Category #ЭкоNotivory

The road was long and tedious. Instead of the promised five hours, we trudged for eight in the sweltering African heat, stopping every now and then in small towns and villages. Sometimes baboons impressively came out on the road, stopping traffic.



But most often we drove slowly to save our minivan: African roads are still a test. In Swahili, pole-pole means "slowly, slowly" - this is part of the mentality of Africans: enjoy life and do not rush anywhere. After the hustle and bustle of the metropolis with its traffic jams, the subway and eternal deadlines – a great way to switch and just catch the pleasure of every moment.

Roadside vendors vied with each other to offer fried corn and local souvenirs - statuettes made of ebony, cowhide drums, pendants with animal fangs and beaded earrings. From the window, you could see Maasai in colorful "shuka" capes, who immediately turned away when they saw the camera. They come to cities and towns for food, water and necessary household items. They don't like to pose. They believe that with a picture you steal a part of their soul, so when they notice the camera, they turn away and quickly leave, or demand money for the picture. It is better not to take risks and not to enter into disputes – there was a case when angry savannah warriors threw stones at a jeep with impolite tourists. I still managed to take a couple of frames from the window on the phone. I do not pretend to be of artistic value, just for color.



I continued to observe the life of provincial Kenya from the window of the minivan. I couldn't sleep: every now and then some interesting moments attracted my attention. If you are lucky enough to visit there, pay attention to the local flavor: bright (and often just funny) signs of shops and cafes, how local people transport goats on the roofs of trucks, how Kenyan "bikers" famously cut through dusty roads (motorcycles and mopeds are one of the most popular means of transportation). My guide-driver was watching the road, and I didn't want to distract him with conversations. In the car were my backpacks with things and photographic equipment, as well as a refrigerator with water and food supplies.

Traveling on the roads of Kenya may seem long and tedious, but believe me: it is incredibly interesting, exotic and exciting. You can fly by light-engine plane from Jomo Kenyatta Airport to Nairobi and land directly in the Maasai Mara Nature Reserve. But then you will miss a lot.


It was evening when we arrived at some village. A Masai teenager was driving home a herd of skinny zebu cows and sheep with bells on their necks, and we stopped to let them pass. Another 10 minutes along a winding rocky road - and we are on the spot, in a tent camp near the central entrance to the famous Maasai Mara reserve. Inspired by the successful "halt", we began to transfer things to our tents. For the first time I lived in a tent with a bed and a bathroom. Hot water around the clock, and this is in the heart of the wild nature of Kenya! I decided to take a little look around the campsite and froze in place: a huge red disk of the setting sun hung over the horizon. It seems that you could touch it with your hand. I didn't even think to get the camera right away, but I still took a few shots and watched the sunset until it got dark.



Dinner was great! Long tables were covered (with the same shuka capes, they were used as tablecloths), and travelers could communicate with each other, share their impressions and get acquainted with newcomers. I went to bed early, at about 9 pm. It was a big and important day ahead. In English, this is called game drive, in our language-just safari or photo hunting. I set the alarm for 5: 00 and fell asleep to the chirping of cicadas.

To be continued...

Author of the article:
Diana Rudenko
www.dvr.photography