The buzz is all about the wildebeest river crossings, but it’s important to make sure the gnus don’t steal the whole show: the Mara especially offers incredible big cat sightings, and the exclusivity and freedom of the conservancy comes into its own in busy August. The key to this quarter is giving yourself enough time to catch a crossing or two, but also to explore the territory beyond the river. A great way to do this is through walking and adventure flycamping – the cooler, drier weather at this time of year makes getting out on foot the perfect way to get to grips with these stunning landscapes.
TANZANIA
KENYA
It’s that time of year when the wildebeest make their legendary river crossings. In July, the early herds explode across the water in their hundreds of thousands, breaking off into smaller factions for grazing. Grass fires in June and July herald new shoots for them to eat, and the location of these fires governs some of their micro-movements across the plains. Roughly half the wildebeest population stays in Tanzania, while the other half heads over the border to Kenya. They cross back and forth over the Mara River following storms, being chased by predators, and seeking new grasslands.
KENYA
Once the herds arrive from Tanzania, the crossings begin, and our Nkorombo Mobile Camp is in an especially active area. Innumerable wildebeest fill out the plains, swelled by the Loita population joining their numbers to the migration throughout MNC & MMNR.
The river is the focal point: crocodile killing wildebeest, hippos lounging, and elephant meandering along the banks and up into camp. With the grass grazed back by the herds, oribi, warthog and buffalo are easy to spot, while rock hyrax and klipspringer seek protective vantage points in the kopjes as the grasses vanish. It’s a great time to witness the bizarre spectacle of ostriches mating, and lion sightings around the Kenyan border tend to be excellent during this period. Black rhino are usually visible around Makutano and Balagonja too.
KENYA
The Mara water level drops, and the wildebeest stampede across. The enormous herds supplement the prey species, and make for easy pickings for the big cats – helped by the grazing thinning out the grass and making both predator and prey more easily visible. Everything is full, fat and happy, including the 4-500 impala hanging around Serian (The Original) and Ngare Serian, making for tasty treats for the leopard. Rhino sightings come into their own at Nkorombo Mobile Camp.
The river crossings are where to train your lens: huge wildebeest herds thundering up the dust and exploding across the water, crocodile action, and the dazzle of zebra joining the fray. Away from the river, the plains are filled with wildlife, and big cats on a backdrop of scattered savannah rain and smoke-infused skies make for stunning subjects.
KENYA
Much the same as in Tanzania, the river crossings are where it’s at – the key is to get the spectacle from both angles, so you see the herds coming toward you across the water as well as heading away. Patience is of the essence, and is always rewarded.
Short walks from camp are a wonderful way of putting the big picture together: the focus tends to be on the macro elements, such as insects, birds, and flora, and building an understanding of the fascinating ways in which the entire system is interconnected. The landscape consists of big open spaces, layers of hills and geography, and herds in the distance – very conducive to a wander on the wild side. A 2-day walk down to the river, flycamping in between, can be a great way of accessing the beauty on offer.
KENYA
We use our private conservation area, which only we have access to: no cars allowed, and 4km of our own riverfront. The emphasis is on short walks, which are intense, big game experiences: you will likely encounter buffalo, elephant and hippo as well as more unusual species like Chandler’s mountain reedbuck, klipspringer, and oribi. Climbing up the escarpment gives beautiful expansive views over MNC, and you walk in the company of scouts who patrol the area every day and who can share their intimate knowledge with you. Follow them as they react to the bush signals that will dictate the nature of your walk. Stop at ‘The Nest’, our tree house, for a picnic breakfast… Hang out with a book and watch the hippos, before slowly wending your way back to camp. Walks can range from gentle strolls to a sweaty hike, and all ages can participate.
The cornerstone of a safari experience at Serian is that each group has their own open-top safari vehicle, and their own dedicated guide and spotter. The freedom this grants you is key to getting the most out of your stay: go where the day takes you, without the limitations of fixed schedules, or fitting in with other peoples’ plans. Nothing but personal desire need dictate what you do.
Our vehicles are specially customised to be a climbing frame, and a photographer’s extra tool. They are comfortable, able to handle the terrain, and cover the distance…. And were designed for sun, rain, wind, and above all, the feeling of having as little as possible separating you from what’s out there.
Our guides and spotters are intimately familiar with these special places, so they know all its secrets and the ways the animals interact with it, from the subtle changes of the seasons, to the stages of an animals lifecycle, to the flora that sustains it all – they are the key that can unlock it all for you.
We can also do night drives in Serian’s Serengeti South, Serian, and Ngare Serian. Red-filter spotlights illuminate the nocturnal world without dazzling the wildlife, so you can watch the night come alive with no disturbance to the animals. Take a flask of soup and a blanket, and enjoy the wilderness by starlight.
Offroad driving is also permitted in Serian’s Serengeti South, Serian – The Original, and Ngare Serian, so you can roam and explore as you wish.
It’s the dry season, and mornings and nights are crisp and cool. The grass fires in June make for stunning sunsets, and there is the occasional scattered storm that helps keep the wildebeest moving about in search of grazing. The dry conditions means that the condensation that collects on our roofs keeps fresh shoots coming up around the tents, bringing the wildebeest right into camp at night to nibble on these tasty shoots.
The secret is to take your time – come for a minimum of 4-5 nights, and also be prepared to wait out the river crossings… It’s always worth expending a little patience. For a real taste of the Northern Serengeti, combine a walking safari with 3-4 nights of flycamping.
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