September has been a relatively dry month with only one large 30mm soaking at the very end of the month. The Grumeti river is still flowing, although at a much lower level, but still providing drinking water for elephants and other herds of buffalo and zebra.

Huge numbers of wildebeests are coming back onto the property coming from the North (Lamai and Kogatende).

With the Wildebeest passing through, heading south-west deep into the Serengeti National Park, we have seen fantastic plains wildlife in general across the reserve. Many thousands of Zebra continue to roam the Grumeti Reserves, with lovely Gazelle numbers, Giraffe and Eland.

The scorched ground from recent fires has started growing new shoots, attracting Gazelles in good numbers and providing great open and short grass plains grazing for zebras and topi.

Lion:

• 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 relaxed within the presence of game viewers and have been establishing themselves with confidence a short distance away from the north-eastern side of the hill, on the drainage line. The pride is growing, with nine cubs of different ages.
• 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 on the property which makes a change of feeding dynamics, from mainly Bufalo to Zebra and Wildebeest.
• The Nyasirori pride continue to be sighted south of the Sabora plains, offering some lovely sightings close to Sabora Camp.
• The Ridge pride has moved to the ridge hills and Sabora plains where they been spending most of their time.

Leopard:

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

Cheetah:

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

Elephant:

• Elephant numbers have been outstanding again this month.
• We have seen incredible numbers strolling across the Sasakwa plains and at Sasakwa Dam, drinking and bathing.
• As water levels continues to drop, elephant activity in the Grumeti river has provided great viewing as they have been utilizing the river more frequently during the heat of the day and visiting at night too.
• Aggregations of breading herds have been seen up to 100 strong in the Eastern regions of Ikorongo and in the western rain tree woodlands.
• Good breeding herds sighted in the Lamai triangle and Romoti.

Buffalo:

• Fantastic Buffalo numbers sighted all over the reserve.
• Lovely sightings of herds of 300 scattered in different areas of Ikorongo.
• Again, catching the buffalo herds coming to drink on the river during the heat of the day providing some exciting stuff! Throw a herd of zebras and giraffes into the mix too, with lions waiting in ambush and you’ve got your work cut out for you!
• Large breeding herds have been sighted all over the property.
• Some great buffalo bulls also observed with varied horn sizes, shapes and breadth.
• Good number of buffalo bulls grazing up on Sasakwa Hill.
• Many young calves sighted within the herds, testament to their success over the years of great conservation efforts.

Rhino:

• Rhino sightings in the IPZ have been lovely this month.
• The bull (Eric) has been frequently sighted 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 wild.
• Other Rhino individuals on the reserve are fit and well. All young calves are accounted for, fit and strong.
• The Rhino teams continue to keep a close eye on these individuals as they disperse over considerable distances including in areas of the Serengeti National Park.

Other Interesting Sightings:

• This month has been rather a special month for the early arrival of intra African migrants.
• A Caracal was sighted at Sasakwa plains.
• A Serval cat has been sighted at Nyati plains and South of Sasakwa hills.
• Great numbers of Wildebeest and Zebra surging through the reserve this month.
• Huge herds of Topi sighted out on the Kawanga plains and West of Gambaranyera plains.

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