May 2014 - Wildebeest migration updates

This is only a small fore front of the migration. They are currently in the area of the confluence of the Bologanja and Mara Rivers in a place we call Makotano. There are calves with them which is how we know its the migration and the rut has already started. Usually the rut starts around end of June but they are getting going early this year. There are also quite a few zebras with them. We believe the main body is still to come. Kind Regards Mark - Lemala Kuria Hills

The first of the crossings have started today, a herd of a few hundred Zebra crossed the Mara River this morning and the wildebeest are slowly catching up, lots of action expected over the next few weeks / months. very little rain in the Mara this year so there will certainly not be enough grass on the Kenyan side so we are expecting crossings back and forth this year! Thanks Mark - Lemala Kuria Hills

James is at Kuria Hills and says the wildebeest "advant guarde" has arrived in the north +- 30km south of Kuria Hills Northern Serengeti, just south of the Mara River.

Good Morning The front part of the migration spotted between 3 NM NE of Fort Ikoma, all the way to about 5 NM E of Sasakwa. As one big herd.... Really Amazing today.‎ No pictures yet unfortunately! Joel

Hi Carel, the migration seems to be moving quick! They are in and around the Sasakwa airstrip up to 5 miles to the NE roughly in the direction of the Fort Ikoma airstrip. ‎Attached are some of the pics from the air and the ground. Thanks and Regards, Captain Joel

Hi Guys Just to give you an update. The one split of the migration is now around the Lobo area and some of the groups are already reaching Bolagonja. The other big herds are still around the Grumeti River and Sasakwa areas. Expect early river crossings this year! Best wishes Tom

Quick Update as a side note. Today 2 big herds of wildebeest between Sasakwa and Grumeti River 1) Migration herd spotted starting 5 miles SW of Sasakwa airstrip right on the boundary between Grumeti reserve and Serengeti heading SW towards Grumeti, arriving soon. 2)The main migration herd spotted between 5 miles NW of Grumeti airstrip, all the way to 10 miles W-SW of Grumeti airstrip. Very spread out and seems they are stationary. Joel

Hey Carel We are getting ready for peak season and our planes are in tip-top shape, it is going to be a busy season it seems! So the main herd is now between Singita's Sasakwa and the Grumeti River still moving North Westerly. I suspect in a couple of days they will be making a turn to the North East. Thanks and Regards, Joel

Just out of the Serengeti and the herds are still around the Grumeti River and around the Lemala Grumeti camp which is close to the Grumeti Airstrip, your clients are happy, they will send you some images! Regards Tom

Hi, Korduni, one of our managers at our Lemala Explorer Camp in the Grumeti (formerly Kigelia) area says the wildebeest herds are between Mbalageti and Kirawira in the Western Corridor at the moment.

Hi Carel There is a mass of wildebeest and zebra around the Nyasirori area at the Western Corridor seen ten minutes ago by our camp manager from Lemala Explorer Grumeti Camp (formerly Kigelia). They seem to be a little early and if no more rain towards the south-east to turn them around again then we could expect early Mara River crossings this year again, June crossings could even be possible. Regards Tom

We got some low quality photos from the air this morning. Currently the migration is moving in a North Westerly direction and is slightly south of due west from Seronera, spanning between 10 and 20 miles from the airstrip.‎ The pilot didn't get a comprehensive look but says the front-end should soon be on the edge of Singita Grumeti Reserves in a few days from now. So they seem to be on the move and slightly early again this year. Thanks and Regards, Joel