Singita Grumeti: July 2021
Singita Grumeti: July 2021
July was a very dry month with large herds of the migratory animals moving across the plains in long lines heading northeast of the concession, and predators continued to feast on the buffet of the Serengeti eco-system.
The long grass has been trampled by wildebeests and zebras this month as they made their way through Grumeti Reserve, and with the grass being shorter we saw more cats including lions, leopards and cheetahs all looking very healthy as food supply was abundant.
Grumeti River water level has gone down but is still gently flowing. Migratory animals drink whilst crossing and making their way north. We are privileged though, as not only migratory animals come to drink, but also resident species like elephants, buffalos, giraffes, impala, and waterbuck are regularly found enjoying the steady flow.
Here’s a sightings snapshot for July:
Lions
- Three Nyasirori male lions were seen on the burnt section at Nyasirori area. Butamtam pride spent most of their time at Manangai drainage, south of Sasakwa Lodge where the migration passed for most of July.
- Nyasirori pride have 14 new cubs, seen at Raho drainage. They are approximately two months old.
- Butamtam pride have three new cubs seen at Chui drainage. They are approximately two months old.
Leopards
- Grumeti North female daughter was seen often west of Grumeti North Hill, Sand Road and Watershed area.
- A big male was seen around Eagle Nest drainage.
- A female sighted at Old School, Chui drainage and Pundamilia Hill.
- Mating pair, male and female sighted at Serengeti Hill.
Cheetahs
- Sasakwa male was seen regularly, south of Arab Camp thicket.
- Nyasirori female was seen southeast of Nyasirori Ranger Post.
- New female with three cubs of about six months old were seen west of Sabora. This female is new in the area. The cubs are still very shy at this stage.
Elephants
- Elephants continue to be seen in small herds in Ikorongo, Marula Explore and Sasakwa areas. Due to migratory animals being around, elephants separated into smaller herds as they gave space to this annual magic of the Serengeti/Mara ecosystem.
Hyenas
- Hyenas were seen in good numbers at Rhino Rocks, Sabora plains, Nyasirori area and Gambaranyera plain.
Buffalos
- Different large herds of over 300 buffalos were seen in Gambaranyera plain, Sabora plain, Ikorongo and Sasakwa plain.
- With most areas being dry, Sasakwa Dam was flooded with buffalos early in the morning and late in the afternoon.
Rhinos
- Eric the black rhino is doing well, and he was seen often feeding around the edge of the fence.
Plains game
- Plains game have spread through many areas of the concession, and this brings a nice balance of small antelopes like gazelles, which are now seen in abundance unlike April, May and June.
