January has once again been a wet month with rain most days, conditions extremely damp and much of the grasslands flooded. The Grumeti river and other drainage lines flowing strong with thick chocolate surges.

Plumes of colourful Butterflies gather at the puddle edges and amongst the many wildflowers dotted throughout the grasslands. Wherever you may explore you are sure to be accompanied by a chorus of different Frog species calling.

When the sun breaks through the clouds, its touch is warm and strong. Nature grasps at the chance to dry out just a little before the next storm rolls in.

A sightings snapshot for January

Lions

• The Butamtam pride have been sighted regularly this month, moving from the central plains to the southern border, following prey species.
• The pride is strong despite the challenging conditions and the Butamtam Lionesses have successfully brought down Buffalo on a number of occasions this month.
• The Ridge pride have been sighted too on the Northern side of Sasakwa hill, occasionally pushing up onto the top of the hill to hunt during the night.
• We often hear the Ridge pride calling at dusk close to Sasakwa airstrip at the bottom of the Northern slopes of Sasakwa hill.
• The Nyasirori pride have offered good sightings this month with some Lionesses seen pinching Impala from Sabora camp under the cover of darkness.
• The West pride have been holding their ground on the Raho drainage, close to Marula Explore despite challenges from two powerful nomadic male Lions that have strayed from the national park.

 

Leopard:

 

• Leopard activity has been good on Sasakwa hill this month. There have been fantastic numbers of Impala taking up residence in the area and we have witnessed a number of kills as a result.
• The Sasakwa hill female was sighted laying on the warm concrete strips just after dark on the northern access. She had been sighted close to Sabayaya as well as on an Impala kill close to Kivulini guiding department.
• A shy male was sighted on the Nyasirori high ground.
• Another male sighted on the southern side of Arab camp hill.
• The Boundary Pan male was sighted with a young Zebra foal kill
• The large Sasakwa male was sighted between Serengeti house and the base of Sasakwa hill guest access.
• Another shy male sighted close to Serengeti Hill, Sasakwa plains.

 

Cheetah:

 

• Cheetah sighting have been trickling in this month and we have had some good sightings in the west and central areas.
• A female was sighted on the Nyasirori high ground, close to Sabora camp.
• A male Cheetah sighted south of Koroya hill.
• The same male was sighted with an Impala kill just North of Pundamilia hill.
• Another female sighted in the Boundary Pan region with a Thompsons Gazelle kill.
• The Koroya hill male Cheetah was sighted further south towards the Nyati plains
• A sub adult male was sighted close to Mbuni crossing, West of Sabora camp.

 

 

Elephant:

 

• Elephant numbers have been great this month with many family groups being seen across the reserve.
• A breading herd of 20 sighted on Chui drainage.
• A small herd of 7 sighted just south of Chui Link.
• A large herd of 40 sighted at Kigelia Crossing
• A breading herd of 15 sighted at the old shooting range hill
• A single large bull sighted just north of Sasakwa dam
• A breading herd of 21 sighted west of the airstrip feeding along the Rubana
• Aggregations of close to 200 animals sighted rolling across the Sasakwa plains

 

• 70 individuals sighted feeding along the Grumeti river close to the old Germa bridge.
• 2 large bulls sighted close to Sabora camp
• A herd of 40 sighted on the eastern slopes of Sasakwa hill
• Good numbers of Elephants sighted in and around the Albizia woodland, Eastern Mkomure drainage
• A large adult bull sighted close to OP 2

Buffalo:

 

• Large Buffalo herds have been impressive this month accompanied by huge numbers of Cattle Egrets in tow.
• A herd of 400 strong sighted on the Sasakwa plain
• A herd 300 seen west of Sabora lodge.
• A herd of 14 bulls sighted on a number of occasions with a single cow and very young calf. The herd moves between the Sasakwa plain and the top of Sasakwa hill. An interesting dynamin that has raised some good discussions.
• A breading herd of 200 sighted just North of Koroya hill.
• A herd of 12 bulls sighted close to Sabora camp
• A herd of 6 bulls sighted at Martin Hill
• A herd of 250 sighted on the Nyasirori high ground.
• A herd of 90 sighted on the Rhino Rocks
• This month we have seen more extensive movements from the Buffalo herds as they search for the dryer high ground.
• Shifting significantly as they are harassed by Lions and Hyena during the nights.

 

Rhino:

 

• The Rhino in the IPZ continue to thrive
• Other individuals in the greater reserve also do well with sightings of 7 individuals together recorded.

Other Interesting Sightings:

 

• The Southern Ground Hornbills nesting on the Grumeti river continue to do very well. The chick is strong and is growing extremely fast.
• Some fantastic Giraffe herds sighted this month
• Great numbers of Eland, Zebra and Gazelle sighted on the Nyasirori high ground
• Good Bat – eared Fox sightings on the Nyasirori high ground
• The single female Roan Antelope has been spending time close to Sasakwa dam this month
• Lovely Zebra numbers on the Nyati Plains
• An active Hyena den site with 3 very young cubs on the Nyasirori high ground
• A Pangolin sighted just south of OP 7 on the 4^{th of} January
• Some lovely new bird sightings including a Yellow – crowned Bishop and Common Moorhen
• The migratory Whinchat has been sighted on the Sasakwa plains

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