Camping Kenya: Kenya camping:On Track with the great migration

It’s now jolly in the famous Maasai Mara as the Migration begins. As usual, the pioneers of the great migration – the Zebras, marked this gyratory exodus more than two weeks ago and their step into the Mara River marked the official instigate of the undoubted endless annual pilgrim.

These is however, just but the start of the most dramatic wildlife pilgrim on earth and the early start means there is a lot to be anticipated with more dramatic episodes unfolding as the migration continues.

Last week, we documented the migratory herds as they separated into two divergent groups - one in north-east Serengeti and northern Loliondo region and the other one in the Western Corridor/Grumeti area. Traditionally, the western heard has always had their first lunge into the Mara – but its not a guarantee.

This year’s migration would be the most historical, dramatic, exciting and sometimes interestingly frustrating due to the effects of adversely changed weather patterns both in Mara and Serengeti. For instance; apart from the early stop of the rains Serengeti, the un-seasonal weather of the last month has caused the wildebeest to continue moving in a rather abnormal patterns. Whilst some wildebeest are, as we would normally expect at this time of year, in the Western Corridor area, other herds can be found as far north as Bologonja up near the Mara River.

In just a few days after crossing the Sand River, the wildebeest together with Zebras and other ungulates moved on to spread over the Keekorok region towards the Mara Bridge – surprisingly covering an estimated 25 kilometers.

From a keen observation, the herds are likely to speed up their march towards Mara River and Ol Keju Ronkai River in search of waterholes, as most of the waterholes in the Mara are dry. This also means the river crossing may also begin sooner than earlier anticipated.

Lions are still being sighted in good numbers and even the prides are beginning to split into smaller groups. The arrival of the migration means food will be easy to find and therefore, staying as a large pride may make it difficult to hunt as it is easy to be spotted by the prey.

More leopards have been sighted along the Talek and Olare Orok River and around Ol Kiombo area while just recently, there are three cheetah brothers that are easily spotted on top of the Rhino Ridge.

Between the Topi plains and the Mara intrepids camp you will find the young female cheetah that loves climbing on vehicles to enhance chances of spotting prey while hunting – she looks new in this part of Mara.

Till next time … Chao!