SERENGETI MIGRATION UPDATE
25th February 2010
The bulk of the Serengeti migration is still in the Ndutu area and around Kusini. There has been plenty of rain and there is very good grazing currently in the area. Our Nomad guides are reporting seeing lots of new-born wildebeest about, as well as amazing game generally especially in the Masek area: a pride of 16 lions, lots of cheetah and stacks of plains game. One of our guides, and his guests, sat for three-hours and watched one very long column of wildebeest passing them by.
12th February 2010
There are currently up to half a million wildebeest on the Macau plains south of Ndutu and some also decent herds around the Lemuta area. There has not been any substantial rain showers for some time, so the area is drying up and has been quite windy. No rain is forecast for the next 7 days so we would expect the Wildies to be on the move towards the end of this time.
23rd January 2010
The migration is spread across a wide area of the short grass plains, with everything looking green and lush after recent rains. However, the eastern plains around Salei are drying fast now and longs columns of wildebeest are forming and setting off to the south-west. The first new calves of the season are being seen, so happy days for the predators
13th January 2010
Rains are continuing in the southern Serengeti and the area is very green and lush. Our guides are reporting seeing hundreds of wildebeest all over Ndutu "as far as the eye can see", also around Malanja towards Oldupai, and all the way to the Golini Plain up to Lake Masek. Our Serengeti Safari Camp has enjoyed being right in the middle of all the action.
They've been seeing plenty of predators too, esepecially lions; a pride of 16 lions resting, whilst two of their pride successfully brought down a buffalo. One of our guides also saw 15 rhino in the Ngorongoro Crater recently.
29th December 2009
Heavy rains in the southern Serengeti are making the going quite tough if you're driving.However, the bulk of the migration is all around and there are great wildebeest sightings throughout Ndutu as well as good herds going through the Gol Mountains area. Ndutu is always a great place to see cats and all the other scavengers that follow the migration.
18th December 2009
Our Nomad guides are reporting loads of wildebeest in Ndutu and on the Kusini Plains. There are also some in scattered groups around Olduvai and in the Marsh area. There has been good rains, and the area is looking very green with good grazing.
22nd November 2009
There are heavy rains in the western Serengeti which are moving eastwards. The migration has left the north, heading to the short grass plains where the rich nutrients are. Currently the bulk of the herds are between Naabi and Simba Kopjes, with other smaller herds spread in the western corridor and the Loliondo area.
7th November 2009
There are scattered showers throughout the north Serengeti and the days are currently overcast. The general game throughout this area remains excellent. Much of the Migration is still on both sides of the Mara River, though there are groups heading down towards Ikorongo and Western Serengeti.
26th October 2009
The game is very good around the Kogatende area and the large bulk of the Migration are still in the area though some of the herds have headed south and can be found near Western Corridor, since there has been so little rain over the last week. The weather is now windy and sunny and no further rain is expected until next week.
19th October 2009
Nomad's guides are reporting that there are good sized herds of wildebeest in the Kogatende area of the northern Serengeti and they've seen some spectacular crossings. The migration seems to be clustered in that area, crossing over and back over the river.
Our Nomad guides are reporting that game in the northern Serengeti is phenomenal at the moment. Some of their sightings include:
Seeing a pride of 22 lions up in the Wogakuria area. Lots of action with plenty of migratory herds crossing over the river. Lots of the regular plains game massed around the river too.
21st September 2009
There have been more heavier showers in the Western Corridor area over the last week and some of the herds have already made the journey down. If it dries up, they will not stay there but it is a reflection of the current drought and the desperation of many animals to find enough to eat and drink. The latest weather report from the Tanzanian meteorological dept say that rains will be normal to above normal but they are not anticipating an El Nino, as the currents in the Indian ocean have not responded in the correct manner. However, with predictions for the Lake Victoria basin rains to start in Sept and Arusha in October, they are definitely earlier than we would normally expect.
9th September 2009
In the last few days, there have been some more showers in North Western Serengeti, which meant a large number of wildebeests have moved southwards between Tabora B and Kogatende. There are currently few herds in the Lamai wedge and north to the border but still reasonable number of herds milling between Bologonja and Kuka Hills in the North Eastern sector. With little or no rain predicted in the next seven days and limited grass bulk due to the drought of the last few months, we expect the herds to continue moving around in search of the best grazing over the next two weeks and should cover a wide area from the north of the central zone of the park up to the border. Normally they would be concentrated in the north border area.
24th August 2009
The rains of last week have indeed encouraged many herds to head south again. Since there has been relatively low rainfall and consequently good grass for them to eat, the wildies are remaining spread out and will quickly move to any area that will help them in the short term. So for the time being, the band between central and Kogatende/ Lobo have large numbers of animals in them.
Our guides have been seeing a few crossings of the river in a southerly direction. If the showers continue we should expect more of the herds to congregate in these areas which are further south than one would expect at this time of the year.
The areas recently burnt by the parks as part of their controlled burning program have greened up considerably in the last week, though the amount of grass available in these areas is not yet enough to support large numbers of animals.
18th August 2009
There are large numbers of wildebeest all across the northern Serengeti, with higher concentrations seen on the western side. There has been heavy rain in the Seronera/Ikoma areas and showers in Loliondo over the last couple of days and some herds are moving south again to take advantage of this. Some river crossings have been seen from Kenya back into Tanzania, no doubt encouraged by this
There is grazing still in north but it is not prolific. The areas that have been burnt have short grass cover only. Ww would assume that the migration will still remain fairly scattered as a result
7th August 2009
The migratory herds are quite spread out, with some still in the central are, a few are around Lobo/Bolagonja, a few around Koga with bigger groups still on their way up in Ikorongo. The river is very low which means that there is concern for a drought. Some wildebeest have already crossed the river into the Maasai Mara. Nomad guides are reporting large numbers around Serengeti Safari Camp, currently in Wogakuria.
14th July 2009
As with each year, the Parks have started their early burning program to reduce the bulk of the grass before it gets dry and hopefully prevent a later very hot bush fire from doing too much damage.
So far the areas that have burnt in the Western corridor and elsewhere are small and have not affected the game viewing. There are still areas of green grass and water in the Grumeti river. Large herds of wildebeest remain in the corridor area with other significant herds in Ikorongo and central Serengeti. Depending on future burns and the rate of drying out, we would expect the wildebeest to be around these areas for another week or so but will then probably move further north.
6th July 2009
The rains have eased off for a while and the temperatures are high in the western corridor. There is still a fair bit of green grass around and much of it is quite long. The herds will trample it down as they go through. This does mean there will be grass and reliable water for the Wildebeest and Zebras for a bit. A large part of the migration is still in the western corridor Musabi areas all the way to Grumeti. Large groups of wildebeest are also up in Lobo area. We would expect the herds to remain spread out as above until it dries out further.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
21st February 2009
The last couple of weeks have been extremely good for game sightings and for the Migration throughout the short grass plains area. The regular scattered showers have kept the game in the area and encouraged the nutrient rich grass to grow up. The last few days have seen a general drying up but this is a standard, regular cycle throughout the green season. The weather forecast predicts some good showers in the early days of this coming week which should keep the main herds in the general area.
This has definitely not been a good green season so far, in terms of amount of rain needed and we are all concerned about the dry season, if the rains do not fulfil their promise by the time they peter out towards the end April/beginning of May.
3rd February 2009
There have been heavy showers across the short and medium grass plains area over the last 10 days that have changed the Migration picture quite considerably. The weather forecast shows the rain easing off in the next three days but returning again at the weekend. It looks like the long drought period we have experienced since the unseasonal showers in Oct/Nov has now broken. This will provide much needed relief not just for the game but also for the communities surrounding the National Parks where competition for the small amount of grazing and water was intense. The Maasai have already lost many cattle in these months and will now be happy to move the herds back to their permanent homesteads near their villages
The game started moving back into the Ndutu/Gol/Loliondo areas with the first showers. It never takes long for the grass to green up and the first flush is very nutrient rich. The Migration has likewise moved back into its preferred short grass plain habitat. We would expect the Migration to stay around in this area until the next long dry spell
19th January 2009
The dry spell is continuing, though there are scattered, isolated showers in the Ndutu area. This means the game is on the move continuously but it is still possible to get excellent sightings, especially for cats. The bulk of the Migration is still in central southern Serengeti but is widely scattered. The open areas of the short grass plains are fairly dusty and windy but the woodland areas are still very rewarding.
5th January 2009
There has been little rain in the last two weeks in much of the Southern Serengeti and the Migration herds have travelled west to the longer grass plains around Hidden Valley and Moru. The game was still good around Ndutu. It was drying up fast north of the Naabi road remained very dry with game spread out, mostly to be found in the woodland areas and not in the open. In the last two days, there have been some heavy showers around the whole short grass plain area, including southern Loliondo, with some more possible showers predicted for the next two days. So long as these are generous enough, the green grass will come through with amazing rapidity and the herds will be back as quickly as their hooves can carry them. The short grass plain with its nutrient rich grass is where they need and want to be throughout this period of calving and beyond. The onset of the green season in Serengeti is often unpredictable with dry spells after the initial rain. It is too early to tell what kind of green season we will have. But after the generous rains we have had this last year. it does seem as if it will be drier this time around.
15th December 2008
There is now plenty of game around the Naabi/Ndutu/Gol areas after the recent rains, though there has not been any major showers in the last week. Lakes Ndutu and Masek have lots of water and there is grazing. The weather forecast shows the potential for light showers in the following week, and hopefully that will be enough to keep the area green or the herds will move off again until there is a proper downfall to entice them back in.
3rd December 2008
The unusual rain pattern has continued throughout November, though it is still patchy. Northern, Central and Western Serengeti have received plenty of rain and this has led to the familiar problems of flooded roads and black cotton fun and frolics. The short grass plains in East and South have had more patchy rainfall but it seems there is more about.
The Migration is now well south and east around Ndutu and Naabi with more flowing in each day. The next phase to look out for is the calving. This may happen earlier on than usual if the rains keep up (starting late Dec/early Jan). It is anyone’s guess as to how the green season will progress from here. It is not an official ‘El Nino’ year so these early heavy rains are for some other reason. It may be that they carry on as per usual with dry periods and wetter periods until May or it could signal a more extreme wet/dry cycle for these months.
Despite our fears from the very dry April and May, this year has been a good dry season with rain most months that kept many wildebeest south of the border and provided plenty of fodder and water for all the other animals involved in the circle of the Serengeti eco-system.
7th November 2008
The northern and central areas of the Serengeti received some vey heavy showers and storms in the last couple of weeks to the extent that vehicles were getting stuck in the mud. Not surprisingly, the grazing has improved further south and the herds have followed their noses to search for the rich new growth. The herds now stretch from Lobo through the Tagora plains area to central Seronera area and down almost to Naabi Hill. And then at Naabi hill, you meet up with the more traditional dry season vista on the short grass plains: lots of dust and dry.
We often get patches of wet weather towards the end of the dry season in October, so the rain may just be this and not the early onset of the short rains. If this is the case, it will dry out rapidly and the wildebeest will head back north until they feel the real rains are upon us.
20th October 2008
The Serengeti is beginning to dry up now as most of Tanzania sees a substantial rise in temperatures. The bulk of the Migration has now moved more to the West between Bolagonja and Kogatende. The Wildebeest will stay in that general area until they get a whiff of the rains on the horizon. Given it has been such a wet ‘dry’ season in Northern Serengeti it will be interesting to find out when the rains arrive. The general game has been very good indeed in the northern Serengeti eco-system throughout this period as all animals benefit from the good conditions.
15th September 2008
Late rains in the northern Serengeti have meant there is lots of grazing for the wildebeest herds, most of whom have either stayed south of the border, or have returned back across from the Mara. At the moment the migration is in full spate all along the northern Serengeti, and the game viewing is absolutely phenomenal with lots of lions and cheetahs being seen on recent Nomad safaris.
24th July 2008
The Migration herds are all in the Northern Serengeti area but still spread out, from Ikorongo area through to Bolagonja. Clients started seeing the first crossings of the Mara River about a week ago. While some of the wildebeest will head into the Maasai Mara for the dry season, others will equally stay on the Tanzanian side of the border and others will cross back and forth. The wildebeest are not interested in the politics but just where the grazing and water are. Again this has started early this year as we would normally expect the crossings from early August but this is a good three weeks early repeating the pattern of the season.
10th July 2008
The dry in the Serengeti has meant a quick change in the Wildebeest movements over the last week or so. Seven days ago, there were still substantial numbers in the Western corridor while the front runners had moved off. Suddenly, within a couple of days, the Corridor emptied and the mass of herds moved out. They are now spread out on the northern Serengeti area, along the border area, with some of the herds already crossed into Kenya.
There has been some rain up in the northern area, unlike further south, so it is a bit early to tell where the majority of the herds will spend the dry season. Obviously their priority is the best type of grazing and standing water to drink. The Western corridor is dry but there is still excellent action to be seen. A pride of lion stalked a giraffe yesterday and would have achieved their kill had it not been for a herd of elephants that chased them away.
Sadly there are still many fires throughout the park, which is a cause for concern in a drought where all grazing is precious. Some areas are so dry that they are now burning very hot and do not leave much edible grass behind.
1st July 2008
Following on from the very sparse rains in the Serengeti over the last few months, the park is drying up fast. At the end of June, we would expect the Grumeti River to be flowing still but the pools are already forming. For the last two weeks there has been plenty of migration activity throughout the Western corridor area, but there are real signs now that they are moving northwards, earlier than usual, which means heading up through Western Serengeti and Ikorongo and moving across up towards Lobo and Bolagonja. The front runners are already in the Tagora Plains area.
The game is still good in the Western/Central part of the park and the northern areas have received more rain than further south.
24th May 2008
The rains have been very unpredictable across the country. Some areas have been hit by serious flooding and crop damage while others look as if they might be heading for a drought.
The Crater Highlands are the balance in this weather pattern. East of the range there has been lots of rain but the Western side has not been so lucky. The Serengeti plains are drying out early and the Parks have started their early burning. However, in many places, the grass is already well dried.
The Wildebeest are likely to move off before the norm. Currently there are scattered groups across a wide area and even some still high up towards the crater where there is good grazing and water. However, they have all moved from the short grass plain areas and are focussed more on central Serengeti.
28th March 2008
Easter came early for many this year. The spring hares and African hares were plentiful and the weather decided to join in the fun. Over the last two weeks, there have been dramatic skies, thunder and lightening and heavy showers all over the northern circuit. For the last few years, the long rains at the end of the green season have not broken until mid-April but this year was different.
The rains were very welcome in the Serengeti where a long dry patch during late Feb and early March had meant that the wildebeest had dispersed and moved out of the short grass plains and south into the Macau, Maswa and Simyu areas. As soon as the heavens opened, the long lines of wildebeest headed straight back to the Ndutu area arriving in force over the Easter weekend.
The weather predications for the next week still indicate more rain to come but it might ease off in intensity towards the end of the coming week.
This rain is especially welcome as the general rainfall figures over the last 3 months have been low which can then cause a problem later on as the dry season sets in.
26th February 2008
The rains have carried on in their unenthusiastic way, this season. Some heavy showers but mostly localised and not sustained. Consequently the main Migration herds are quick to move where the best options for food and water are. In the last two weeks, they have spent time in the Loliondo, Gol and Sanjan area but as soon as it started drying up, they moved south and west, passing through Ndutu onto the mid grass plains the other side.
Since the Migration does not move as one, there are still pockets of wildebeest to be found all over this area but the main concentrations are in the south and west. The forecast shows light showers towards at the end of the week, though these are unpredictable. The calving season is also nearing an end with the majority of the babies already here. Despite this, the other game remains excellent throughout the whole south and eastern areas of the eco-system, with plenty of cheetah and lion sightings.
5th January 2008
The first showers arrived in good time this year. They were neither early nor late, not too heavy nor light. In mid month, the plains started greening up so that for Christmas, there was a bright green down all across the short grass plains. The Wildebeest responded by moving en masse to the richer pastures. The first groups arrived in mid Dec and larger herds arriving in time for Christmas dinner and the New year Celebrations. The Migration viewing has been excellent all across the southern Serengeti from Moru & Kusini though to Ndutu & Naibardat area as well as north to Barafu and Gol.
With the Migration, comes the attendant predators, the Nomads and the residents. The Eurasian Migrant birds are also here in full force. Large flocks of Adim’s storks were a feature of the month. With the short green grass, it is much easier to spot.
There has not been much more rain since the first showers, so even though it is green, the dust has made a quick reappearance. In order for the Migration to stay in this area and for the grass, we would like to see some more substantial showers. There has been some build up over this last week, and we hope there will be some showers coming up over the ‘no moon’ period.
Serengeti Safari Camp is now located in Ndutu, in the southern Serengeti.
26th November 9007
The main herds still seem to be straddling the border, the perfect ambassadors for the East African Community. Many are in the Lemai Wedge, north of the Mara River, where the grazing is still good. The floods of late Sept/early Oct in Kenya have completely receded and the level of the river is again low.
There have been light showers in the north West area of the Serengeti, though little elsewhere in the eco-system and therefore it seems unlikely that they will head south for a bit. While the Wildebeest often start moving off before we realise there is a hint of the rains coming, they won’t go until they are sure they will get enough sustenance. In the last few years, the date of their return to the rich southern short grass plains has varied from mid November to the end of January. Though in almost all years, by mid Dec, they are in the central plains of the Serengeti, if not further towards Ndutu.
31st October 2007
The focus of the main migration herds is still up in the North Western Serengeti, along the Mara River and the grazing grounds in the area. The heavier than expected showers of a few weeks ago mean that there is plenty of grazing around much of the northern Serengeti and general game remains very good as well. There has been no rain recently but there are indications that it might be building up.
As there have been no major large bush fires this year, and the grass remains nutritious and plentiful, both game and Maasai cattle are doing well compared to this time last year, when the country was still struggling with bad drought conditions.
Last month for a few days, the heavy rains in the Mau Hills, and the headwaters of the Mara River flooded many areas in southern Kenya. The impact was felt by the younger yearlings who struggled to cross the rapid flowing waters during this period. There were many more drownings reported than usual at this specific time.
More information on the Migration in the Serengeti and Mara eco-systems can be found on the ATTA website at www.atta.co.uk.
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