There's a Giraffe in My Bathroom!
Welcome to Sarara Camp, there’s a giraffe in the bathroom! Robert Lemayian, my Samburu guide and I laughed out loud when we encountered a reticulated giraffe munching the shrubs beside the outdoor bathroom as he gave me a tour of my accommodations. Fupi, an orphaned giraffe, was rescued and raised at Sarara until she was old enough to be released back into the wild. Fupi hangs out with wild reticulated giraffes now, but Sarara is like home base for her particularly during the current drought. She happily takes advantage of plants that benefit from runoff from the outdoor shower.
Fupi followed us around to the front patio and stuck her head inside to say hello.
“The elephants may come to visit you at night Kathy,” said Robert. “If they come, just be still.” My beautiful, tented home for the next three nights included a small plunge pool. Northern Kenya, and the Sarara Valley had not seen rain for 18 months. A trail went directly by the pool making it an attractive watering hole for local wildlife.
I went to bed wondering if visitors would come in the night. I woke early to the sound of rustling leaves and cracking branches outside. Could there be elephants right behind my bed feasting on the acacia trees? Whatever it was, IT was making quite a ruckus! I got up and peered through the screen door. It was still dark outside. I grabbed my phone, the only camera that could handle such low light and quietly unzipped the door. In stealth mode I headed to a set of stairs that led from the patio to a deck above.
The rustling stopped. I crept up the stairs hoping I could see behind the tent from the verandah. I peered into the darkness – no elephants behind the tent. I turned and took in the scene out front. A matriarch elephant with a young calf and several family members in tow floated along the trail like grey ghosts heading for the pool. I held my breath. She approached with her trunk extended. I slowly raised my camera and pushed play. A loud CAWK! echoed across the valley. The matriarch paused for a split second then turned with her calf, and together the group faded into the woods as quietly as they came. I crept forward wondering if she’d smelled or heard me. The loud rustling resumed. I realized it was a group of monkeys harvesting seeds high in the trees who were responsible for waking me up and sounding the alarm for the elephants.
I didn’t think I had anything on my phone. However, I was able to boost the exposure on the video and I did capture the moment. It’s not easy to see, but you can make out the elephant’s trunk as she reaches into the pool and then the family’s exit. It never ceases to amaze me how silent such huge animals can be. Have a look here.
I lingered as the sky lightened. Hundreds of dragon flies came to drink from the pool.
As the sun rose above the horizon a mongoose showed up for a morning drink.
Big and small, the pool was a precious resource for many, including me in the heat of the afternoon.
Many thanks to everyone who has donated to the Montessori Mobile School campaign. There’s still time to give here. The Samburu who coexist with Sarara’s wildlife are their protectors. When the people benefit, the wildlife benefits too.
