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In
the expedition across the African
continent, the trips along the Kenyan
forests are unforgettable. Going
deep into the thick forests to photograph
the animals had been a dream for
me.
Initially I was apprehensive of
the safety of the trips and the
risks involved in moving around
the forest with a camera in hand.
It was only after serious thought
that I ventured to undertake the
African expedition. Haunted by the
fear of wild elephants, the very
first night was a sleepless one.
The `Best Touring Company’ at Nairobi,
the Kenyan capital had agreed to
make all arrangements for our stay
in and around the villages and the
forests surrounding that area. Thus
one morning we started our visit
to the forest interior.
Eight of us in a small vehicle!
Two Americans, two Russians, two
from England, myself and a young
introvert from Japan by name Nodiyakki.
Through the uneven, broken road,
in the scorching heat, inhaling
the dust outside, our long journey
began. Our aim was to stay in the
tents at Masaimara and see the animals
from close. An ever smiling African
native , Sakela is our driver.
Descending the great Rift Valley,
we reached Masaimara by dusk. The
forest area is extended beyond our
vision. Kenyan forests have a speciality.
Contrary to our expectations, this
forest has no dense growth of trees
- a thicket 4 ft. tall. Here and
there scattered big trees or groups
of small trees appear. Hillocks
and streams run through the forest.
Animals were the most interesting
spectacle. Lakhs of antelopes move
along together, zebras descending
the hillslope like sea waves herds
of deer with thousands of members,
leopards, jackals, elephants with
big tusks and broad ears and the
lion families...
By evening Sakela drove the vehicle
to a hilltop with dense growth of
trees. Under these trees a few tents
were made. 6-7 in number. The place
had turned a puddle of muck due
to the rain. We are supposed to
spend the night in these tents.
The tent has just enough space for
one to stretch his legs and be comfortable.
A bed with a bed-spread is provided
on the floor. The bed sheet was
cold due to the moisture penetrating
through the soaked mud. Each member
of the group is allotted one tent
each. I was to put up in a tent
called `Cheetah’. The only source
of light was the petromaxes. Each
one is provided with a torch also.
The kitchen is a shed under a tree
at a distance. A bell is given when
the food is ready. In the shed covered
by creepers, there are a few wooden
benches and desks. We ate food there
- boiled potatoes and chicken curry.
Besides us, a few Europeans who
came by another vehicle, have also
occupied the tents in the ground.
They had also reached the kitchen.
After food, they were busy playing
cards. Nodiyakki and myself began
with our gossips.
The time was midnight. Terribly
cold - not getting sleep at all.
The murmur of the dew drops falling
on the dry leaves is heard distinctly.
From a distance the roaring of some
wild animals!
Out there, two young Masai watchmen
were basking by the fireside. They
were tall, lean and healthy- the
real heroes of the forest. Their
main hobby is to indulge in head
on clashes with lions. Long metallic
spears with pointed tips were placed
by their side. From the kitchen
I walked towards them. Driver Sakela
was also there. As they smiled their
teeth glistened. Sakela introduced
them to me. They are the brave souls
of the Gothra village.
`Nothing to be scared of’- said
Sakela. `Let lion , cheetah, tiger
or anything appear, their spears
are ready to counter attack.’
I stared at the spear in disbelief.
`Only elephants are to be feared’-
said Sakela. I grew anxious.
`They do not confront elephants’,
He continued.
`What if elephants came?’ I asked
in fear.
`We flee on seeing them’, the youngsters
said with pride by showing a whistle
attached to a thread hanging from
their necks. `We blow this whistle
and flee’, they said.
`When the whistle is heard, you
also run, away in self- defence’,
they advised. They did not tell
me in which direction I am to run
in the forest as vast as an ocean.
I walked towards the tent. Petrified
with fear, awaiting the sound of
the whistle emerging from the darkness
of the night and not knowing where
to run, I went to bed.
It was a sleepless night.
That night is still fresh in my
mind.
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