In April 1909 TR went to Mombasa, British East Africa (Kenya), for a year to go on safari for the Smithsonian Institution with his son Kermit. Roosevelt, at the head of a safari including 250 porters and guides, trekked across British East Africa, into the Belgian Congo and back to the Nile ending in Khartoum. The ex-president thoroughly enjoyed himself. The expedition collected 1,100 specimens, including 500 big game. Between the two of them, Theodore and Kermit slew 512 beasts including 17 lion, 11 elephant and 20 rhinoceros. After the year-long hunt, Roosevelt proceeded to England for the funeral of King Edward VII and then on to Norway to accept the Nobel Peace Prize for his part in ending the Russo-Japanese War. He returned to the U.S. in June, 1910.

Part 1: View of TR planting a tree in front of trading company building, possibly located in Mombasa, long shot of busy amusement area in Kenyan seaport of Mombasa, including shot of ferris wheel filled with Swahilis; shots, taken from observation platform on train engine, of plains along the Uganda Railway, with herdsmen who are probably Masai and railroad workers visible along tracks; train pulls into small community; women who are probably Masai, incorrectly identified by interior title as Zulu, gather water at spring, accompanied by children.

Part 2: Rainmaker dances in ritual ceremony, surrounded by Swahilis; members of unknown tribe draw water from a well, with large thatched structure in background; views of Masai men, women, and children in kraal, with clear shots of mud houses; TR and his party appear in group of Kikuyu and/or Masai tribesmen;

Part 3: women who are probably Masai, incorrectly identified by interior title as Zulu, form ceremonial circle on open plain; TR and members of his party examine a gun in the presence of African tribesmen; unidentified tribesmen pose individually for camera at close range, with campsite visible in background; at campsite porters work busily, either setting up or breaking camp, with TR briefly visible; view of Kikuyu and/or Masai dance, incorrectly identified by interior title as Zulu dance, in honor of TR's visit;

Part 4: Roosevelt party crosses stream, with porters carrying gear and safari members across water toward camera.

Producer: Thomas A. Edison; Film appears to be fragment of the production, Roosevelt in Africa, released April 18, 1910. ; Camera: Cherry Kearton; Duration: 3:34 (part 1), 3:54 (part 2) at 12 fps; 3:36 (part 3), 1:52 (part 4) at 18 fps.

American Memory - Theodore Roosevelt on Film - 4102 - Timeline