Born Free - Elsa’s Grave

I’m from the generation that grew up with Elsa the lioness and George and Joy Adamson’s books Born Free, Living Free and Forever Free.

While living in Kenya in the early 60’s I developed an interest in wildlife that, little did I know, would become a passion.

The film was released in 1966 soon after we returned to the UK. The stars of the film were Bill Travers and Virgina McKenna, but the real stars were the animals that played Elsa and her cubs.

Elsa died with her head in George’s lap in 1961 and was buried at her favourite place.

I first went to Meru, October 2017, to see the work being carried out at the vast rhino sanctuary.  If it's rhino or big elephants you want to see Meru NP is the place to go. Both White and Black rhino can be found there although the black are difficult to find. The rhinos have not had their horns removed. On two separate three day trips I recorded 54 and 68 sightings. The elephants can be huge with tusks that touch the ground when standing.

I made my mind up to visit the grave of Elsa while at Meru NP and to pay my respects.

Well, it wasn’t the easiest trip to arrange and I only had three days at Meru, the grave is 50km from the Murera Gate into the park, along a dusty road with no directions. If you want to get there you need to prepare well.

There had been incursions by Somali tribesmen and it wasn’t safe to travel without an armed guard. The manger at Elsa’s Kopek kindly let one of their guards accompany us to the grave.

On the way to the grave we saw little wildlife but encountered some Somali herdsman tending their camels. Thankfully they were more scared of us and disappeared into the bush and didn’t cause us any issues.

The grave is at Elsa’s favourite spot overlooking a river that flows into the Tana River. Not surprising it had not been tended and was in some disrepair. We did what we could to tidy it up, paid our respects and headed back to the main gate as it was a long journey back and the light was fading.

Incidentally my journey continues to Samburu NP, Aberdares NP. and on to Lake Naivasha were I stay at Elsamere. Elsamere was the holiday home of George and Joy Adamson. It’s like staying at your granny’s, all the original furniture, pictures and Georges old Land Rover.  Well worth a visit to see the birds and the African Fish Eagles.