Atta - Nomad Tanzania - Wildebeest Migration Report

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Migration Update - 23rd June 2009

There are still large groups of Wildebeest and Zebras in Seronera and the central Serengeti area. Many have moved to the Western corridor already with a huge herd already reaching Musabi and surrounding areas. The Zebra will start trampling down the grass followed by the herds of Wildebeest and game viewing will improve as the long grass stems thin out. While the herds are moving out of the short grass plains later than usual this year, the length of time they stay around the central and western areas will depend on how long the grazing and water supplies last.
Since conditions are good for the time being we would expect them to be around for the next 10 days or so.

posted by Nomad Tanzania at 1:57 AM 0 comments

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Migration Update - 18th June 2009

There are no rains at the moment and the weather is fine. After very heavy rains in the last couple of weeks in the Western Corridor the grass is currently quite long and green. The Migration is quite spread out and still in Central Serengeti. We expect, as the area dries out, for a large section to move further into the Western Corridor while other groups will go up through central Serengeti and Loliondo.

The Migration does not move as one defined group in its seasonal movements. When the herds move in with their advance guard of zebras and other game, they will trample down the long grass and improve visibility. We are also coming to the time when the National Parks institute their annual early burning policy and so we expect that to also have an impact both on the length of the grass and occasionally the movement of the Migration as a whole.

The general game around Rongai area and central Serengeti western corridor continues to be good.

posted by Nomad Tanzania at 1:26 AM 1 comments

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Migration Update - 20th May 2009

The last week has seem some rains coming to the Serengeti Loliondo and southern Kenya area. Ideally, we need them to carry on for some time as there is not enough ground cover to last out the dry months but already the effects are obvious. The southern short grass plains are green with plenty of game around including the Migration. Other wildlife are much more visible as they have pulled away from the permanent water sources. The cattle which had been grazing brought from drought stricken areas are now returning home as there is sustenance. This relieves the pressure not only on the local herds but also on the wildlife.

posted by Nomad Tanzania at 6:34 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

Migration Update - 6th May 2009

The rains have brought relief to the short grass plains with additional recent rain around Ndutu. However, despite the green grass, the overall conditions are still dry and there are few standing water sources. The herds remain scattered over the whole southern serengeti/NCAA area with some small groups up in the north as well. Most likely these ones never came further south. Much more rain is still needed before the game can face the dry season with confidence. However, traditionally it dies out in May

posted by Nomad Tanzania at 4:27 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Migration Update - 14th April 2009

Finally the rains have arrived with the full Easter moon. For those on safari at this time, the dark storm clouds flying over the Serengeti and Loliondo were a truly dramatic sight. Much of the rain has been falling at night, leaving the days clear.

Not surprisingly there has been an instant change in the distribution of the game and the Migration has rushed back to the short grass plains around Ndutu, Gol and southern Loliondo. Since these have been heavy rains, we would expect them to stay around for a week or more and certainly longer if the showers continue.

The Maasai have been keeping their cattle in many of these game areas in order to benefit from the few remaining water sources and food. With this rain, hopefully they will be able to return to their more permanent homesteads and the game will be able to spread out. There is no doubt that where there are humans and cattle, the game becomes sparse and the predators nervous.

posted by Nomad Tanzania at 5:48 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

MIgration Update - 31st March 2009

The dry weather has continued, with scattered light showers still making an appearance at random intervals across the short grass plains.

The Migration is much as it was in the last report, around central areas of the Serengeti and in the woodland areas surrounding the plains, where the general game sightings remain very good. Looking at the forecast, there are more showers expecting in the next couple of days before another dry spell sets in. Once the rain falls, the immediate game picture changes with surprising speed with the herds heading to the short grass plains.

posted by Nomad Tanzania at 9:16 AM 0 comments

Thursday, March 05, 2009

Migration Update - 3rd March 2008

The rains are still not cooperating this year. There are cloud build ups and even thunder and lightening but we are not getting the rain that they promise. The Migration is now spreading out yet again, in search of more reliable food which means going south and west towards Maswa and Moru.

There is still some green grass around those parts and they have had more rain than the areas in the shadow of the crater. The weather for the next week looks dry and sunny, though despite this we have had reports of isolated showers around Naabi and Matiti. The general game remains good around Ndutu and Loliondo, though the short grass plains around Nasera and Gol are sparse until the next rainfalls.

posted by Nomad Tanzania at 11:33 PM 0 comments

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