February’s weather was shaped by the unusually early arrival of the long rains, which typically begin in mid-March and continue through May. Their early onset transformed the Masai Mara into a bright green landscape, framed by dramatic skies stretching from one end of the Siria Escarpment to the other.
The Siria Escarpment forms the western boundary of the Masai Mara National Reserve – photo credit Felix Rome
Following a very dry January, substantial rains arrived in the second week of February, easing slightly around mid-month aside from a heavy downpour on the 14th, before continuing steadily through the remainder of the month. We recorded 109mm total rainfall for the month, and in its wake, a profusion of white tissue paper flowers exploded across the short-grass plains.
Tissue paper flowers are common wildflowers of the Mara – photo credit Ann Aveyard
These fresh grazing conditions drew in herds of larger herbivores, with eland gathering alongside plains zebra and elephants across the revitalised landscape. The game viewing was plentiful, and strong numbers of grazers were scattered in what felt like every direction.
Elephants graze alongside zebras and elands – photo credit Naserian Barbrah
The rains played a vital role in restoring areas that had become dry and sparsely vegetated, offering them a chance to recover. This process begins with the emergence of what’s known as a pioneer community – typically made up of resilient annual grasses that flourish in the favourable conditions following rainfall. These early species help bind and protect the soil from sun and wind, steadily improving the habitat.
The landscape in February – photo credit Ann Aveyard
As conditions continue to improve, this initial growth paves the way for more complex plant communities to take hold. An intermediate, or subclimax stage, develops next, creating ideal conditions for more established vegetation. Ultimately, this leads to the climax community, the final stage in this natural process of succession. These shifts not only restore the landscape but also have a direct and positive impact on the wildlife that depends on it.
Elephants walk along the road – photo credit Ann Aveyard
On 12 February, we witnessed an unexpected spectacle as an estimated thousand zebras crossed the Mara River from the Mara Triangle into the Reserve. They were likely residents from the Tanzanian border, perhaps drawn north by the sudden rains and the flush of fresh grazing in the Masai Mara.
Thousands of zebras cross the Mara River – photo credit Ann Aveyard
The crossing was relentless – wave after wave of zebras plunging into the river, taking nearly an hour and a half for all of them to make it across. Along the banks and beneath the surface, Nile crocodiles capitalised on the sudden surge of movement, and several zebras fell victim to their ambush.
Nile crocodiles are stealthy ambush predators – photo credit Felix Rome
Another of the Mara’s reptilian hunters is the Nile monitor – Africa’s largest lizard. Though far smaller than the Nile crocodile, it is highly adaptable and remarkably agile, operating as a quick, opportunistic hunter and scavenger, making the most of overlooked or abandoned food sources. Its varied diet includes fish, frogs, insects, snails, small mammals and carrion.
A Nile Monitor Lizard – photo credit Ann Aveyard
Nile monitors are well known for raiding crocodile nests, digging up an entire clutch of eggs buried deep in the sunbaked banks of the Mara River. They locate these nests by moving slowly across the hot sand, using their forked tongues to detect scent trails, casually ignoring the frantic alarm calls of spotted thick-knees guarding their own nearby nests.
We enjoyed a great sighting of this monitor at Topi Plains, as it fed on the remains of an impala killed by the Topi Pride. The lions lay resting in the nearby bushes, but as soon as one of the lionesses noticed it, she leapt up and chased it away.
A Nile Monitor feeds on an impala carcass – photo credit Ann Aveyard
Life under the reign of the Mara’s most formidable coalition of males continues to shape the dynamics and movements of the Marsh Pride females.
The Marsh Pride in February – photo credit Ann Aveyard
Frequent mating throughout February has further strengthened the bond between the dominant males and the pride females, reinforcing their roles as both protectors and providers while helping secure the future of these two remarkable bloodlines.
We are hopeful for cubs from Lola, who was seen mating with Ukingo on the 22nd February – she is the last female to have successfully raised a daughter, Nusurika, to adulthood.
Ukingo and Lola – photo credit Elisha Kimtai
The Marsh Pride lionesses were often seen hunting together frequently in February. On one occasion, Naserian successfully caught a young warthog. She was unwilling to share at first, and the others watched patiently before eventually joining in to clean up the remains.
Naserian – photo credit Ann Aveyard
Nusurika was allowed some of Naserian’s warthog – photo credit Ann Aveyard
Naserian, born in July 2021, is the daughter of Kito and granddaughter of the famous Charm, the main character in the BBC’s landmark series, Dynasties. Her name means “small one” in Maa, given to her by the Governors’ Camp guides because she was slighter than her sister Enkerai during their sub-adult stage. Today, the two are almost identical and it can be difficult to tell apart unless seen side by side.
Enkerai is slightly darker in coat and strongly resembles their mother, Kito. During one sighting, she was seen attempting to prise open a leopard tortoise. With its shell offering strong protection, the tortoise kept itself tightly sealed as Enkerai turned it onto its back and probed around the softer areas near its legs.
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Enkerai – photo credit Ann Aveyard
Eventually losing interest, she wandered off, leaving the tortoise overturned. However, when we returned to the area the following morning, it was still alive and upright, suggesting that Enkerai had briefly returned before abandoning the effort altogether.
Kaleo’s two cubs, born in October last year, are now approaching six months of age and growing quickly. Over the past few months, they’ve developed their evolutionary preference for fresh meat, with a steady supply provided by the Marsh Pride lionesses – and even the Topi Boys, who are very tolerant of the youngsters during mealtimes. Although the cubs have largely been weaned, they may still occasionally suckle for a little while longer.
Kaleo’s playful cubs – photo credit Naserian Barbrah
When a kill is made, the cubs remain hidden until Kaleo calls them with a specific vocal cue, signalling it is safe to approach. They can wait patiently for hours while she hunts, only emerging once summoned.
At the carcass, they use their tiny, sharp milk teeth to bite into bright red meat, relying on their mother to create an access point through the tough hide first. Rather than dragging kills back to them – which could attract unwanted attention from hyenas or vultures – Kaleo will instead lead the cubs to fresh carcasses, allowing them to feed more safely.
Kaleo and cub – photo credit Naserian Barbrah
Kaleo’s close cooperation with the Topi Boys, along with her careful introduction of the cubs into the pride, has been vital to their survival. Whether in calm social settings or at feeding sites where tensions can rise, the cubs are now fully accepted. As their confidence grows, they have been testing the males, often clambering over them while the males attempt to rest.
Kaleo’s cubs with Otipo and Moja Moja – photo credit Mika Korokir
Despite spending part of the month away with Ukingo for mating, Lola still made time to bond and socialise with her daughter, Nusurika. Now around 3.5 years old, Nusurika is attracting increasing attention from the Topi Boys.
Lola and Nusurika – photo credit Ann Aveyard
The Topi Boys have successfully established themselves as a monopolised breeding coalition by dominating mating opportunities and excluding other males. Despite spending time in other territories such as Paradise Plains and the Mara Triangle, they have maintained stringent patrols throughout the Musiara Marsh, giving them complete control over the pride’s females.
Around mid-month, Nzuri and Otipo forced Nusurika from her cover in the orange-leaved croton thicket along the Bila Shaka watercourse. The two males showed clear intent, and their behaviour was charged with tension as they attempted to initiate mating.
Nusurika strikes out at Otipo – photo credit Ann Aveyard
Nusurika, however, met the pressure with fierce aggression. Though she was ultimately forced into the open, she lashed out, landing several powerful blows across Otipo’s face. As the youngest female in the pride, she may not yet have learned when submission is the safer strategy in navigating encounters with the males.
Nzuri and Otipo chase Nusurika into the open – photo credit Ann Aveyard
Since sustaining an injury in December, the coalition leader, Ukingo, has maintained a low profile, with fewer sightings in February than in January – suggesting he may still be quietly recovering. He is most often seen alongside Otipo, likely his closest companion, with the two frequently resting back-to-back or heading out on sunrise and sunset patrols together.
Ukingo – photo credit Ann Aveyard
We were pleased to see Vuli – the coalition’s most independent member (though not entirely by choice) – during his many visits to Paradise Plains. While the other males have eased off their territorial incursions, Vuli remains drawn by its untapped opportunities and the presence of receptive young females who have engaged with the Topi Boys in recent months.
During one of his patrols between territories, Vuli caught himself a young warthog, a substantial meal for one lion, which soon attracted a pair of black-backed jackals. As opportunistic but relatively minor competitors, the jackals posed little threat, and Vuli appeared relaxed enough to feed while they waited in hopeful anticipation of leftovers.
Vuli with his kill – photo credit Elisha Kimtai
The youngest of the Topi Boys, Kiongozi, disappeared for just over a week in early February, prompting some concern about his whereabouts. However, it is not unusual for male lions – particularly those in larger coalitions – to wander off and return on their own terms. By 24 February, Vuli had enticed Kiongozi across to the Paradise Plains, where we were relieved to see him back and in good condition.
Kiongozi enjoying the early morning sun at Paradise Plains – photo credit Naserian Barbrah
Common Ostrich
This is the largest of all living bird species. The males are unmistakable, sporting bold black plumage with stark white wing and tail feathers, alongside a bare neck and thighs that turn a vivid, pinkish-red during the breeding season to attract mates. Watch a male ostrich’s remarkable courtship performance via the link below.
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A male Common Ostrich – photo credit Ann Aveyard
The females, by contrast, wear a more subdued, earthy grey-brown plumage. Their breeding behaviour is highly structured and cooperative; a dominant male will mate with a harem of females, all of whom lay their massive eggs in a single, communal nest scraped into the earth.
Incubation is a shared duty carefully timed for protection: the cryptically coloured dominant female sits on the eggs during the day, while the black-feathered male takes the night shift, seamlessly blending into the darkness. Though flightless, their behaviour is far from vulnerable; they are incredibly swift runners capable of reaching speeds of up to 70 kilometres per hour, using their powerful, two-toed legs for rapid evasion and formidable defence.
A female Common Ostrich – photo credit Ann Aveyard
Baglafecht Weaver
Adding a brilliant splash of colour to the February landscape, the Baglafecht Weaver is a beautiful resident characterised by its bright yellow underparts and the distinctive dark facial mask worn by the males. Unlike many highly gregarious and polygamous weaver species found in the Mara, the Baglafecht is typically monogamous and is often spotted foraging quietly in pairs or small family groups for insects, seeds, and fruit.
A black-crowned female (left) and yellow-crowned male (right) Baglafecht Weaver – photo credit Ann Aveyard
Their breeding behaviour is highly collaborative; both the male and female work together to meticulously construct a neat, kidney-shaped nest with a side entrance, woven tightly from strips of grass and leaves and often suspended safely from the thorny branches of an acacia tree. The male’s performance is accompanied by a mix of short and longer songs, all intended to impress a potential mate. Because these birds tend to nest alone, the male also spends much of his time defending his carefully chosen territory and nest site from rivals.
A female Baglafecht Weaver – photo credit Ann Aveyard
Black-headed Heron
The Black-headed Heron is a familiar sight across the Mara, easily identified by its striking grey plumage, dark black head and neck, and stark white throat. Unlike many of its water-dependent relatives, this adaptable heron is frequently observed hunting in dry grasslands, standing perfectly motionless before striking out at grasshoppers, small reptiles, and rodents with lightning speed.
A Black-headed Heron – photo credit Ann Aveyard
When it comes to breeding, these herons are highly sociable, congregating in noisy colonies known as heronries. They construct untidy stick nests high up in the tree canopy, where both parents share the demanding duties of incubating their clutch of pale blue eggs and rearing the growing chicks.
Black-headed herons are exceptional hunters – photo credit Ann Aveyard
Lappet-faced Vulture
Commanding respect as the largest and most dominant scavenger in the Reserve, the Lappet-faced Vulture is a formidable presence in our skies. Their appearance is unmistakable, featuring dark brown to blackish plumage that sharply contrasts with their white thighs and their bare, pinkish-red heads adorned with the fleshy folds of skin, or ‘lappets’, that give them their name.
A pair of nesting Lappet-faced vultures- photo credit Ann Aveyard
Behaviourally, they tend to be solitary or travel in pairs rather than large flocks, using their massive, powerful beaks to tear through tough hides and tendons at a carcass that smaller vultures cannot manage. They are slow breeders, building enormous, flat-topped stick nests upon the crowns of acacia or Balanites trees, where they will carefully incubate a single egg for nearly two months.
Dear Readers,
Please note that from the end of March, our monthly Weather & Wildlife Reports will transition to a quarterly format. Going forward, reports will be shared in three-month editions – covering April, May and June, followed by July, August and September, and so on throughout the year. Thank you for your understanding and continued interest. We look forward to sharing more comprehensive seasonal insights in this new format.
By Jess Savage and Alisa Karstad with imagery contributed by Ann Aveyard Photography, Felix Rome, Elisha Kimtai and Naserian Barbrah. If you’d like to learn more about a February safari, please visit the link below.
A SAFARI IN FEBRUARY
