Friday, June 18, 2010

Annual Migration Highlight has started!


The wildebeest and zebra have entered the Masai Mara in large numbers over the past few days! This is earlier than expected and earlier than "normal".
This is the start of the highlight of the annual migration season: The migration from the Serengeti into the Masai Mara and the Mara River crossing. The wildebeest have not yet started crossing the Mara River, but safari guides are expecting this to happen in the next few days. With the lack of water in the western and southern Masai Mara, the wildebeest will quickly move north and cross the Mara River. The crocodiles are waiting!

There are still large herds in the Serengeti and there has been some rain.
The main herds have been entering the Masai Mara from the Sand River and moving north and west.

The best safari camps for the migration at this time are:
Keekorok Lodge: The migration is all around this lodge at the moment and rangers have a hard job clearing the airstrip for each landing and take off. This is a large camp and not for those looking for an exclusive intimate safari experience.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Migration Update: Central and Eastern Serengeti


This season has seen unusual rain patterns. Rains have continued on through May, which is very unusual. This has meant that the wildebeest remained in the southern Serengeti (around Ndutu) until later than usual. As can be seen by the migration map, they are now spread out across a wide area of the Serengeti. Some small herds have crossed the Grumeti River (western Serengeti), other have gone directly north toward Lobo, while the large bulk of the wildebeest and zebra are in the central Serengeti (Seronera).

The general movement tends to be west through June (towards Grumeti) and then north into the Masai Mara (July/August), but with the good rains the wildebeest can find grazing across a much wider area this season.

The Grumeti River crossing has not yet kicked off properly, but safari guides are expecting this to happen in the coming week(s).