HOME Blog This Week At Angama #176

This Week At Angama #176

The Mara River, the lifeblood of this remarkable reserve, takes centre stage this week, as herds of zebra gather along its banks. Daily they run the gauntlet - dicing with death
Above: a journey of giraffe looks out over the Mara Triangle as it slowly begins to fill with zebra
Above: a journey of giraffe looks out over the Mara Triangle as it slowly begins to fill with zebra

The focus of the Mara has shifted towards the river with at least 16 zebra crossings over the last few days. All the action is happening at two points known as ‘Main Crossing’ and ‘Cul-de-sac’. Both are famous for outrageously high densities of monster-sized crocodiles. The timings tend to vary, between 11am and 6pm, mostly in the late afternoon.

I have witnessed just one crossing so far this year – somehow I always find myself at the right place but at the wrong time. But far more importantly, our guests and guides are having substantially better luck and you can hear the energy and excitement rippling around the campfire. Guests come back from drives enthused; memory cards full of photographs and videos, unforgettable moments of Mara magic captured forever. 

f. 6.3, 1/1600, ISO 250, -0.33
f. 6.3, 1/1600, ISO 250, -0.33
Approximately 300 zebra crossed in this herd
Approximately 300 zebra crossed in this herd f. 6.3, 1/1250, ISO 250, -0.33
The crocodiles lie in wait, ready to pick off any stragglers
The crocodiles lie in wait, ready to pick off any stragglers f. 4.5, 1/4000, ISO 250, -0.67

Charlotte, newly handling Angama’s social media, saw a wonderful crossing on her very first game drive in the Mara. Talk about lucky!

Sipping on a dangerous cocktail
Sipping on a dangerous cocktail f. 5,6, 1/2000, ISO 400, -0.33
Miraculously all the zebras in this herd made it across safely – much to Charlotte's relief
Miraculously all the zebras in this herd made it across safely – much to Charlotte's relief

However, away from the river there is still so much going on – plenty to keep you busy day after day. In particular,  I have been bowled over by the giraffe sightings. For some reason, we are seeing mass gatherings of these gentle giants. Journeys in excess of 30 individuals silently meandering across the grasslands.   

A journey of giraffe in back and white
A journey of giraffe in back and white f. 7.1, 1/800, ISO 500, +1.33
We get Maasai giraffe here, which are the largest subspecies of giraffe
We get Maasai giraffe here, which are the largest subspecies of giraffe f. 9.0, 1/640, ISO 400
The Maasai giraffe has different shaped 'blotches' that run all the way to their hooves
The Maasai giraffe has different shaped 'blotches' that run all the way to their hooves f. 4.5, 1/6400, ISO 640, +0.33

The lions continue to provide endless entertainment and I have heard from the guides that all the prides in the Triangle are starting to show themselves more regularly. The Sausage Tree Pride have been showing off their new cubs, the Inselberg Males are becoming a more dominant force and moving further and further north, the Bila Shaka Males are mating yet again, and the Angama Pride, led by our precious Mama Kali, have been spending a lot of time hanging around in the trees. 

Koshoke, from the Bila Shaka Coalition, peers over the long grass
Koshoke, from the Bila Shaka Coalition, peers over the long grass f. 4.0, 1/4000, ISO 640, +0.33
Koshoke is flehmening here (showing his teeth), he must have smelt a scent of a female
Koshoke is flehmening here (showing his teeth), he must have smelt a scent of a female f. 4.0, 1/2500, ISO 400, -0.33
To the tip of his tail, Koshoke is pure strength
To the tip of his tail, Koshoke is pure strength f. 3.5, 1/5000, ISO 320, -0.33
Koshoke shows off his pearly whites
Koshoke shows off his pearly whites f. 3.5, 1/2000, ISO 400, -0.33
Two of the Bila Shaka Males casually walk past Lemaalo’s vehicle
Two of the Bila Shaka Males casually walk past Lemaalo’s vehicle f. 7.1, 1/200, ISO 500, +0.33
An Angama Pride lioness crosses the track
An Angama Pride lioness crosses the track f. 4.0, 1/2000, ISO 320, +0.33
With more and more food becoming available, the lions' energy is up