September 17th 2004

The rains that pounded the Maasai Mara last week continued to dictate the patterns of our surprise ‘second migration’ this week. Most of the wildebeest continued to congregate in the short grass areas on the central plains, which were recently burned to promote their growth. There were also active river crossings of herds moving into the Mara Conservancy by Lookout Hill, as well as others crossing the Talek River near Mara Intrepids on their way north to Rhino Ridge.

Meanwhile, thousands of wildebeest who had earlier crossed westwards by Lookout Hill have begun crossing eastwards at the Paradise crossing point. With the plains in the Conservancy increasingly denuded by grazing, more animals are also heading north towards Oloololo Gate, where the grass is generally longer and tougher.

The prides of lions in our game-viewing area continue to have a field day as the herds pass through their territory. Bella, the leopard star of the BBC’s Big Cat Diary, is also providing regular sightings, as are several resident cheetah. Once again, this year’s ‘second migration’ is providing visitors to the Mara with some of the best game-viewing on record.