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Masai Mara (Kichwa Tembo) (9/22/2005)
Following the heavy rains in the entire Masai Mara the wildebeests and Zebras are so confused that the animals do not know which direction to follow. A few thousand wildebeests had left the Mara and ended South East via the Sand River towards Serengeti an area near Klien's Camp in Tanzania.
Its absolutely amazing about what is happening now, one of its kind in the previous years. There are massive herds some 10 kms South of Kichwa an area that has been burnt recently and with rains falling, there is a very fresh juicy grass that the animals are attracted to. Also along the Olololo escarpment there are hundreds of thousands ending towards the Olololo gate and Kichwa plains.
Across the Mara River there are hundreds of thousands covering the area right from the pradise meta and posee plains and around the look hill towards Keekorok the whole area is full of wildebeests and Zebras.On the 19th September, 2005 we had a massive river crossing at Serena crossing point about 27 kms South of Kichwa into the greater Mara.
In general the migration is still at large in the Masai Mara and river crossings are happening any day depending on the weather patterns which determines the direction where the animals will go.
Regards,
Joseph Masibo
CC Africa's Kichwa Tembo
Masai Mara (Kichwa Tembo) (9/6/2005)
Since our last report on the migration last month, the animals decided to take a break on river crossings - a result of the weather patterns. It started raining in patterns like it would rain in the eastern Mara, then next day in the west it continued for about five days then stopped, so the animals stayed where they were because there was enough water and green grass after the short rains.
The large herds of wildebeests are concentrated on the southeastern plains of Masai Mara in an area near Keekorok lodge some 70kms from Kichwa Tembo.
Those that had crossed the Mara River into the Mara Triangle are concentrated on the southwestern part of the Masai Mara triangle. On the 2nd September, 2005 at about 8.00 a.m. in the morning we went to check the Mara bridge crossing points and we were astonished by the numerous herds of both wildebeest and Zebras massing the banks of the Mara river desperate to cross into the Triangle. We waited from 9.00 a.m. till 2.30 p.m. when the first group of about three thousand five hundred dominated by wildebeests crossed with no casualty. The second group started at 3.30 p.m. about same number but this time very few Zebras joined in the crossing, again no casualties. The Hippos were forced to move out of the way to avoid the wrath of the wildebeest hooves diving from the high banks of the river straight into the water. The third and fourth were just small numbers about one thousand eight hundred. There were quite a good number of Zebras but still dominated by wildebeests and all no casualties. At least about nine thousand crossed on this day but we still have hundreds of thousands waiting to cross.
On the 3rd September, 2005 it didn't happen because the weather was overcast, cloudy and cold. That was witnessed by Lucas, Benson, Benedict, David, Daniel with guests by the name creative escape led by Anne Marie and David Moore and myself.
Today on the 4th at about 1.00 p.m over four thousand wildebeest and a few Zebras crossed into the Triangle witnessed by guests at Bateleur Camp with ranger Kampuni.
Regards,
Joseph Masibo
CC Africa's Kichwa Tembo
Masai Mara (Kichwa Tembo) (8/23/2005)
The migration is going on pretty well in the Masai Mara ecosystem. A huge number of the wildebeest population has arrived in the Mara, but the larger herds are still in the Eastern or greater Mara - numbering over one million
wildebeests and over four hundred thousand zebras. Unlike the previous years, the migration pattern has changed.
This has been precipitated by the rains which is confusing the herds hence the keep criss crossing the Mara river at several points especially near the Mara bridge providing very spectacular sights.
An average of 5,000 to 10,000 animals is crossing daily. The crocodiles at the crossing points are merely watching the herds cross the Mara river with bulging tummies. The cats are also killing with impunity.
Now all the animals are arriving in the greater Mara and head straight for the crossings. Those arriving via the Sand River near the Mara Bridge go straight to the crossing at the Mara Bridge. And those arriving via the Sand River near Keekorok, cover long distances through the posse and Mehta plains cross the Talek river and cave their way through the paradise plains on to the Serena crossing points into the Mara triangle.
The question is, will they cross back into the greater Mara? Let's wait and see. But for the migration lovers, the migration is at its peak. Right now we can promise you can see the crossing every single day. The guests staying with us at Kichwa Tembo by the name Ray Topp group of 38 and Diana and Juliana also known as [DJ and JJ] staying with us 7 and 17 days respectively have seen the crossing every single day since they arrived. Ray Topp and their group saw their first crossing the first day they arrived on 14/8/05.
Over 10,000 wildebeest and zebras crossed at 3pm at Serena crossing point. Yesterday the 17th august, 2005, animals crossed about 5 or 6 casualties. Some drowned and were caught by crocodiles.
Warmest Regards,
Joseph Masibo
CC Africa's Kichwa Tembo
Masai Mara (Kichwa Tembo) (8/9/2005)
This time the migration pattern is a bit different. Most of the animals are arriving via the Sand River side and are heading straight to the crossing point. Crossings are happening as soon as animals arrive in the Mara and they are crossing from the greater Mara into the Mara triangle, between Mara Serena and The Mara bridge.
On 8th August, we witnessed over 5,000 animals crossing from the Mara River into the Mara triangle. This took place over half an hour and this time there was no casualty. Today (9th August) at mid day, over 7,000 animals within a period of about 45 minutes. Meanwhile, there are hundreds of thousands on the other side of the river waiting to cross and it appears as if this will continue into the next few weeks.
Joseph Masibo
CC Africa's Kichwa Tembo
Masai Mara (Kichwa Tembo) (7/24/2005)
For migration lovers, we at Kichwa proudly announce the annual migration that has arrived in a big way.
Today being the 24th July, 2005 around 100,000 animals that include Wildebeest and Zebras checked in to the Eastern Mara via the Sandriver. This is the area between the Mara bridge and Keekorok covered with hundreds of thousands of animals. It's great!
We will keep you updated.
Regards,
Joseph Masibo
CC Africa's Kichwa Tembo
Masai Mara (Kichwa Tembo) (7/16/2005)
Jambo,
It has been raining a lot all over and we thought the migratory animals have decided to remain in the Serengeti. Wow! They are back but still in bits. It is the same phenomenon; zebras leading, and wildebeests to follow.
Thousands of zebra have swarmed the south-eastern part of the Mara Game Reserve at Sand River through to areas near Keekorok Lodge. Stanley Mpakany drove there yesterday and came back with the good news. We have been doing game drives on the Greater Mara near the Musiara Marsh where already the Loita population of zebra and wildebeests swarm. We witnessed about five thousand animals crossing the Mara River today. Crocodiles did not attempt to make kills but just watching animals cross the river was fantastic. Tens of zebras, topi and wildebeests participated.
Lions have started celebrating again with the "Out of Africa" pride now making kills almost everyday. By the way, the two big males and one female are no more. Three stronger males from Serengeti patrolled and adding peace to the territory until one time in March, they reached the "Out of Africa" area. They found one of "Out of Africa" males and killed him. After four days, they found the other one and killed him too. So they have taken over the territory. That is nature - sad for those who knew the males but actually good for the population health. Otherwise those old males would one time mate with their daughters, hence inbreeding. The one female died of old age. Their eight cubs are now going on to 17 months of age and doing very well indeed. They were feeding on a zebra kill this morning. Likewise, the Marsh Pride keep healthy with a variety of kills. Four lionesses at Bila Shaka in the Musiara Swamp gave birth to eleven cubs three months ago and they are the highlight on game across the river these days. Sometimes they hide, though.
We saw the male black rhino yesterday morning. Mother and baby rhinos roam the open plains between Kichwa Tembo and Little Governor's these days. We see them almost everyday.
Philip Keter
CC Africa's Kichwa Tembo
Western Serengeti (Grumeti River Camp) (7/11/2005)
The big heards are still on the Northern side of Grumeti river, further more many are at masira plains. They are not showing any sign of moving towards the Mara as yet. They have been here for at least three weeks now, most of them are very relaxed enjoying the easy grazing around the camp. There is lots of "in & out" to the river searching for water & these movements make an easy meal for lions, like yesterday we saw four kills in a row & this was within three hours. Even our three-legged lion managed to kill two wildbeests with the interval of two hours.
There is another heard also marching this side but they seem to be stuck at Musabi plains, about 45kms towards the South.
Scott Tineja
CC Africa's Grumeti River Camp
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