February 2016 - Wildebeest migration updates

Today, surrounded by so many thousands of wildebeest, we were able to focus on just one as she gave birth. From birth to trying to stand: 2.23min; standing at 4.20mins and hunting for a drink 9 minutes later.

Having been unceremoniously dumped into a howling wind, the poor little thing shivered and wobbled uncertainly before finally locating the milk bar. By the time we left, 15 minutes later it was following Mum. Wonderful to watch.

Out on the plains, the wildebeest calving is in full swing. When the moment arrives it happens quickly, the mother looking mildly surprised at the wet bundle which has suddenly appeared.

Within minutes the baby is standing on wobbly pins, searching for the first feed of nourishing colostrum to gain strength to be able to keep up with it's mother. These magic moments were captured by Hamisi Masawe.

(Warning: images not for sensitive viewers)

Hi HerdTracker,

I just spoke to one of our guides who has just come in from a game drive and he says there are huge herds of wildebeest still around Kimuma Hill and across to Ubuntu and north of there on the plains towards Ndutu.

It’s still sunny and dry here and plenty of green grass so hopefully they will be around here for a bit longer!

Kind Regards,
Belinda

Hi HerdTracker,

The migration is around Kakesio and the Makao plains right now. Lots of of newborns witnessed. I'll send through images as soon as I meet one of our guides.

Regards,
Veronica
 

Asilia Africa guide Tim sent us these images of a newborn calf playing with it's mother in the Naboisho Conservancy, Kenya.

Serengeti safari guide Miraji Gwau sent us these images of the wildebeest migration's calving season in Ndutu, getting close to the newborn calves.

Hi HerdTracker,

The Loita herds are gathering up in Naboisho looking very pregnant. Here are some images of the Loita migration in Kenya. 

Regards,
Tim

Hi HerdTracker

There are huge herds of wildebeest between Kimuma and Ubuntu and north on the plains towards Ndutu at the moment. Lots of calves but still many to calve yet. The guides said there are a lot of wildebeest around Kusini too.  

Gerard will try and get some images to you in the next couple of days. Thanks. 

Kind Regards,
Belinda

Good Morning HerdTracker,

Beautiful sunny days here giving some time for us and the landscape to dry out a bit after a lot of heavy rain.

In the immediate vicinity of the lodge, there are not so many of the wildebeest or zebra, however reports are that Hidden Valley has a lot of water and large numbers of animals coming to drink all day long.

The majority of the masses seem to be out south of here - Makao - Kusini direction, as well as the plains around the main road between Olduvai and Twin HIlls. Once guests actually reach the herds, there are babies popping out left right and centre.

Cheers,
AInslie

Hi HerdTracker,

The migration is still close to the plains between Olduvai and Gol.

Then yesterday we had a group of wildebeests passing behind the camp heading to the Naabi plains as per the attached photo. Babies are not in great numbers yet.

Regards,
Greg

Hi HerdTracker,

Our guests at Lemala Ndutu sent us these images saying Ndutu is full of very pregnant mamas waiting to drop their newborn calves.

Photo credit Louise Hill - Arusha, Tanzania.

Kind Regards,
Lemala Camps
 

There is daily rainfall over the short grass plains, which has now triggered the mother’s instincts to give birth giving the calves the benefit of the mineral-rich fresh grass. 

The herds are amazing in their density between Naabi and Ndutu, covering the plains and stretching beyond towards South and Olduvai. 

Thanks to Nomad Guide Ian Kiwelu for the photos.

Miraji Gwau, a guide at Lemala Camps, took this image of the wildbeest migration grazing on the southern Serengeti Plains. 

Hi HerdTracker,

We had an amazing flight this morning with 15 passengers onboard.

The weather was excellent this morning and we flew for 1.1 hours and landed with 8 knots after the triangle.

We flew right over the migration throughout the flight. We started halfway through the herd and we could not see their end.

There are wildebeests here in millions, not in thousands!

We also saw a pack of hyenas with a kill while some were chasing baby wildebeest. In addition there were a lot of Grant's gazelles, zebra, Thomson's gazelles, jackal, eland and African hares.

Our guests were in awe of this spectacle of nature from an exciting perspective.

Regards,
Captain Jones

Hi HerdTracker,

A small group of wildebeest have been seen at Shamba la Maharage which is Naabi Plains and more concentration is from this area up to Gol area. The guests saw two newborn wildebeests seems a sign they have started calving.

Yesterday, we just had rains in the evening and guides are expecting them to be moving closer to us .

Please see the picture taken yesterday about the calves. Should I hear more info today will get back to you.

Regards,
Greg

Hi HerdTracker

There are masses of wildebeest north of here and south of here - north of the main road across the Serengeti up towards Lemuta, Angata Kiti and Piyaya. South of here also, between Twin Hills and Makao masses.

Reports are now coming in that the calving has started. You are not having to drive very far from here to be in the middle of it all. Guest are seeing some awesome cheetah chases and kills. Several sets of new Cheetah cubs have been sighted.

Cheers
Ainslie

Hi HerdTracker,

There's a big herd in the Ndutu area, going further east to Piyaya. The migratory animals are starting to give birth as well. 

Regards,
Simon