It has been one of the most exciting months for predator dynamics as we witnessed the Topi boys attempt to take over the Marsh Pride. Since early November, the young males have pushed deeper into the territory – a transition fraught with risks and hostility – culminating in their mating rights and active patrolling of the area.

Marsh Pride lioness Kaleo – photo credit Dan Palmer

Weather and grasslands

As expected, the short rains of November extended into December keeping the landscape serenely green. Rainfall was rather patchy: It rained on the first four days of the month, followed by a six-day dry spell and a few light showers between the 11th and 14th of December.

A downpour over Ngiroare (Mara Triangle)  – photo credit Dan Palmer

The rain picked up again from the 18th (36mm) through to the 24th, followed by another dry spell from the 25th to the 30th. In total, 205.5mm of rain was recorded for December, which is similar to what was received last year (200.8mm). The Mara River flowed steadily and maintained a regular level without radical changes.

The Mara River level at mid-month – photo credit Dan Palmer

Tracks were generally muddy with little time to dry out, and excess water filled the roadside verges. Storm clouds filled with drama and mystery loomed ahead, resulting in some spectacular weather shots.

Photo credit Dan Palmer

Early mornings featured a low-lying mist hovering just a few feet above the ground, while soft clouds had gathered above by midday.  On some mornings we were graced with breathtaking sunrises at approximately 06:34 while sunsets dropped below the horizon at about 18:47.

On the plains and in the Marsh 

The Musiara Marsh, an iconic wetland of the Masai Mara, remained a verdant expanse throughout December. The area is a popular feeding ground for generations of elephants due to its abundant soft-stemmed vegetation. Much of the surrounding landscape is covered by tall grass, with patches of shorter grass attracting an array of smaller herbivores.

Elephants in the Marsh – photo credit Dan Palmer

In the very heart of the Musiara Marsh is a wooded section known as Lake Nakuru, where a mixture of towering Greenhearts and hollowed tree stumps has provided a safe zone for the Marsh Pride, who will hide their cubs in the thick of it while they hunt. This is how the Marsh Pride got their name.

Topis and Thomson’s gazelles dominated the short grass plains near the Musiara Gate; their choice of location is heavily influenced by current grass levels, which ensure safety and excellent visibility against predators.

A male Thomson’s gazelle – photo credit Dan Palmer

The massive herd of buffalo rotated its grazing between the eastern side of the Musiara Airstrip and the southern plains near the Main Crossing point. Solitary bulls prefer to stay close to the outskirts of the forest surrounding our camps; we often find them making the most of a shrinking puddle, caked in thick mud, with only flies for company.

The massive herd of buffalos – photo credit Dan Palmer

These ageing males are an easy target for the Marsh Pride, who will begin stalking them from further out on the plains, inching closer and closer before ambushing. Despite their bulk, strength and unpredictable temperament, they struggle to stand up and fight once the lions have pounced.

It takes several lions to bring down a single adult buffalo – photo credit Dan Palmer

The open landscape bustled with large families of elephants, and every herd was complete with many calves, offering a heartwarming sight of the next generation. Giraffes were also prominent both on the plains and along the tree lines which offer scattered vegetation.

The Maasai giraffe is one of four giraffe subspecies – photo credit Dan Palmer

Elands – the largest bovid in Africa – will graze on the plains during the rains and adapt to browsing during the drier months. They are capable of leaping an impressive 2.5 meters high, although they are said to be the slowest of all antelopes. Feeding in wide open spaces alongside a range of herbivores demonstrates their ability to coexist peacefully with other species in shared grazing environments.

Elands are spiral-horned antelopes – photo credit Dan Palmer

As conditions dried out towards the end of the month, Stuhlmann’s blue monkeys and vervet monkeys were drawn into our Mara camps. Under the shade of the riverine trees, the ground retains its moisture for longer providing an ideal environment where insects, which form part of a varied diet for both species, can thrive. Olive baboons are in large troops with lots of babies, scattered throughout the forest verges where they can easily escape from predators.

A Stuhlmann’s blue monkey – photo credit Dan Palmer

An olive baboon infant – photo credit Dan Palmer

Big Cats of the Masai Mara

December was clearly a turning point for lion dynamics; the Marsh Pride remained at the centre of conflicts as the seven Topi Boys intensified their efforts to take over the territory. Oleku has so far remained with the Marsh females, but his days could now be numbered as the Topi Boys close in on this Pride.

Oleku feasting on a buffalo – photo credit Dan Palmer

Dada, Kaleo, and Naserian have been mating frequently with the Topi Boys, especially three young males known as Ukingo (M1), Otipo (M2), and Moja Moja (M3). The Marsh Pride has struggled to raise cubs successfully for nearly two years, facing challenges such as predation and territorial instability; however, the rising influence of the Topi Boys has renewed optimism for the future of this pride.

Kaleo – photo credit Dan Palmer

In the early morning hours of 11th December, we witnessed a hostile standoff between 3/4 of the Bila Shakas and 6/7 of the Topi Boys as they pushed for dominance of the Marsh. There was much audible effort from both sides, a few heavy-handed swipes and plenty of intimidation before Kiok, Chongo and Koshoke were sent back to Paradise Plains.

There is a significant age gap between the Bila Shakas and the Topi Boys who have been with their maternal pride until very recently. In fact, for most of December, Vuli (M5) stayed at his mother’s side before finally breaking away and joining the others.

Male lions are typically expelled from their birth pride once they are about three years old, after which they might spend some time roaming before they attempt to take over a pride at about five years old. With this in mind, the Topi Boys might be too young and inexperienced to fully settle in the Marsh territory; however, their “strength in numbers” appears to be giving them the upper hand in the fight.

What happens next remains to be seen. Over the past year, the Bila Shaka males had become accustomed to covering the Marsh Pride on an ad hoc basis, offering no stability or decent protection to the offspring that they have sired. Instead, healthy cubs no more than a few months old have repeatedly fallen victim to predation, which could be a major factor influencing the recent behaviour and willingness of the females.

A worried-looking Kiok as he leaves the Marsh – photo credit Dan Palmer

The rest of the Topi Pride has been active in the areas beyond Double Crossing, where they often interact with the Sala’s males: Olepolos, Orkitok, and Osapuk. Despite having a bad leg, Orkitok remains active and continues mating with the Topi females. At the end of the month, the pride was observed feeding on a dead elephant – a rare scavenging opportunity that sustained them for several days.

The Paradise Pride has shown significant changes over time, particularly with the increased presence of the four Bila Shaka males: Chongo, Kiok, Kibogoyo, and Koshoke. Their retreat from the Marsh appears to have solidified their focus on the Paradise females – a notable shift from their occasional visits between two prides.

Koshoke – photo credit Dan Palmer

Meanwhile, the pride has suffered losses, with two young cubs perishing in December. On the 11th, we found a hyena running around Paradise Plains with a very tiny cub tight in its jaws. Interestingly, this sighting is from the same morning the Topi boys and the Bila Shakas entered a hostile standoff.

A spotted hyena with the Paradise Pride cub – photo credit Dan Palmer

Our photographer, Dan Palmer, reported no sign of the rest of the Paradise Pride when he came across the hyena and the cub; therefore, we suspect the cub was already dead and possibly killed in a territorial conflict that night.

A sad sight of the hyena taking off with the cub – photo credit Dan Palmer

The Paradise Pride are very aggressive, not to mention so many. We are not sure which of the Paradise Pride females had birthed this cub as it was so new, but the remaining cubs of varying ages are being raised by the Bila Shaka males, who are now consistently present.

The young cubs for the Paradise Pride – photo credit Dan Palmer

Cheetah Nagol has shown remarkable resilience despite facing significant challenges in the southwestern region of the Reserve. Following the tragic loss of all five cubs from her second litter, (four to hyenas and the last to Jua, a collared female from the Topi Pride), Nagol exemplifies the harsh reality faced by cheetahs in the Masai Mara, where cubs have only a 5% chance of surviving to adulthood.

We hope that Nagol will have more luck with her next litter – photo credit Dan Palmer

Her determination is a testament to the strength and endurance required for survival in such a hostile environment. Nagol’s story highlights the critical need for continued efforts to protect cheetahs and their vulnerable offspring in this challenging ecosystem.

Nagol – photo credit Dan Palmer

Birds of the Masai Mara

The Governors’ Camp area along the Mara River is a thriving habitat for a diverse range of bird species. The onset of the short rains has significantly boosted the population, creating a haven for birdwatchers and photographers alike.

A little bee-eater – photo credit Dan Palmer

A pied kingfisher perched at the airstrip bridge – photo credit Dan Palmer

December is a good month for birding as it offers the chance to see some migratory species in the Marsh after a long absence. Palearctic migrants such as Steppe eagles and Steppe buzzards were both sighted this December in the Masai Mara, having journeyed all the way from the Russian steppes.

The Steppe buzzard is a long-distance migrant that winters in eastern Africa – photo credit Dan Palmer

Steppe eagles also migrate to Africa annually – photo credit Dan Palmer

Water-loving species, such as African jacanas, were in abundance throughout December. Their striking colours and distinctively long toes allow them to walk on floating vegetation, making them one of the more unique species that can be appreciated.

Our Masai Mara weather and wildlife for December 2024 is by Jess Savage, with supporting imagery by Dan Palmer.

The Governors’ Camp Collection comprises five award winning camps and lodges – set in the heart of the best wildlife viewing areas of Kenya. Book your safari now info@governorscamp.com