Dear Friends,
A rather hectic time in both Serian and Ngare Serian in the Masai Mara, the successful integration of our new seasonal camp Serians Serengeti. The calm follows the storm and the recent afternoon rains have cleared away leaving a carpet of green. I spoke too soon as I write there is a torrential downpour to the north over the Mara. The river crossings have been concentrated and intense. Forceful and yet drama for the slowwitted wildebeest seeking grazing and water as they spread out all over the countryside.
In October, Mark Gilks after eighteen months as manager of Serian in the Masai Mara, moves on. A compassionate soul Mark has partnered with Serian’s Staff the jovial Sawa and indefatigable veterans Kyembeni, Isaac, and Joel. Providing Serian’s trademark, accommodating, cheerful and authentic safari sensation. We wish Mark good luck in his future endeavors.
Adrian Allen a terrific guide and positive personality together with his girlfriend Roisin Perret will be joining us in November to take over from Mark. Adrian has been working at offbeats meru camp for several years. Roisin heads home from spending time in South Africa, typical warmhearted individuals brought up on ranches in the Kenyan wilderness. John Moller an outstanding bushman and Chris Brennan old friends of Serian will help out in the interim. Employing their comprehensive experience to amplify and increase the quality and value of the “Serian Safari Experience”.
Many of you will know Mike Hacker a talented and renowned photographer, he has been helping host our mobile camps this summer with ole Aaron warrior boy of the mara. “Hax” has released a book to partner his acclaimed historical documentary “Through Masailand” recording his journey in the footsteps of Joseph Thompsons 1879 Safari. The book is available and part of the profit is dedicated to our African – Green Trust. Aimed at supporting conservation efforts through education.
The large bush fires in late July left a scarred black slash across the entirety of the Serengeti, following heavy afternoon storms that have only recently subsided the Nyamalumbwa plains, the hills of Wogakuria are swathed in short green grass. Spreading the hungry herds far and wide. The crossings still carry on with forceful intensity and the herds in the Masai Mara are yet to head southwards promising yet more to come.
We remain in place here until the end of October before heading south in front of the November rains to re establish ourselves in the southern most extremes of the Serengeti plains at Kakessio part of the Ngorongoro conservation area. Following heavy deluges in Maswa last year we decided to relocate closer to the all weather road that links Maswa to the NgoroNgoro Crater rim by way of the mission hospital at Endulin.
Two hours from the rim it is viable to consider a day exploring the NgoroNgoro crater itself and return to the sanctity of main camp in the early evening. Kakessio is located close to the Laetoli footprints an archelogical site of some renown. An hours drive south of Lake Ndutu and the all weather strip used by the scheduled charters and 3 hours from the Manyara strip should the rains really set in. The white chalk ridges of the area surrounding Kakessio provide hard going ground for game drives when the black cotton plains become untenable. An incredible mosaic, colourful rocky kopjes to the south offer some of the most spectacular walking country found in Tanzania. It is rugged country, overlooking the Great Rift Valley and Lake Eyasi hunting grounds of the hadzabe bushmen.
William Kasale: 30, married.
