Tiemamut

Strange cascading yips come from at least three creatures in my immediate vicinity. I lay atop my sleeping pad, listening. The calls shifted and settled again, changing direction and proximity. From my brother’s tent, there was no sound.

We passed several hours waiting for a diesel engine’s rumble, announcing the arrival of the rangers. The sun dipped low and so we made the arrangements ourselves. The two remaining liters of water would have to be enough.

Camp was perched above a sandy dry river bed, its tall banks sheer from past floods. There were no indications that anyone had camped here in quite a while. We built a large fire which burned clean and easily from dry wood scattered amongst the sand and pebbles. Its flickering glow revealed the edge of the surrounding bush, yet was insufficient to obscure the stars above us.

I can hear the sound of my own breathing inside the tent. A large stick is at arms length in the vestibule. The calls continue.

Laikipia, Kenya - February 7, 2024