April 2010 : Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania

This beautiful old Buffalo bull peacefully living out his later years on the Sasakwa plains. We literally see him every morning as he moves between the Lake, his grazing pastures and chosen shade area for the day. He is a creature of habit in this regard, and can be found in the same thickets on most days.
The weather is the only constant over the last few months as the rain keeps falling.

It has rained constantly since last year November; the odd short dry spell not long enough to enable us to implement our annual burn programme. The entire Western Corridor of the Serengeti National Park has received good rains and it will be very interesting to monitor the movement of the Great Wildebeest Migration this year. Large herds started to gather in the central areas around Seronera toward the end of April. Luckily for us we have the short grass plains off Nyasirori and Sabora where good concentrations of Topi, Zebra, Thommies and resident herds of Buffalo always congregate. Large flocks of Cattle Egrets (Bubulcus ibis) were found with our Buffalo herds. Small to large flocks being very common and widespread but preferring damper grasslands and cultivated areas. Flocks often fly in disorderly lines with rapid direct wing beats

This beautiful Elephant Bull was encountered with a small breeding herd off the Serengeti Plains. The herd was seen often this month between Sasakwa and Butamtam Plains, in wooded areas, but more often on the open savanna, where we watched him feast on a number of herbaceous plants. In a typical wet season up to 70% of an Elephants diet will consist of grasses, young trees and shrubs. Thomson gazelle (Gazelle rufifrons) off the Sabora Plains prefer heavily grazed, trampled or burnt grasslands, and are quite happy to follow on after the larger herbivores. They are migratory animals without lasting ties between individuals. Each individual shares with many others a particular home range within which activities such as going to water, resting and moving to fresh pastures are often coordinated. Such associations may number up to one hundred or more.

The Butamtam male was having a hard time locating a Lioness in the long grass. She was hunting amongst the large herds of Zebra and Topi off the Rahu Drainage Line, stealthily approaching watering points. The Game Viewer was caught out momentarily behind her as she appeared in the grass, positioning herself between us and the herd of Topi. She dropped down soon thereafter and continued the hunt.

She continued unsuccessfully for about an hour, after which they both settled down for the day, still a distance away from each other. It is always difficult to assess behavioral patterns, and in this case she appeared to not give off any oestrus signs, nor did he pressure her at any point.

The Butamtam and Nyasirori prides were seen on a few occasions on the short grass plains off the Nyasirori Ranger Post. Pictured here are is a wonderful example of a sub adult learning to scan an area for potential prey and also honing his climbing skills. The two new Lioness and three youngsters are also pictured; unfortunately did not let us get too close.

Still, it is an indication of the ever increasing Lion density on our concession. Pictured here is the Butamtam male. Thanks Medard and Adas for the photographs.

Medard and Mishi were out one morning on a training drive when they came across an adult male Leopard hunting Impala of Old Askari Camp Road. They watched with interest from about a hundred meters as he circled and closed in on the Impala. Unfortunately, as so often happens, a gust of wind gave away his position and the Impala moved off. From a distance he seemed totally relaxed and slowly meandered off into the woodland.

He eventually decided on the shade of a False Marula (Lannea schweinfurthii) and then we took turns in watching him for the day. Picture here you can see how well they are able to blend in with the environment, and what we are up against when looking for these elusive creatures.

By early evening, we had managed to move really close to him and he was very comfortable with the presence of the Game Viewer. We waited as long as the light allowed, even moving a considerable distance from him in the hope he would climb down; but disappointingly he did not budge. We went out again early the following morning to look for him, but unfortunately there was no sign of him anywhere.  We have recorded his facial spot markings, so will hopefully be able to identify him again in the future.

A rare sighting of Cheetah this month -  two young males looking out for signs of danger. This small glaborous parasitic plant (Plicosepalus meridianus) has recently been noticed on many Glossy–leaved Corkwood (Commiphora schrimperi) in the vicinity of Sasakwa hill.  This small parasite has a beautiful pink or red flower with a green tip.  The flower grows to about 4cm in length.  The leaves of the plant are sub orbicular and the petals of the plant are greenish in colour and are quite noticeably contorted and reflexed. This plant is very similar to the orchid genus (Polystachya or Aerangis), where the roots of the plant spread out along the branches and stems of the host plant has long, thin tentacles.  These tentacles either take root into the stem or they simply attach themselves to the surface of the host plant, which in the plants found around Sasakwa hill, the host plant is always the Commiphora. This parasitic plant is uncommon and found mostly in dry bush land at a range of altitudes between 100 - 1400 meters.

Phragmanthera dschallensis (Loranthus dschallensis) has oblong to linear leaves tapering gradually at the base, the flower is up to five cm long, and it is found mostly in Combretum country. Nearly all members of the family are parasitic. On Sasakwa hill almost all examples are hosted by the Natal Rhus (Rhus natalensis). Dotted Borders (Mylothris agathine) and Brown–veined Whites (Belenois aurota) feeding on a pile of dried Buffalo dung.

We quiet often forget about and take for granted what I consider to be one of the most beautiful of all the antelope family, the Impala (Aepyceros melampus). 

The adult males have long narrow horns with well spaced annulations, that arch up and out and then back and up. Females and related offspring will form clans of up to 120 animals. Although gregarious, neither male nor female will form any lasting relationships. As the rains continue to fall and daylight hours transform, we eagerly await one of the world’s greatest natural wonders, the arrival of the Wildebeest Migration.