Bushtops News January 2013

by

Kenya/Tanzania, 16^th January 2013

Picture perfect

Mara Moments

Daniel Lomoe is our head ranger at Mara Bushtops. Here’s his update on recent news.

Migration
However well we study nature, it reminds us constantly that it will not conform to our expectations. The annual wildebeest migration is a great example. Usually, the massive herds migrate from the Serengeti in mid June/July, heading north from Tanzania into Kenya and the Masai Mara. In 2012 however, the pattern changed, with the wildebeest and attendant herds of zebra arriving late and in patches.

The first groups trickled in during late July. Why so late? The main reason why the wildebeest migration was late in both Northern Serengeti and Maasai Mara was purely as a result of the delay in rainfall (change in weather pattern). For instance at the beginning of June, in Central Serengeti, it was still raining so heavily and this slowed down the movement of wildebeests to the North. They stayed here for over a month only serging to the North at the beginning of July, when they reached Nyamalumbwa area. We then had grassland burning in the Mara triangle redirecting the herds north along the river leading them to avoid crossings near the new Mara Bridge.

Nevertheless, they reached us in the end - ensuring our guests shared in this annual marvel: then came river crossings all through October, as the world’s largest migratory group of animals made their return trip to the Serengeti. The timings may have altered, but the spectacle remained as awe-inspiring as always.

Special sightings
The conservancy within which Mara Bushtops is sited acts a wildlife corridor between the eastern part of the Greater Mara and the Reserve. As such, it allows free movement for all animals, especially the larger mammals and their predators (which maintain ecosystem equilibrium).

One of the highlights is a sighting of a wild dog pack, which has established a den in the area. These globally endangered hunters are fascinating to watch - and our conservancy is one of the best places in the Greater Mara to see them. We also have a resident pride of lions, which has been spotted nearly daily since the expansion, alongside leopards and cheetahs.

In addition to these glorious predators, the conservancy’s plains teem with elephant, buffalo, giraffe and the so-called lesser animals, many of which are actually the hidden gems of the African bush.

The Greater Mara Isaaten Conservancy
In past reports we have highlighted the expansion of our Mara Bushtops conservancy. Mara Bushtops began with 100 hectares. We then expanded to a 2,600 hectare conservancy, before virtually doubling our territory. This expansion reflects mutual trust between us and local Masai landowners, built up over recent years. It has given guests at Mara Bushtops access to a substantial wildlife reserve on their doorsteps.

We continue to join hands and lands with our neighbours, linking cattle and wildlife needs into an integrated strategy for long-term development. Our plans are to consolidate a further 15,000 hectares and ensure that the local community benefits from an upturn in tourism. This will also help us absorb pressure on the main Mara Reserve.

Name and logo
Our Greater Mara Isaaten Conservancy takes its name (Isaaten) from the fruit of a tree, used for medicinal purposes. The name was chosen by our local Masai elders, representing some 3,500 land owners in the area. We have worked with English artist Kim Thompson to create a suitable logo - which as you can see, hints at just some of the elephantine delights to be had within our wonderful corner of the world.

We are proud to offer Kim’s works to our guests in both Serengeti Bushtops and Mara Bushtops. Specially selected pieces will be on display and available to purchase, with a proportion of the proceeds going towards further conservation efforts. You can also buy Kim’s work online or direct from her studio at www.elite-leather-and-canvas.com or www.kimthompsonartist.com.

Bigger surveillance team
Increasing the scale of our conservancy has meant also increasing the size of the surveillance team, so we have hired more scouts, to protect the wildlife and maintain good community relations. Trained on drills and discipline, information gathering and dissemination, our 14-strong scouting team is already doing good work. maintaining that all-important balance between human development and the conservation of flora and fauna.

Serengeti Summary

Gordon Omondi is head ranger at Serengeti Bushtops. Here is his update on another successful year in the Serengeti.

Life on the migration route
The year was very rewarding for game-viewing in the northern Serengeti. Our guests at Serengeti Bushtops enjoyed spectacular sightings of cats and the mega-herbivores - the main actors in the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem.

As usual, the Kopjes (rocky outcrops) provided cover for lions and leopards - and a clue as to where they could be spotted. Our knowledge of the land and animal behaviour helped us bring guests to the heart of the action, without impinging on the space and freedom of the wildlife.

For example, regular sightings of three cheetah brothers on the Lamai plains in the extreme north led us to witness their pursuit of the numerous Thomson gazelles in the area. We were also delighted that a female black rhino with her older calf was seen more often than in recent years, often in the sand river zone.

Yet the most special event was closer to home. In fact, it took place in our camp! Serengeti Bushtops was slap-bang on the wildebeest migratory route, as millions of herbivores headed back to their breeding grounds in the south.

At first we encountered the zebras who act as trail-blazers. They invaded the camp before the wildebeest herds followed, enabling our guests to sit back on their tent verandahs, enjoying ringside views of the magnificent spectacle provided by these grassland nomads.

Another special event was when the returning migrants crossed the river near a hippo pool. The hippos were not happy to have their peace disturbed - and decided to make their feelings known, grunting, bellowing and showing off their formidable teeth. Sensibly the wildebeests decided to look for another crossing point!

Other News

One of the most memorable aspects of a Bushtops holiday is the quality, size and comfort of our tents. The most common word used by guests to describe them is ‘spectacular’. So we thought we should take another spectacular step forward, working alongside the company who make our tents (Elite Leather and Canvas) to promote their superb, chic range of safari luggage. It augments our existing Bushtops Collection of quality goods, so take a quick look at www.elite-leather-and-canvas.com. We’re sure you’ll be impressed!


High praise …

In the recent 2012 competition, both Mara and Serengeti Bushtops camps were thrilled to be awarded “Winner - Certificate of  Excellence”. Thank you so much to all our guests who have written so warmly about their respective stays at Bushtops.


… high fliers …
If you book three nights at Mara Bushtops, or a five night hop between Mara and Serengeti Bushtops camps, we will throw in a complimentary hot air balloon ride. This offer is valid for  bookings up until  the end of May 2013.


… and even higher value
We have also extended our children’s policy. We now grant children’s rates for children up to the ages of 17. So however tall or grown up they look, if your kids are 17 or younger, they gain full access to the wonders of Bushtops, at lower rates.


We hope that you have enjoyed our news and we would be very pleased to host you again soon.

Copyright: Orion-Hotels Ltd.