Monkeying about at dawn

Dawn mist at Samburu Safari Park

A mantle of mist and dust still snuggled around the acacia trees at dawn as the chorus of birds fell silent and we set out on our safari early after a hearty breakfast at the Samburu Game Lodge.  It was too early for the staff that man the entrance gate between Samburu and Buffalo Springs safari parks so the little gate house was overrun by monkeys, who took full adantage of the situation, and were having a wild party by sliding down its sloped corrugated iron roof and tumbling over one another.


Monkeying about at dawn, Samburu gatehouse

Our guide explained the story behind the painting of a lioness walking alongside a deer on the gate compound wall.  Many believe that the lioness depicted was none other than Elsa, the cub that was looked after by Joy Adamson in Born Free and set free near the Samburu park when old enough to fend for herself.  It is said that the adult Elsa befriended a deer and were seen on many an occasion in each others' company for many years after, giving rise to the unusual legend of the lioness and the deer who were friends.


Observing each other

Intelligence just shines through the eyes of these michevious primates.  Looking closely at their perfectly formed fingers, toes and eyes one can't help but make comparisions and search the dim and distant past and when our species were probably more closely related.  Theories abound about why their species went their way and we ours, but at that brief moment we shared the sheer inventiveness, laughter and fun in their gay abandonment of life's worries while they played on that sloping gate-house roof.


Safari look out

We rattled on in our safari van over the bumpy tracks through the park looking out for more animals at home in their habitat.  All the safari vehicles were equipped with radio transcievers so that they could contact each and direct guides to areas where animal had been spotted.

John, our guide, with his uncannily sharp eyes kept his trusty binoculars by his side and would head off towards where he spotted something interesting raising our anticipattion of seeing some of the beautiful residents of the park in their Hidden Places by Karunesh

Look and find for they'll be gone in the swiftness of time

Samburu Game Lodge Dinner by Candlelight

As we sat in the Samburu Safari Lodge bar by the dry river bank and looked down the river towards evening time, a large troop of baboons loomed in the distance, spanning the river and approached slowly but menacingly towards the lodge.  Fortunately all it took to disperse them into the trees on the opposite bank was the appearance of a Samburu warrior who shooed them away with some blood curdling yells.


Subdued lighting at Samburu Game Lodge



As dusk fell and we supped by candlelight at the lodge, the rustling and chatter from the monkeys in the trees grew louder as they squabbled for roosting places for the night.  This was punctuated with the occasional shriek and thrashing of leaves as they chased each other away from their favourite perch.  Slowly but surely they settled down for the night and then silence settled around like a fog.  Now and then a shadowy, mysterious form slinked by along the river as we strained our eyes to see through the quiet gloom.  After a last few drinks we also decided to call it a night.  Feeling thoroughly spooked we decided to avail of the hotel service in which staff with torches  accompanied guests down the dimly lit path to the cabin rooms.



Full moon amongst Samburu trees

Our curtains were still left a little open so we could peek out to attribute some rustling sounds to deer or buffalo stealthily browsing by as the full moon rose.   Sleep finally came as stillness descended outside and memories of the sounds, sights and experiences of our first night in the safari park lingered on my subconcious mind accompanied by the half-remembered words to the strains of These are the days of our lives by Queen.