And the migration is back!

On Friday we woke up to the news that the wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara were back!

In a rare and dramatic shift, the wildebeest and zebra herds are reported to be back from northern Serengeti where they had moved to following some mid-season rains in October. The herds had presumed the time to relocate to the Serengeti had come, but local rains in the Mara ecosystem have changed that. The plains are now greened with fresh grass and luscious shots and it is our assumption that if the weather continues like this, there is a likelihood of wildebeest giving birth in the Mara like it was the case in 1998.

So...if you had planned to see the migration but somehow you got caught and never got to witness it, nature might just be giving you a second chance this year or perhaps the animals heard Kenya were celebrating their golden jubilee since independence and decided to stay over for the party?! Hahahaha.....

Reports coming from the Mara indicate that the wildebeest are moving north of Mara Intrepids Camp through the Olare Orok Conservancy and across Posse Plain down to Sand River. The wildebeest and zebras are said to be everywhere, with crocodiles and other predators already enjoying their early Christmas feast! 

For Masai Mara bookings, contact us. 

NEW LOOK MARA SERENA SAFARI LODGE & SWEETWATERS SERENA CAMP

Serena Hotels, Resorts, Safari Lodges and Camps earlier on in the week, unveiled the new-look refurbished Mara Serena Safari Lodge and Sweetwaters Serena Camp.

The group has over the past year embarked on an extensive refurbishment of these properties while ensuring minimal disruption of normal guest services and comfort.

In Mara Serena Safari Lodge, refurbishment took place in two separate phases; an arrival lobby, reception, gift shop, bar lounge, terrace and the Maisha Spa & Gym which commenced February last year. The dining room was reconfigured to create a new buffet and active cooking areas. All these were completed and have been fully operational since July this year.

In the second phase of the refurbishment, the dining area has now been expanded to incorporate the former bar lounge, and a new coffee station and lounge, new public area washrooms; an internal fireplace, terrace and a court yard were created. These areas are now operational as from 1st October, 2013.

Over the period, the works at the restaurant saw their guests enjoy meals under canvas temporary facilities which continually attracted positive feedback from them.

The final phase of the Mara Serena Safari Lodge refurbishment will involve creation of more terraces by the dining room, and is expected to be complete in December 2013.

Meanwhile at Sweetwaters Serena, the camp has enjoyed a 5-star upgrade whereby in July last year, the camp unveiled 11 new tents that now make up the superior Morani Wing. The new building includes the reception, restaurant, guest lounge, bar lounge, gift shop and kitchen of which, all are now fully operational as of this week.

We at Uniglobe Let’s go travel welcome the Serena upgrades as it gives us the “heart” knowing that our clients will be comfortable and enjoy their safaris with their stay at the Serena properties.

The Wildebeest Migration is here......

As early as yesterday, we have received reports from our friends in the Maasai Mara that the long awaited Wildebeest Migration has finally started! This means that the annual dubbed world wonder is on for our viewing coming across from the Serengeti, in Tanzania! For some of us, we have probably heard of the great migration or watched of it in documentaries and wildlife movies, however the question remains.....what exactly happens in this migration that makes it so spectacular?

The wildebeest migration takes place over a wide area across Kenya’s Masai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park.  These parks are one continuous ecosystem divided by an invisible man-made border. Even though the migration is termed as the wildebeest migration in reality the move constitutes of approximately 2 million wildebeest and thousands of zebras and gazelles forming one super herd.   Zebra are often found together with wildebeest as the zebra tend to feed on long tough grass stems preparing them for the broad muzzle of the wildebeest, more suited to close short grasses.  

The animals migrate to follow the rains in search of lush new grass, with the wildebeest spending the wet season on the plains in the south-east, and the dry season in the woodlands of the north-west.  The 800 km pilgrimage is an ongoing cycle of movement and dispersal that is not continually in forward motion.  The wildebeest need to drink daily and their movement is very much dominated by the accessibility of water and they seem to have a sixth sense in following the storms.

This epic journey has no real beginning or end. The life of a wildebeest is an endless pilgrimage, a constant search for food and water and it doesn’t come without its perils, each year over 250,000 wildebeest will die as a result of injury, exhaustion or predation.

The river crossing at the Grumeti and Mara Rivers has been well documented by film makers and photographers, who have captured the “no other choice” suicidal plunge where the wildebeest are forced to plunge into the crocodile infested waters often drowning in thousands!

It is an unusual safari, that has left millions in awe trying to understand it, but until today remains one of the world wonders of nature and wildlife!

For where to stay in the Masai Mara click here.