As the dry season sets in, Mugie Conservancy is buzzing with exciting wildlife activity and conservation efforts. From numerous sightings of all the Big Cats to vital conservation training, our team has worked hard to ensure that Mugie remains a top destination for nature lovers and responsible travellers. 

Sightings on Mugie Conservancy – photo credit Alisa Karstad 

Cheetah Conservation and Training Initiatives

This month, Governors’ Mugie and Mugie Conservancy guides received specialised cheetah training from the Serendipity Cheetah Project team. The focus was on illegal wildlife trafficking and cheetah conservation, empowering our team to protect these animals more effectively.

Governors’, Mugie Conservancy and Serendipity Cheetah Project teams- photo credit Alisa Karstad 

We are currently monitoring a coalition of two male cheetahs, one of which wears a telemetry collar. This innovative technology provides essential data on their movements, helping us understand their behaviour and territory within the conservancy. 

The male cheetah known as Chongo – photo credit Ryan Smart 

Cheetah brothers Mwawil and Chongo – photo credit Ryan Smart 

Mwawil – photo credit Ryan Smart 

Leopard encounters

For those fascinated by leopards, there has been a thrilling new development! A beautiful female leopard has been frequenting our waterhole below the main house. Our discreetly sunken wildlife hide provides an extraordinary opportunity for guests to witness this elusive predator up close.

Wild dog sightings

Adding to the conservancy’s incredible biodiversity, a pack of approximately seven African wild dogs has been sighted on Mugie Conservancy. These highly social and endangered predators are known for covering vast distances, but we are hopeful they will settle here.

The Conservancy offers an ideal environment for them, including protected habitat and abundant prey populations. If luck is on our side, visitors may soon enjoy the rare and thrilling experience of watching these fascinating animals thrive in our landscape. 

Striped hyenas

Mugie is also home to a thriving population of striped hyenas (Hyaena hyaena), one of Africa’s most elusive carnivores. Unlike their more famous spotted cousins, striped hyenas are solitary and largely nocturnal, making sightings a rare and fascinating experience.

Despite the challenges of habitat changes and competition with larger predators, the striped hyena population in Mugie Conservancy is doing well. Their nocturnal habits and elusive nature make them difficult to monitor, but regular sightings and track observations suggest a stable and healthy population

A striped hyena – photo credit Ryan Smart

The beauty of the Dry Season

The landscape is changing as the dry season transitions, making wildlife easier to spot against the golden grasses. This is an excellent time for a safari, as animals congregate around water sources making them easier to find. 

Photo credit Felix Rome

The bird life has also been exciting for us, with many colorful species to be found around the lush gardens and water sources at Governors’ Mugie. The highlight must be the pale-morph African paradise flycatcher, which has established a territory around the lodge.

All starlings love an infinity pool – photo credit Felix Rome

Lion dynamics and a new generation

The Mbogani (Eastern) pride

Mugie has long been a haven for several resident prides of lions. Among its most iconic is the Mbogani Pride, which has carved out a territory within the conservancy’s borders. In late November 2024, we were fortunate enough to witness a crucial moment in their ongoing story as they mated with the dominant males in the area. Now, just a few months later, we are delighted to welcome a new generation.

Vida – photo credit Felix Rome

On February 24, 2025, I encountered a den deep within an extremely dense bush. Peering through the thick vegetation, I spotted three tiny cubs, though I strongly suspect there may be more hidden from view. At this early stage, the cubs’ eyes are still completely shut—a natural part of their development. Lion cubs are born blind and rely entirely on their mother for protection and nourishment. 

Mbogani lioness – photo credit Felix Rome

Lions have a gestation period of approximately 110 days (about three and a half months), meaning the birth of these cubs aligns perfectly with the late November mating we observed.  During this critical period, the expectant mother seeks out a secluded, safe location to give birth. She will remain hidden with her cubs for the first few weeks, only periodically emerging to hunt and feed. This ensures the cubs are safe from threats, including rival males and other predators. 

At birth, lion cubs weigh around 1 to 2 kilograms and depend entirely on their mother. Their eyes remain shut for about 1.5 weeks, gradually opening as they explore their immediate surroundings. Meanwhile, their vision remains cloudy for a few weeks until it fully develops. During this early stage, their primary focus is on nursing and gaining strength before they are introduced to the rest of the pride at around six to eight weeks old. 

As the days pass, we will continue monitoring the new generation of the Mbogani Pride. It will be fascinating to see how many cubs have been born and how they grow under the protection of their mother and pride. With time, they will join their older siblings and begin to navigate the complex social structure of lion life on Mugie Conservancy. We are grateful for this incredible addition to the ecosystem and look forward to sharing more updates on these tiny but mighty newcomers.

Dada – photo credit Felix Rome

The Kichaka Pride

The Kichaka Pride of Mugie Conservancy is a force to be reckoned with. Sixteen strong, with three formidable males standing as their guardians, they rule the landscape with a majestic yet fearsome presence. As one of the most dominant prides in the area, their movements are closely monitored for research and to prevent potential human-wildlife conflict. 

The Kichaka Pride – photo credit Felix Rome

On the night of February 23rd, a crucial mission was set in motion – to replace the telemetry collar on Bast, an integral female member of the group. Her collar provides invaluable data on the pride’s movements and is a key tool in ensuring they remain within the conservancy’s safe bounds. 

At first light, 06:30 sharp, I set out to track the pride, working closely with Mugie Conservancy and the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS). Time was not on our side as the KWS vet only had one day to assist before moving on to other urgent cases across Laikipia. Hours passed as I searched tirelessly, finally locating the pride deep within an incredibly dense valley at around 14:00. However, there was one major setback: KWS was delayed due to another emergency and could not dart Bast until 17:00. 

As the sun dipped behind Mugie’s rugged horizon, darkness began to take hold. Knowing the lions’ precise location, I jumped into the KWS vehicle with the vet, plunging into the near-impenetrable brush. Even an army tank would struggle to push through this terrain, but we pressed on. 

We eventually located them and Bast was quickly sedated. With precision and urgency, the team swiftly replaced her collar and took the opportunity to gather crucial data. An analysis of her teeth and body condition estimated her age at around nine years. After sixteen hours of relentless effort, the mission was a success.

Collaring Bast – photo credit Ryan Smart

Bast, groggy but unharmed, awoke to rejoin her pride, carrying a new collar that will help protect her pride and the communities living around Mugie. This was more than just a collaring operation—it was a testament to resilience, teamwork, and an unwavering commitment to conservation. The Kichaka Pride remains a dominant force on Mugie, and with the help of dedicated efforts like this, they will continue to roam these lands for generations to come. 

Plan your stay at Governors’ Mugie

Whether you are a seasoned wildlife enthusiast or a first-time safari-goer, Mugie Conservancy promises an unforgettable experience. We have an array of immersive activities to keep you entertained, whether walking in the wild with our seasoned safari guides or canoeing on the dam and enjoying the serenity of nature. 

By Ryan Smart, Activities Manager for Governors’ Mugie, Laikipia.