KENYA


browns. Africa’s most fabled wilderness unfurled below us, and if the descent was anything to go by, with sightings of giraffes, elephants and grazing zebras before our wheels had even dusted the dirt-track runway, we were in for a treat. Parked in the shade of an acacia tree, with a chilled bottle of champagne ready to pop, our guide Kas was on hand to meet us. Recent rains had turned the Mara into a bog land – tricky driving conditions for most but not for Kas, who deftly navigated the waterlogged terrain, all while scanning the plains for creatures big and small. *ÀoÛi`in} > y>Ãh ov VoloÕÀ in Ìhi distance, a cattle farmer in a brightly coloured shuka (traditional Maasai blanket) could be seen moving his herd. His presence highlighted the delicate balance between man and beast here


in the Mara, which, at times, has been fraught. As visitor numbers to the reserve resulted in changes in animal behaviour in recent years, the conservancies were established to readdress that relationship and Mahali Mzuri – meaning ‘beautiful place’ in Swahili – has played a pivotal role. Unfenced, meaning animals often wander in, the camp is perched on a ridge overlooking a valley on a bend of the Ntiakitiak River, a place popular with spotted cats, striped zebras and other wildlife.


Mahali Mzuri consists of 12 futuristic- looking tents, centred around a cosy lounge area and restaurant with sweeping ÛiiÜð ƂÌ wÀÃÌ }l>nVi] Ìhi ÌinÌà q LÕilÌ atop soaring steel arches – look a little surreal, like giant manta rays swooping above the valley. But a closer look reveals


ª ABOVE: An askari (Maasai watchman) at Mahali Mzuri OPPOSITE: FIRST ROW: Swimming pool; game drive SECOND ROW: Afternoon tea; writer


iVk oÕloÃÆ L>ÌhÌÕL in }ÕiÃÌ ÌinÌ / , ,"7\ ƂiÀi>l ÛiiÜ ov >h>li âÕÀi "1,/ ,"7\ -Õn`oÜniÀÃ ÀoÕn` > V>m«wÀiÆ hoÕÃikii«in} ÃÌ>vv PREVIOUS PAGE: Lion at Mahali Mzuri Credits: Virgin Limited Edition/Mahali Mazuri


56 ASPIRE JANUARY 2024 aspiretravelclub.co.uk


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