September 2024

Singita Grumeti & Lamai

Share:

Singita Grumeti & Lamai: September 2024

September has been a relatively dry month with only one large 30mm soaking at the very end of the month. The Grumeti River still flows with the level being low, but is still providing drinking water for elephants and other herds of buffaloes and zebras.

Huge numbers of wildebeest are coming back onto the property coming from the north (Lamai and Kogatende). As they head south-west deep into Serengeti National Park we have seen fantastic plains wildlife in general across the reserve. Many thousands of zebras continue to roam the Grumeti Reserve, lovely gazelle numbers, giraffe and eland.

The scorched ground from a fire has started sending up new shoots that attract gazelles in good number as well as zebras and topi.

Here’s a sightings snapshot for September:

Lions:

  • Lion sightings this month have been nothing short of awesome! We have had some great viewing of different lion interaction on the property.
  • The once shy Momukomule Pride are now fully relaxing with the presence of game viewers and establishing themselves with confidence a short distance away from the north-eastern side of the hill, on the drainage. The pride is getting bigger with nine cubs of different age.
  • The Butamtam Pride have been observed this month in the Koroya Hill region, further south towards Chui drainage and the Pundamilia acacia woodlands.
  • The lions have fed well with the great number of zebras in the property which make the change of feeding dynamics from mainly buffaloes to zebras and wildebeest.
  • Nyasirori Pride continue to be seen south of Sabora plains offering some relaxed sightings close to Sabora camp.
  • Ridge Pride has moved to the ridge hills and Sabora plains where they been spending most of their time.

Leopards:

  • Leopard sightings this month have been great.
  • The Mbogo drainage female has been seen more frequently around Faru Faru Lodge, and south of the lodge.
  • The Serengeti Hill male leopard was seen on the scrapes and at Serengeti Hill.
  • The Grumeti North male was seen on several occasions at Grumeti North drainage.
  • A shy male has been seen frequently along the Grumeti River at German Bridge area.
  • The Momukomule male has been seen east and south of Sasakwa Hill.

Cheetahs:

  • Cheetahs have started to establish themselves on the property with the returning of their favourite prey species which are Thomson’s and Grant gazelles.
  • The resident male has been seen between Sasakwa plains and Sabora plains.
  • A female has been seen at Kawanga plains.
  • A female has been seen close to Sabora Tented Camp.

Elephants:

  • We have seen incredible numbers strolling around Sasakwa plains and Sasakwa Dam, drinking and bathing.
  • Aggregations of breeding herds have been seen up to 100 strong in the eastern regions of Ikorongo and in the western woodlands.
  • Good breeding herds seen in the Triangle and Romoti.

Buffalos:

  • Fantastic buffalo numbers seen all over the reserve!
  • A lovely sighting of herds of 300 scattered in different areas of Ikorongo.
  • Seeing the buffalo herds coming to drink in the river during the heat of the day provides some exciting viewing! Add a herd of zebras and giraffes in the mix too, with lions ambushing them, and you’ve got what safari dreams are made of!
  • Some great buffalo bulls also observed with varied horn sizes, shapes and breadth.
  • There are a good number of buffalo bulls grazing up on Sasakwa Hill.
  • Many young calves seen within the herds, testament to the years of great conservation efforts.

Rhinos:

  • The bull (Eric) has been frequently seen browsing on the hill side.
  • Zaituni, the orphaned youngster, continues to do very well. She is fully grown now and we hope to see her, in the not too distant future, return to the wilds.
  • Other rhino individuals on the reserve are fit and well. All young calves are accounted for.
  • The rhino teams continue to keep a close eye on these individuals as they disperse over considerable distances, including Serengeti National Park.

Other interesting sightings:

  • This month has been rather a special birding month with the early arrival of intra-African migrants.
  • A caracal was seen at Sasakwa plains.
  • A serval cat has been seen at Nyati plains and south of Sasakwa Hill.
  • Huge herds of Topi antelope seen out on the Kawanga plains and west of Gambaranyera plains.

Sightings for Lamai:

  • The wildebeest migration has been moving steadily into the Lamai Triangle and the open plains on the northern side of the river. Mega herds have been crossing both ways - north to south, and south to north.
  • The open plains have been a refuge for other herbivores like topi, elands, buffalos, elephants, gazelles and zebras.
  • The cat sighting has been incredible with almost daily sightings of lions, cheetahs and leopards!