Migration news: Wildebeest still in the Masai Mara

The migration is still moving between the Serengeti and Masai Mara. In the last few days the Serengeti herds have been moving north into the Mara at Look Out Hill. The lower seasonal rains have meant the wildebeest and zebra have had to work harder to find good grazing. The Mara and Talek Rivers are flowing shallower than usual making crossing quite easy for the herds.

There are herds spread across the Masai Mara and northern Serengeti so any camp in this region will provide a good safari location.

Mara River crossing underway

The Masai Mara is overflowing with millions wildebeest and zebra. The entire area from Paradise Plain, Look Out Hill and the Mara Triangle is teeming with game and predators. The Mara River is flowing well, but shallow at most of the crossing points. The crocodiles have been active, but finding it harder to disguise their attack.

The next few weeks should be excellent in the Masai Mara with constant river crossings as the herds criss-cross the Mara and Talek River to find grazing. Any camps in the Mara or adjoining private concessions are a good locations to be based as the herds are spread across the central, western and northern part of the reserve. But, as always, if you can be based close to the Mara River, you will be ideally placed to see the crossings without travelling too far.

Migration News: Wildebeest in Masai Mara and Serengeti

The migrating herds have been moving back and forth between the Masai Mara and the Serengeti. In July the wildebeest and zebra are normally located in the north western Masai Mara around the Mara River. But this July they arrived a bit later than in 2008 and were seen moving back into the Serengeti on a regular basis. They seemed to be going back into the Serengeti to graze on the new grass shoots that sprang up after the Serengeti rangers had back-burnt the long grass of close to the northern border with Kenya. At times the Masai Mara has been quite deserted of any wildebeest. Having said that, there has been regular crossings and the normal crocodile feeding frenzy that marks the highlight of the migration calandar.

As usual, best area to be based in August is in the north western Masai Mara around the Talek or Mara Rivers. The wildebeest may move off for a few days, but invariably come back to this area for the better grazing and water. The northern Serengeti camps are also reporting excellent sightings of wildlife.

Safari guest numbers are about the same as 2008, down on previous years. Last year the Kenyan elections affected the tourist numbers and in 2009 it is the global economy.