Wildlife Report

Singita Grumeti
Sasakwa & Faru Faru Lodges
Serengeti House & Sabora Tented Camp
Explore Mobile Tented Camp
Tanzania
(Photo by Adas Anthony)
Wildlife Report
For the month of April, Two Thousand and Fourteen
Temperature and Wind
Average maximum
Average minimum
Average wind speed
21.2˚C (70.1˚F)
16.1˚C (60.9˚F)
0.2 mps
Rainfall Recorded
Sasakwa
Sabora
Faru Faru
Samaki
Risiriba
245 mm
229 mm
161 mm
367 mm
142 mm
The East African “long rains” that occur from the end of March through mid-May conjure up frightening
images in many people’s minds: nonstop storms, thick mud, getting stuck in a safari vehicle for hours,
torrential flooding, tiny African streams instantly transformed into raging rivers filled with crocodiles and
hippos, landslides, as well as general destruction and devastation.
Those of us who live and work in East Africa, at Singita Grumeti in particular, have a completely different
experience of the rainy season: lush green landscapes, refreshing afternoon storms that cool off the heat of
the day, absolute clarity – being able to see for miles and miles across the Serengeti, revitalised active
wildlife, few guests, and pretty much the perfect time of the year to go on safari.
If you are planning a safari and are in pursuit of the most flattering light for photography, dramatic
landscapes, abundant wildlife viewing and few people, then this is the time to be here.
To the trees!
(Photos by Ryan Schmitt)
Leopards are synonymous with trees, but they actually spend more than half their time on the ground.
Leopards take to the trees for resting, for self-protection or when they have made a kill. They drag their dead
prey into a tree to protect their feast from other non tree-climbing carnivores that might try to steal it.
The reasons this leopard was in a marula tree near Explore Maji and Lion Rocks, was twofold. He had a
warthog kill he had hoisted into the tree, and he was ready for a rest.
Even though the leopard had killed this warthog he hadn’t started feeding on it, and didn’t seem too intent on
doing so any time soon. His belly was full - we knew this because we had seen him only two days before
feeding on a zebra kill.
Leopards, like most other African carnivores with the exception of cheetahs, are opportunistic feeders. If the
opportunity presents itself to make a kill, even if the predator is not “hungry” or in need of food or
sustenance, they will take it. This leopard was in the right place at the right time when it came across this
young warthog, and even after having feasted on an entire zebra, the leopard took the opportunity to hunt
and was successful.
Instead of eating its reward, he spent his time resting and then carrying the warthog higher into the tree,
moving further away from the eyes and noses of any competition. He eventually started feeding on it later
that night.
Egyptian geese
(Photos by Ryan Schmitt)
Egyptian geese are a common bird that occur at Singita Grumeti and can always be found at Sasakwa Dam.
They are actually not geese but belong to the “shelduck” family. They occur in sub-Saharan Africa and along
the Nile River. The ancient Egyptians considered them sacred and often included them in works of art.
Our Egyptian geese always seem to have "goslings" in tow! The little ones are looked after equally by the
male and female parents, who mate for life as a pair.
Impenetrable armour
(Photos by Mishi Mtili)
Tortoises have some of the best defensive armour in the animal kingdom. Their hard and hefty shells are so
effective that they hardly ever fall prey to predators, except occasionally hyenas. The young cubs of the
Nyasirori pride are still learning the ways of the wild and so when they spotted a leopard tortoise their
curiosity compelled them to try and get the slow moving reptile out of its shell.
Their efforts were in vain, but they realised the tortoise made a great plaything that would supply lots of
entertainment. They were still playing with their new toy when we left them, but we are confident the tortoise
eventually was left alive and well, but with slightly heightened stress levels!
Sightings in March
(Photo by Saitoti Ole Kuwai)
Lion: 34
Leopard: 19
Cheetah: 14
Elephant: 31
Special Sightings
 2 male lions, pride not known, killed a baboon – Den site road, straight south of OP 7
 Breeding herd of over 100 elephants – Explore Lion Rocks
 Nyasirori Pride (3 lioness, 7 cubs) – Sabora Plains Camp, sleeping in front of Tent #5
 Breeding herd of about 100 elephants – downstream from Colobus Crossing about 2 km, on
the northern bank of the Grumeti River
 1 aardwolf (sex unknown) – Old Ikoma Camp Rd
 1 female leopard killed a bat-eared fox south of the junction new Beribai-Rhino rocks road
By Lizzie Hamrick
Singita Grumeti
Serengeti
Tanzania
Thirtieth of April 2014