Beekeeper's Report: Whats in Bloom?

Scientific Name: Acacia Hockii

English: White Thorn Acacia

KiMaasai: Ol-Jarbolani

Kiswahili: Mgunga (“Acacia”)

Scientific Name: Acacia gerrardii

English: Gerrard’s Acacia

KiMaasai: Ol-tepesi (Tanzania), Ol-debbei (Kenya)

Kiswahili: Mgunga (“Acacia”)

This tree, the “desert date”, may appear flowerless, but in fact it has many tiny flowers that are popular with the bees.

Scientific Name: Balanites aegyptiaca

English: Desert date

KiMaasai: Or-ngosua

Kiswahili: Mjuju (Swahili)

It’s right after the rainy season, when the flowers of many trees and shrubs are in bloom. Each year is different; if the rains have been plentiful there’s an abundance of flowering plants, but if the season has been sparse this may mean less flowers. It’s at this time, a bit like Spring in the Serengeti, that bees are actively foraging - gathering nectar and pollen from the flowers.

Currently in Ololosokwan Village, they have just passed a productive rainy season and many plants are now in bloom. The majority of these are the savannah trees, including a diverse array of Acacia species. Acacia trees are widespread in the Serengeti, known for their umbrella tree tops and long, spiky thorns. They typically boast round, fluffy flowers - a source of both nectar and pollen for the bees.

Here are some of the trees currently in bloom in Ololosokwan. And for a seasonal update from our village beekeepers - read the latest beekeeping report!