have now adopted a lean season strategy.
Leopards are not affected much since they are adaptable to a variety of food. They have been seen throughout the season, with the usual family of Olive, Binti, Kali and Ayah seen regularly along the Talek river. They have however, extended their territory beyond Mara Explorer camp upstream. The riverine forest between Mara Intrepids/Explorer camps make it difficult to follow them throughout, but it is good because they don’t stay there too long unless they have a kill. The family of Mr. Shah, who were staying at Mara Intrepids recently had the opportunity of seeing these leopard family and several others. They were able to count 12 leopard sighting over their one week stay, beating their own earlier record of 10. This is not unusual on this side of the Mara. Here with permission, I quote their testimonial:

‘’I cannot believe that we beat our leopard sightings this time round, really did not expect that. It was fantastic. Kali is a real character, although he is too confident with cars…and when he was scratching the door on Dixon’s driver side and peering up was quite scary and too close for comfort. I’m glad he did not jump on our car bonnet. A few of our highlights were: seeing the hippo run and jump into the river; leopard (kali I think) jumping out of the bush right next to us while we were taking pictures of dik dik; seeing koori bustards (incorrect spelling); olive and kali walking/running together etc.’’ Sonal Shah

Cheetahs have also been seen regularly. Shakira, the Big Cat Live program star has been roaming the plains between Musiara, Paradise and Olkiombo area. She has managed to keep the remaining three cubs safe and they are growing healthy. The three brothers (The late Honey’s cubs) have also been in the same area as Shakira, and occasionally been harassing her just as seen during the Big Cat Live in October last year.
The female that had 7 cubs in January is now remaining with two. She has been moving between Olare-Orok Conservancy and Olkiombo.

2009-03-22T01:39:00.000-07:00

NEW YEAR WILDLIFE UPDATE

Wildlife Update.

Welcome to our New Year wildlife update!

Big Cats:
Cheetahs: Cheetahs in the Mara have been seen through out the beginning of the year. However, there have been a lot of misfortunes on the cheetah front. One female that had three cubs near Mara Explorer was killed by Olkiombo pride of lions together with two of the cubs on 4th January. The surviving cub then wandered alone vulnerably in the same lion territory until we rescued it on the 7th of January. The cub only 3 months old could have just died as it was still dependent on the mother. We took the cub to the camp where we made it a nice cage a small playing ground. We are now rearing the cub which has come to be known by the staff at Mara Intrepids as ‘Namunyak’ in Maasai meaning a blessed one. It has adapted well to the new environment and we hope to release it once we believe is able to survive in the wild. This may not be soon since cheetahs take long before going on their own. They take upto 18 months being with mother as they acquire hunting and survival skills before they go on their own.
The other cheetahs continue to be seen but it seems it has not been a good season for the cheetah with cubs. One other cheetah with cubs survived a lion attack near Musiara gate later in the month. We watched in horror as a single lioness went after her with the cubs. Luckily she lost her somewhere in the croton bushes and the cheetah managed to get out of danger with her cubs.

Lions: Lion prides in our game viewing areas are still intact and active. This is because of the availability of food in their territories. The lion prides in the Mara normally split up when food gets scarce and this is usually from March till the arrival of the first migrating herds.

Leopards: Olive and her cubs, Ayah, Binti and Kali are still in their usual area. They can be found along the Talek river next to Mara Intrepids camp. However, lately, they have extended their range to the forest between Mara Intrepids and Explorer. This sometimes makes their sighting a bit difficult since the place has a thick cover. The good thing is that they do not stay too long in this new place before going back to where they are usual found down stream from the camp. There have been very successful hunts by these cats in the past month which made our leopard sighting exciting. Our guests even witnessed some of the hunts while on game drive.