Page 68 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 12

MY AFRIKA
MY AFRIKA

that dominated the trees around us.
Their wings made a loud whooshing
sound as they took to the air as we
passed and when they opened their
beaks? It was like donkeys honking!
I have never heard the likes of it
before in my life. I loved it.

The view around Chaka town and
the surrounding area is defined White Rock Resort Nyeri
Photo: Samuel Phillips
by the commanding presence of
Mount Kenya in the distance. The
mountain’s distinct form is constant-
ly present to the east, with the peaks
coming in and out of view depend- breathtakingly beautiful landscapes
ing on the weather. On a clear day, to Isiolo town, where we stopped
one can easily make out the highest for supplies, and then onwards to
peaks, the moorlands and the foot- Marsabit, pausing briefly along the
hills of Kenya’s highest mountain way for security checks and to cap-
from Chaka and the highway near ture photos of the mighty Ewaso
the resort. The mountain looks so Ng’iro/Ewaso Nyiro River (which
serene and insistently makes the call was down to not much more than
to one’s heart to come away from a stream when we drove by), Mt.
the mess and the noise that ‘mod- Ololokwe and other gems along the cereals. These young boys we met
ern’ society has become and to find way, and to say hello to and share were already warriors in their own
the stillness and peace of simple water with the young herdboys
living once more. The night before who were out with their camels, right.
our departure, we found ourselves cows, sheep and goats. There’s such We arrived in Marsabit town a little
downsizing once again. Removing contrast between these young boys, before one pm. The empty, smooth
things from the Chariot that did not some who couldn’t have been older highway is a temptation to fly... but
make sense to be lugging around than ten, who are out there with
and that were simply loads weighing their bare chests, spears, knives and the journey is in the surprises that
lie around the next corner, like the
down our journey. fierce eyes, and beautiful smiles... ostriches, which we didn’t see the
some of them all alone – and the last time, and the amazing rock
On the dawn of the third day, we children we left in the city, with their features along the way. This time we
made our way out of our refuge plastic brightly colored toy guns,
and down now-familiar roadways video games and sugary breakfast planned to make camp in the forest
instead of staying at a hotel. Kenya
through Nanyuki and Timau and Wildlife Services (KWS) maintains
past
two public campsites, one at Ahmed
Gate and one at Abdul Gate which
one can access easily. These facil-
ities are equipped with showers,
toilets and lighting to make your stay
much more comfortable. They also
supply firewood to their campers
for bonfires and their armed rangers
move through the forest checking
on things from time to time. Which
is good. You’ll see why later.
We chose to camp at the campsite
next to Ahmed Gate. When we ar-
rived in Marsabit town, we drove to

68 | we tell the true afrikan story