Reporting Date: 16.09.2012

. This is now a  frequent occurrence in the northern parts of the Serengeti as a result of the numerous wildebeests that die on the plains. Vultures would be seen fighting each other so as to get to the best feeding positions on a carcass, they kick and bite each other and chase the weak ones away. They  see a carcass from a distance then descend on it one by one. Theirs is a free meal as they do not hunt but wait till they come across a dead animal.

Reporting Date: 15.9.2012

All the five vehicle left on full day game drive into the mara game reserve. Two left to chance the migration at Talek river and the other three with rangers Alex, Daniel, and ferdinand went to the Mara river. On the way, the three as usual came along interesting things and the highlight of the day was this copulating lions that lay by the road side.

With plenty of food (migration) at this time of the year the prides all over are in good health and copulation is common. These act takes about eleven seconds and is crowned by a male applaud accompanied with teeth exposure.

Reporting Date: 14.09.2012

Watching out for zebras.

Most of the time animals grazing and browsing together would rely on each other for vigilance against predation. We found this happening amongst a small group of zebras which refused to leave the company of Giraffes that were feeding on the edge of some bushlands. When the herd of giraffes moved, they also moved alongside them, being dwarfed by these tall animals.

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Reporting Date: 10th september 2012

Reporting Date:  10.09.2012
 

On a full-day game drive ranger John and his guests were having alot fun spending time watching the different species of wild animals they came across while on their way to the mara river. On arrival they saw lots of hippos and crocs relaxing in the water but most interesting was when they came across a huge herds of wildebeest and zebra. The group got bigger and bigger and John knew that there would be a crossing. After a while the gnus decided to take it to the next level and cross. It took a while before they all made it through which made it very exciting to watch.

Reporting Date: 8th September 2012

These mega-herbivores came visiting the camp again as they have always done in the previous days. This is now a normal occurrence in the camp. This time it was the females with calves of various ages that walked through the camp in the morning hours. They were not in a hurry to leave and the guests in the camp had a good view of these animals closer to their tents. one female gently pushed  her calf forward with her trunk so as to keep it in view.

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Reporting Date:  07.09.2012
 

While on game drive in the camps private conservancy Elephants are often seen foraging on the near-by hills and the open plains. There are plenty of natural water holes for the animals to drink from with the most visited being right infront of the camp. Elephants are frequent visitors because of the natural salt present near the water hole. They mostly come down in the afternoon and can spend up to 1hour digging and licking salt. 

Salt is important for wild animals because it helps in bone formation.

Reporting Date:  05.09.2012
 

Peter, Japheth and their guests were on a full-day game-drive with an aim of getting down to mara river. When they got to mara river they saw two fairly large herds of gnus grazing about 100 metres from the river bank. After patiently waiting for a long time the gnus headed for the river bank but kept going back and forth before deciding whether it was worth-it to cross the river. After alot of back and forth they finally made up their mind and took the plunge into the river and crossed to the other side.

Crossings can happen at anytime of the day depending on the size of the group and their determination to cross.

Reporting Date: 5th september 2012

We are used to seeing elephants near the camp, but this day it was the turn for the buffaloes which were close by in a large group. They got attracted to some green pastures around the camp.The group was a breeding herd which  consisted mainly of younger bulls, females and young. At night we herd them making some noise as if fighting off some predators but in the morning they concentrated on grazing  but became very alert as  we approached.

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Reporting Date:  03.09.2012

Over the last one week the mara game reserve has received a good amount of rainfall making the wildebeest move round in circles following the rain. The mega herds of gnus need alot of grass to sustain them and can travel for miles just to get to the fresh grass plains. While moving from one area to the other they can be seen walking in a long single line. This helps them scan the grassy plains better and escape being ambushed by lions.