Weather and grasslands

The first three weeks of January were relatively dry, with very little rainfall. The days were hot, the roads dusty, and the previously green grasslands morphed into a transient golden colour more typical of the region’s dry-season conditions.

January started off dry – photo credit Ann Aveyard.

However, the last two weeks of January brought significant rainfall, and the landscape transformed into a paradise of plenty almost overnight. We recorded 253 mm of rain in total for January. Mornings were cold and frosty, shrouded by a low-lying mist, but the lush scenery provided a refreshing change.

Photo credits Maureen Gathoni 

A drastic change from arid conditions to a wet, muddy landscape highlights the Mara’s ever-shifting weather patterns and unpredictable climate. As we embark into early February, the balance between moderate rainfall and good sunshine will shape the safari experience in the coming weeks.

Photo credit Maureen Gathoni

Masai Mara sunrises are some of the most beautiful in the world. The sky is all red while a burning yellow ball eases above the horizon. If you are up early and out of camp by 6:30 a.m., you can capture a postcard-perfect scene of a Balanites or Boscia in silhouette. Sunsets took place at approximately 6:59 p.m.

A desert date (Balanites aegyptiaca) in silhouette – photo credit Ann Aveyard

Boscia angustifolia is one of the most recognisable trees in the Mara – photo credit Ann Aveyard.

On the plains

Large breeding herds of buffalos dominated the landscape, moving confidently across the open grasslands, their sheer numbers serving as their greatest defence against predators. Giraffes, ever graceful, were also a common sight, striding majestically with their young, adding to the dynamic beauty of the ecosystem.

Photo credit Ann Aveyard

The number of elephants around the Musiara Marsh appeared lower than in December, indicating possible shifts in movement patterns due to changing weather conditions. At the start of January, we found them crossing the Mara River while the level was low, knee-deep and keeping a respectable distance from dense pods of hippos.

Elephants crossing the Mara River – photo credit Ann Aveyard.

Despite a dry spell at the beginning of January, the Musiara Marsh remained green and nicely saturated. A large part of it was inaccessible due to the bog-like consistency of the terrain and the risk of getting stuck in the mud. Elephants, however, cannot keep away from the shallow pools from which they siphon water and thick mud before spraying it across their back to stay cool.

The marsh attracts plenty of elephants daily – photo credit Ann Aveyard.

Male and female waterbucks, with their thick, shaggy coats, are typically found in wet areas within the broader savannah habit. Therefore, the Musiara Marsh is a great spot to see these antelopes.

They do not tolerate dehydration, forcing them to rely on a constant water supply and feed on coarser grass that other grazers have avoided. It is estimated that just 200,000 waterbucks remain in the wild, and habitat loss and fragmentation are their biggest threats.

Male and female Defassa waterbucks enjoying the marsh – photo credit Ann Aveyard

Meanwhile, Topi populations have surged on the plains; an abundance of large bachelor herds somewhat highlights the absence of other antelope species. Their presence, along with the resilience of other wildlife, continues to define the Mara’s ever-changing yet remarkable wilderness.

Photo credit Ann Aveyard.

Topis use mounds to survey the surrounding area – photo credit Ann Aveyard.

Big Cats of the Masai Mara

The Marsh Pride continues to adjust to new dominance in the area as the Topi Boys push for an official takeover. While most of the pride has accepted the changes, two females – Kito (the leader) and Nusurika (the youngest) – remain guarded.

Kaleo – photo credit Maureen Gathoni

Kito seems determined to hold on to Oleku, the young pride male, who remains with the pride despite hostility from the Topi Boys. The tension persists, with Kito fighting hard to keep him around, although the reality of his fraught situation is slowly setting in. Meanwhile, Nusurika, being younger and less experienced than Kito, has taken a submissive approach under the new rulers.

Amid these power struggles, the pride also has exciting news: Kito and Lola are pregnant. Lola is heavily expectant and could give birth any time, marking a significant milestone as her cubs will be the first offspring of the pride that the Topi Boys have sired.

M7 attempting to mate with one of the Marsh Pride females – photo credit Maureen Gathoni.

The prospect of new cubs is exciting, as it brings hope for the expansion of the pride; however, the level of protection offered by the Topi Boys remains to be seen. The coming months will be crucial in determining how well Kito and Nusurika adapt and how the new generation of cubs shapes the future of the Marsh Pride.

The Topi Boys are quickly transitioning from young nomads to dominant males within the territory. Their size and strength become more evident each month, making them a force to be reckoned with. They have been mating plenty with Enkerai and Naserian, Kito’s young daughters, who have recently reached sexual maturity.

Naserian – photo credit Maureen Gathoni 

Their hunting skills have been remarkable, taking down large prey, including buffaloes and hippos, within short intervals. Their success is mainly due to their impressive coalition size and the assistance of the Marsh Pride females, who have played a crucial role in their hunting endeavours.

Otipo (M2) is identifiable by the large growth on his right eye – photo credit Maureen Gathoni. 

As they continue establishing dominance, the boys have just about solidified their complete presence within the Marsh Pride. However, one member, Vuli (M5), remains somewhat detached from the rest, often choosing to spend most of his time with Amara, the solitary Topi female. This separation raises curiosity about his future and whether he will eventually reintegrate with the coalition or carve his own path alongside Amara.

Vuli (M5) – photo credit Ann Aveyard

The Paradise Pride continues to thrive as one of the most stable Prides in the Masai Mara, and its numbers remain strong. The subadults are growing steadily, reaching approximately one year and a few months old now. Each day, they gain more strength and experience, preparing for a challenging transition into adulthood.

Youngsters for the Paradise Pride – photo credit Maureen Gathoni 

Photo credit Maureen Gathoni 

A Paradise Pride female – photo credit Maureen Gathoni 

The Bila Shakas have maintained their position as the reigning males for the Paradise Pride. Their full-time presence ensures the safety of the young cubs and subadults, reinforcing the pride’s stability. Despite being chased out of the Marsh territory by the Topi Boys, the Bila Shaka coalition has demonstrated its resilience and ability to protect its lineage, which is a testament to its strength and strategic leadership.

Koshoke – photo credit Ann Aveyard

Kibogoyo – photo credit Maureen Gathoni 

The Pride was not without its challenges in January. On the 26^th, Chongo and one of the Paradise females sustained injuries while hunting a buffalo. Kiok was also seen with wounds across his face, but Chongo’s stomach injury, in particular, required immediate intervention.

Fortunately, the Musiara ranger team quickly mobilised the Mara Serena vet, who attended to his injury. After being treated, Chongo resumed feeding on the buffalo carcass and even mated later in the day.

Faulu, the daughter of the late Fig, frequently appeared around the Double-Crossing area in January. Born in 2021, she has grown into a very confident and skilled huntress, as evidenced by her recent gazelle kills; she is undoubtedly following in the footsteps of her mother, one of the most famous leopards in the Mara.

Faulu – photo credit Ann Aveyard

Faulu was recently observed mating with Olopono, a dominant male. This interaction signals a new chapter as she moves towards motherhood. Her consistent presence and growing independence indicate that she is thriving and cementing her status as one of the key leopards to watch out for in the  Masai Mara.

Faulu – photo credit Maureen Gathoni 

The male leopard known as Olopono – photo credit Ann Aveyard

Oloti, the wandering male cheetah, has recently been spotted in the Reserve, continuing his solitary movements across the Mara, Mara Triangle, and even the northern Serengeti. Known for his resilience and strength, he consistently reappears in peak condition, a testament to his exceptional hunting skills and ability to navigate vast territories.

Oloti – photo credit Maureen Gathoni 

Unlike coalition cheetahs, Oloti’s lonesome lifestyle makes his survival even more remarkable. He faces constant competition from rival males and threats from larger predators. His latest sighting confirms that he remains a formidable and adaptable force in the ecosystem. Thanks to Cheetah Enthusiast for the ID.

Birds of the Masai Mara

Southern ground hornbills were present throughout January. Striking, sociable and with a deep booming call, they are a unique sight on the Mara’s open plains as they go about foraging for food. Well known for being opportunistic hunters, their diet ranges from a wide range of insects to small reptiles and mammals, bird’s eggs and snails.

Southern ground hornbills are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN list – photo credit Ann Aveyard. 

We had an incredible sighting of a Western banded snake eagle hanging out in the forest near the Little Governors’ Camp entrance. This species is a greyish-brown raptor that spends most of its time on the verges of riparian woodlands, where it sits for long periods.

A western banded snake eagle – photo credit Maureen Gathoni 

According to Shiv Kapila of the Kenya Bird of Prey Trust, “The Western banded snake eagle is uncommon and demands the best quality habitat with a healthy snake population; therefore, they’re good indicators of a thriving ecosystem.”

Other raptor encounters included a beautiful martial eagle perched on a heavy branch. These are the largest African birds of prey, with a wingspan measuring just under three meters from tip to tip.

Last year, these top predators hit international headlines when images surfaced of a fledgling martial snatching a three-week-old lion cub from the open plains. Based on the young bird’s behaviour, it was suspected that a female martial had killed the cub for the fledgling.

Martial eagles are known for their hunting prowess – photo credit Maureen Gathoni. 

Thank you to Maureen Gathoni and Ann Aveyard for the supporting imagery.

If you’d like to learn more about a January safari, please visit the link below.

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