With the onset of the migration season in the game reserves of East Africa, this migration watch will bring you the latest reports from on the ground in the game reserves of Kenya and Tanzania. If you’re crazy about wildlife and want to know where the animals have been spotted, check back regularly…

Masai Mara - 13th August 2008

Large numbers of wildebeest are gathering on the west bank of the Mara river primed for a large crossing. At lunchtime on 31st July an estimated 2000 crossed the river. This year's river crossings have brought the usual blend of suspense, drama and a few surprises - On the 18 th July there was an extremely rare sighting of a large male hippo eating a young wildebeest at the Paradise crossing point. This behaviour is very unusual as hippos are herbivores. Three black rhinos, a cow, her calf and a male were seen on the Paradise Plains on 23rd July, plus silver-backed jackals with pups. Serval cats have been seen more frequently in recent weeks, and on the 22nd July a female with two kittens were seen crossing a dry river bed. 

The Marsh Lion Pride consisting of three males and six females, now has a total of nine cubs of varying ages. They have been seen feeding off zebra and wildebeest. Four females and two male lion all from the pride were frequently seen on the fringes of the reserve where they were hunting wildebeest every other day. Two young lionesses have four tiny cubs (2 - 3 weeks old) hidden in long grass outside of the Marsh and should be introduced into the pride soon. The Ridge Pride also has young members, around three months old and the lionesses are often seen towards the wildebeest river-crossing sites - a prime spot for hunting as the migration arrives. The five young males ousted from the Marsh pride and the old male have been occupying the ridges overlooking the plains and have been seen hunting zebra and wildebeest.

Leopard sightings have also been extraordinary with two handsome adults seen regularly around the Marsh and on the fringes of the forest, often languishing in the branches of a favourite old dead tree.  A male and female have also been seen mating, despite the disturbances of a herd of buffalo grazing nearby and a troop of foraging baboons.

Masai Mara - 31st July 2008

In the last week the herds of wildebeest and zebra continued in their traditional migratory routes into the Mara, crossing the Mara river and massing on the recently burnt section on the south Mara triangle. More herds have crossed over from the Serengeti and these have spread out on the central plains.  There were many wildebeest and zebra crossing at the Paradise Point, where there has been a lot of action with crossings in both directions. The crocodiles never cease taking the opportunity, with many animals snapped by the ever-hungry reptiles during the crossings.

The lion prides in migration areas are now hunting daily, so much so that even full-bellied lions are hunting just for the fun of it! This has heightened the excitement during the game drives. There were also good leopard sightings over the past week. A young female can still be found at Olkeju-Rongai area. In the past two days, she has been seen actively hunting in the middle of the day.

Masai Mara - 24th July 2008

Wildebeest and Zebras have been crossing the Mara River in their hoards, then settling on Burrungat plains across the river from Mara Intrepids. The main crossing at Paradise Point has been quiet but is expected to liven up over the next couple of weeks.

The river water is still low so the wildebeest have an easy crossing – apart from the snapping crocodiles. The herds have settled down along the lower side of the Mara River and the Loita herds have joined the Serengeti herds south of the Mara Triangle.

Wildebeest and Zebras are munching on the Serengeti’s new grass, shooting through the recently burnt areas, and the lion prides, leopards and cheetahs south of Talek are moving in for the kill on the herbivores.

The hyena clan on Burrungat plains is preying on the new herds and vultures are a common sight in the lower Mara section.  Both are cleaning up the carcasses left by predators.

Masai Mara - 17th July 2008

Light showers have drawn herds from the northern Serengeti to the central Mara. The Mara River, north of the south Mara bridge, has seen a large number of animals crossing through the low water. Once in the Mara, the herds have split into two, with one group heading west and crossing the Mara River, and the other heading north into Meta and towards Burrungat plains, just south of the Mara intrepids.

Lion sightings have been high, though there are few lion cubs. Many of the females are expected to give birth over the next few months. Olkiombo Pride has settled under a mile away from the airstrip and the Ridge Pride is very active with plenty of sightings. The concentration of herds is still lower in their territory. More cheetahs and leopards have also been sighted.

Masai Mara - 10th July 2008

The concentration of herds has increased rapidly and many animals are crossing the Sand River into the Mara. Light showers in the south have drawn the herds from the northern Serengeti who have briefly settled on the burnt areas, but there has been little rainfall to produce new grass shoots.

Once in the Mara, the herds take two distinct directions – northwards towards the Central and Burrungat plains and westwards towards the Mara River. Hundreds have reached Look Out Hill, with a few crossing west of the Mara River to a recently burnt patch of grassland.

The Loita herds are now spreading south of Mara Triangle to recently burnt grass and have been crossing westwards from Paradise Plains into the Mara conservancy. There’s a high ratio of zebras to wildebeest.

Masai Mara - 3rd July 2008

The wildebeest have entered the Mara from the south. A herd of almost 2000 wildebeest have crossed the border near Sand River gate and similar numbers are also crossing at a place known to the guides as Roots Crossing. They could be seen taking a route towards Roan Hill and some towards the central Mara plains on the western side of the hill. Wildebeest movement is slower because of the long grass, which is dry and expected to slow the migration north.

Looking onto the Serengeti from Sand River, big isolated herds of zebra and wildebeest are reluctantly heading north, either side of Naima-Lumbwa Hill. This recently burnt area has attracted the animals, though little fresh grass has grown yet. The Loita wildebeests have settled around the burnt area on the Mara triangle, opposite Look Out Hill. Their numbers are low but expected to grow in the coming weeks.

Many lion prides have been spotted over the past week and leopard sightings have been great, with one seen making a kill. This is expected to increase as the herds settle in the area.

Masai Mara - 14th June 2008

Zebra and wildebeest are moving into the Masai Mara reserve from nearby Loita. This mini-migration first reported last week, is however not the main migration from the Serengeti. If you’re near Narok, you’ll see herds of wildebeest heading into the park from as far as the Maji Moto area.

South of the Mara triangle , the rains and burnt grasslands have spurred movement as the herbivores look for fresh shoots. Most of the Mara plains are overgrown with red-oat grass, which the herbivores find tough on their digestive systems and explains why they have been rushing through the reserve.

There’s also been plenty of activity at Paradise crossing, where herds from around Musiara Gate are moving across Paradise Plain to the Mara River. Water-levels are still low in the river, making crossings easier but this hasn’t deterred the crocodiles from getting their meal!

Zebra Spot - 30th May 2008

Thousands of Zebra have unexpectedly arrived early in huge numbers, covering the Musiara Marsh, Paradise and Topi Plains. These Zebra are the residents of an area east of the Masai Mara and migrate into the Reserve every year. Their prompt mini-migration may be due to competition for grazing with Masai cattle

The Zebra have been filing down towards the Mara River in large herds and have been crossing the water on an almost daily basis. The resident crocodiles seem delighted, as their annual feeding frenzy has arrived a few months early.

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