KENYA Taking


FLIGHT Scenic Wilderness


By the time the ladies leave, I have a string of blue and white beaded diamonds wrapped around my wrist – but the souvenir I value most is the sense of togetherness I feel. Yes, I’ve received insight into Samburu life, but I have also gained an invaluable lesson about human connection – despite differences in language, culture and lifestyle, we have bonded with these women, and the time spent with them is something I will never forget.


Driving change


Travelling between remote parts of the Kenyan bush PGGF PQV DG CU EQORNKECVGF CU KV UQWPFU (QT VJG ƂTUV leg of our adventure from Nairobi to Namunyak, and onwards to the Maasai Mara a few days later, we’re transported in style by Scenic Wilderness, a partnership between two charter operators that connects the capital, VJG /CTC CPF PQTVJGTP -GP[C (QT DQVJ ƃKIJVU C NKVGTCN red carpet is laid out, water and snacks are provided in the pockets of each huge leather seat, and the pilots are keen to answer any questions. When it’s time to leave the Mara behind, we travel with charter company CPF URGEKCNKUV ƃ[KPI UCHCTK QRGTCVQT 5EGPKE #KT 6JKU OGCPU QWT ƃKIJV KUPoV LWUV C ƃKIJV s KVoU C ICOG URQVVKPI UKIJVUGGKPI JKUVQT[ NGCTPKPI GZRGTKGPEG YJKEJ +oO NWEM[ GPQWIJ VQ TKFG KP VJG EQ RKNQVoU UGCV HQT 9JGP YG VQWEJ FQYP HQT VJG PGZV RCTV QH QWT VTKR QWT RKNQV RQRU C DQVVNG QH EJCORCIPG QP VJG VCTOCE s VJG EJGTT[ QP VQR QH VJG WNVKOCVG -GP[CP GZRGTKGPEG


After four days with the Samburu – which also included stays at Sarara Treehouses and Sarara Wilderness (Reviews, page 117) – we leave northern Kenya behind for a region famed for epic safaris: the Maasai Mara. After >ÀÀiÛin} in Ìhi >À>½Ã


nonkiÃhÕ onÃiÀÛ>nVÞ] oÕÀ wÀÃÌ


stop is Wild Hub, a former slaughterhouse reimagined as a farm and community venue by regenerative ecotourism brand Collection in the Wild, which encompasses two properties and a portfolio of villas. A space for local people and guests to come together,


Wild Hub houses a vegetable garden, stables, a guide training centre and a beading room, and is just one example of the brand’s ongoing efforts to restore wildlife habitats and improve the lives of those who live in the conservancy. After taking on a Mara farm his parents had been leasing from the Maasai community, Collection in the Wild co-founders Tarquin and Lippa Wood decided in 2013 to open House in the Wild, a mud hut on the banks of the Mara River that would eventually be transformed into a seven-cottage luxury safari lodge. House in the Wild is spread across 1,000 acres but has an unmistakable homely atmosphere. After being shown to our cottages, we’re treated to an alfresco lunch with Tarquin and Lippa, who talk openly and passionately about their rewilding work and collaboration with the community. What resonates with me is the group’s Women in the


Scenic Air


Wild initiative, which fosters entrepreneurship among Maasai women. Much like the time I spend with the Samburu ladies, hearing about Collection in the Wild’s efforts to im«liminÌ Ì>n}iLli im«ÀoÛiminÌà voÀ loV>l Üomin wllà me with hope – that future generations will have the o««oÀÌÕniÌÞ Ìo vÕlwl ÌhiiÀ «oÌinÌi>l] >n` Ìh>Ì iniÌi>ÌiÛià liki this one will continue to help drive positive social change.


50


ASPIRE JANUARY 2026


aspiretravelclub.co.uk


CREDITS: Teagan Cunniffe; Peter Ndung’u


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