The rains that have been pounding different parts of the country have been a mixed blessing to the Big Cats.

Plenty of rain translates to floods in the lower plains in the Mara, and this makes herbivores migrate to higher ground to avoid fungal infections in their hooves. This means the predators – lions, leopards, cheetah, hyenas, jackals – have to cede ground to these waters as well as follow their prey to drier land. Otherwise, this also portends great risks for cubs that are not old enough to swim, and many die during such periods.

This is the situation as we begin 2010. We shall keep bringing interesting sightings and facts from the Big Cats in Samburu and Masai Mara, as we hope for better tidings from mother nature.

Karibu!

Big Cats of the Mara:

All the lion prides within our game viewing range have been hunting and fighting for new territories, with each pride trying to push the other out, while a female leopard was also reported by our guides along Ntiakitiak River. Shakira, a star cheetah of the Big Cat Diary series on BBC is in the north just outside the park. read more

The Mara Cats:

There’s always drama on the Mara plains. With the grass so short, the predators are having it tough because their intended prey can spot them fast. For the scavengers, like the lappet face vultures, jackals and hyenas it’s time to feast on the old carcasses that have been softened by the rain.

The Samburu Cats:

Guests at Samburu Intrepids had a rare treat, watching a pride of lions make a kill. During this hunt in at the end of October, the pride was made up of the females Nachupai and Nabo and the two males, Lguret and Loirish and their five cubs. read more

The Mara Cats:

The Olkiombo pride of 14 has split into 3 groups. There’s one lioness with her three cubs aged 6 months. The two males, Cheza and junior are on their own. The biggest group has four sub-adults and two females. Two females are mating so we expect some good news soon. All the groups are around Mara Explorer and Olkiombo airstrip. read more

All year round our expert guides keep us up to date with Big Cat activity on the ground in Masai Mara and Samburu, as they face the challenges of survival and adapt to tough hunting strategies when they have to as dictated by the seasons.

The Mara Cats:

All the lion pride prides in our game viewing territory are still around and actively hunting the remaining wildebeest and resident herbivores. The Ridge Pride settled between the Mara River and Rhino Ridge, moving back and forth to Mara Intrepids airstrip. The pride has now split up with one group found towards the Mara River and the other near Mara Intrepids Lodge.

The Olkiombo Pride still roams along the Talek River. Two females from this pride have one-month-old cubs. read more

The Mara Cats

Lions

The Mara cats are enjoying the last of the easy meals this month before the wildebeest leave. Many skeletons are strewn on the plains because of the big feast. As the wildebeest leave, the lion prides will become very mobile in search of prey, especially the ones with cubs. Some prides will split up because there will not be enough food to share around the pride.read more

The Samburu Cats

Lions

Lions were seen throughout August and September. The prolonged drought has forced the herbivores to come to the Uaso Ng’iro River for the little grass and shrubs to sustain them. This has been good for the lions, who have waited along the river to pounce on the poor prey. In Buffalo Springs, the Ngare Mara pride was seen thrice in a week along the Ngare Mara River. read more

MARA EXPLORER
KIPUNGANI EXPLORER

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