Grumeti & Lamai: April 2026

April arrived with a quiet sense of surprise. A month that usually marks the peak of the rainy season instead unfolded under largely dry skies, gently transforming the landscape. The once muddy tracks quickly became firm and easy to navigate, while the vibrant green grasslands began to fade into softer shades of gold and brown. The Grumeti River, which only last month was overflowing its banks, dropped significantly, its waters running low and clear and revealing a rarely seen side of the river for this time of year. With nearly three weeks passing without rainfall, the shift was noticed by all. Yet, just as the dryness began to define the month, the rain returned in the final days of April. Over the last five days, steady showers have refreshed the land, bringing a subtle but welcome revival. The dust has settled, the air carries a renewed freshness, and hints of green are beginning to reappear across the plains.

Within this contrast from unseasonal dryness to a gentle resurgence of rain, the ecosystem continues to show its resilience. Wildlife moves and adapts with ease, adjusting to shifting conditions through instincts shaped over generations.

April offered a unique and rewarding chapter for lion sightings, cued by the month’s weather and the shifting tones of the landscape. As the grass began to turn from green to gold and brown, it created exceptional camouflage, blending almost perfectly with the lions’ coats and making each sighting feel even more special. Despite this, encounters were more frequent than the previous month, with lions often seen moving across the open plains especially during the cooler hours of the day. As temperatures rose, they would melt into the tall, dry grass, challenging the eye but adding a sense of excitement to every discovery. Over the course of the month, we were fortunate to observe six different prides across the reserve.

Cheetahs

April unfolded with steady, comfortable conditions for elephants, with food and water still readily available across different parts of the reserve. Herds were seen in various locations, moving confidently through the grasslands now shifting into rich golden grass and feeding at a consistent pace as they went. Their movements remained relaxed and unhurried, reflecting the abundance that still supported them. As each day progressed, elephants frequently made use of scattered water points and soft, muddy patches, where they cooled off and maintained their body temperature under the warm sun. These gatherings also encouraged gentle social interaction, with calves exploring, adults communicating, and groups lingering together in a calm and composed manner.

Buffalo herds remained widely distributed across the reserve in April and were seen in many areas of the open plains. With the reduction in rainfall for the first three weeks of the month, they were often observed congregating around larger water sources such as Sasakwa Dam and other seasonal pools, particularly during mid-morning hours. These gatherings provided excellent viewing opportunities, as large herds came together to drink, displaying their strong group formations and creating impressive scenes across the landscape.

General plains game viewing in April remained rewarding. Giraffes were sighted almost daily, wandering widely across the reserve as they browsed over large areas. Meanwhile, zebras, topis, gazelles, and a few resident wildebeest were consistently observed on the short-grass plains of Nyati and the higher ground of Nyasirori. These areas continued to attract general game, offering visitors reliable and enjoyable wildlife sightings across the open landscape.