GOVERNORS' CAMP

Walking and game reports.

Month: July 2006

 

Weather and grasslands:

General weather patterns have varied this month with pockets of rain throughout, most of this rainfall came in from the escarpment in the North West, total rainfall for July is 29mm. Early morning temperatures average 15ºc and midday temperatures up to 29ºc. The grasses on the lowland plains are still long and drying out with long stems of Red Oat and Sporobolus.

The night sky has been full and bright with many good constellations to be seen, Ursa Major (the Big Dipper), Crux (the Southern Cross), Scorpius and the bright star Rigil Kentaurus.

 

General Game:

Good numbers of Topi can still be found on the Paradise and Musiara plains another good area is the grassland areas of Topi plains. Thomson Gazelle with many young fawns can be seen on the short grass plains in the Koiyaki conservation areas and within the short grass plains of the reserve. A good sized breeding herd of Cape buffalo can be seen on the Bila Shaka and Paradise plains. Many of Elephant with young have temporarily moved away from the Marsh and riverine woodlands and good areas to see them is in the acacia woodlands to the east. Giraffe with many calves and in good sized herds can be seen within the woodland fringes of the Marsh and out as far as the acacia woodlands in the conservation areas. Eland can also be seen on the paradise plains and in the conservation areas of Koiyaki. Defassa Waterbuck in good numbers can be seen with in the woodland fringes between the Governors camps, a large satellite herd of males can be seen in the same area as well. Olive Baboons are abundant with a very large troop and many infants that can be seen within the grass land areas close to the riverine woodlands and on the roadside shoulders. Kongoni or Cokes Hartebeest can be seen in small herds within the Paradise and the Musiara Marsh. Spotted Hyenas with many young cubs of varying ages can be seen all over the grassland areas, another Hyenid the Aardwolf are being more frequently being seen by driver guides and these are specialist feeders in that they are insectivorous.  Bat eared Fox's with pups are more commonly seen on the short grass plains, evenings and early mornings are good times to see them. The Black Rhino and her calf have been seen in the conservancy near the oloololo gate.

 

Lion:

The Bila Shaka pride of one male, four females, four sixteen-month-old male cubs and four thirteen-month old cubs. They have been seen feeding off Wildebeest and the many available Zebra. They are still seen within the Musiara and Bila Shaka areas.

The Paradise pride of three males, five breeding females, three sub-adults, six nine-month old cubs, four five-month old cubs and one three month old cub. This pride can be seen anywhere between the Rhino Ridge/Paradise plains and around the paradise crossing points on the Mara River. Their diet is similar to the other Lion prides at this time of the year with Wildebeest and Zebra being plentiful. The three males travel about can spend long times away from the main pride.

The maternity/ridge pride of 27 members; including two males, eight breeding females, eleven sub adults and six cubs of which four are estimated at six months old. We understand that there are some new editions within this pride. We are unsure of age groups or numbers at this stage as this pride has not been seen often enough this month.

The Rhino ridge pride of 2 breeding females, 2 males and 3 ten month old cubs are seen within the Rhino ridge, southern side plains of Bila Shaka and have again been seen far as Topi plains. They have been feeding off Zebra and wildebeest.

The Single Gorge/Acacia pride of 5 breeding females and a 'new' male. These lion move in large circles within the Koiyaki area and have been feeding off Buffalo and Wildebeest. There are four sub adults estimated at 2½ years old and they are seemingly often seen on there own, they are looking very thin and have been seen on the open plains above the 'fly over'.

 

 Cheetah:

 

A single female with five cubs estimated at three months old have been seen daily in the grassland plains below Kichwa Tembo Camp.

The lone male; who has been seen near the Musiara gate and Musiara plains is said to be feeding off Thomson Gazelle and their fawns.

A young female is still being sighted more frequently near the Musiara gate and also north of the windmill. On the 17th she was last seen with a Thomson Gazelle near to the Musiara gate.

 

The coalition of the three males have been reported to have moved to the other side of the Talek River and we have no further details other than to what we have heard.

 

 Leopard:

Zawadi and her seven month old cub have not been sighted this month.

 

A male has also been seen in the woodland areas of Paradise plains and also near the Serena pump house.

Bella has been seen again this month on the Talek River.

 

Walking in the Koiyaki Conservation Area.

 

Many of the grassland areas of Koiyaki are thinning out with the help of livestock and wildlife. Good many species of wildlife are being seen within the woodlands and grassland plains. The weather has been very favourable. Elephant are being seen in good numbers within the acacia woodlands as can be seen by the damaged trees.

The Acacia/ Gorge pride of five females and one male have been seen often and are feeding off wildebeest and buffalo. Eland are about in small herds and commonly seen in the acacia woodlands. Good numbers of resident wildebeest and Zebra are seen throughout the grassland areas with many passing through the woodlands.

Hyenas are being very active with two dens being found and many young of varying ages. They are being seen feeding off Zebra and Wildebeest. 

Governors' Camp wins The Sunday Times Travel Magazine award for the World's Best WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE