The name Masai Mara is synonomous with the great African savannah and a wealth of wildlife. Featured in the Big Cat Diaries and a major draw for many tourists on safari holidays the Mara remains one of Africa’s best destinations for wildlife holidays . However, detailed research reported this month and supported by the WWF has indicated a marked decline in 7 ungulate prey species over the a 15 year period up until 2003. For example giraffe species have shown a decline in monthly counts since 1989 by up to 95%, with warthogs suffering a reduction of 80%, hartebeest 76% and impalas 67%, topi and waterbuck were also in decline. These dramatic declines had previously been reported in wildebeest, zebra and gazelles which make up the majority of the great Serengeti-Mara migration. Concommitant with the decline in prey species there has been a noted reduction in lion cheetah numbers. The reason behind this is the equally dramatic rise in Masai settlements close to the Mara ecosystem. The once pastoralist and nomadic Masai have settled in rapidly increasing numbers and effectively disrupted the flow of wildlife through the region. Having recognised this efforts are underway to ensure that the pastoralist lifestyle can contine on the borders of the Masai Mara. Hopefully based on this fundamental research and the implementation of initiatives the wildlife of the Mara can recover to ensure an ever-lasting legacy and enable future generations to enjoy the experience of Kenya safari holidays.

    Lesser kudu in the Masai Mara

You must always expect the unusual on our safari holidays! Whilst many will travel with a tick list of ‘must see’ animals, African safari holidays will always be unique and this was exemplified last week when Greg Poole, one of the camp managers in the Mara observed a lesser kudu (Tragelaphus imberbis). This species is usually found far to the north in reserves such as Meru National Park. Even the greater kudu is infrequently seen in its preferred habitat, the wooded areas of the Mara. There have been no reported sightings of lesser kudu in the Mara in at least the last 35 years, making this a truly unusual occurence and definitely keeping the thrill of going on safari very much alive!