Community and Conservation in Kenya

Explore the Namunyak Conservancy with those who know it best: the Samburu. As you follow elephant trails through giant cycads or climb Mount Ol Lolokwe, witness how your guide reads the bush with remarkable ease. These guided hikes also draw you closer to the wild’s finer details, offering the ultimate sensory experience.

Samburu beadwork is an age-old tradition shared between mother and daughter. Each bead holds meaning. Every colour and pattern tells a story – of history, identity and pride. Join a circle of Samburu women during a beading session. Learn about the cultural importance behind their intricate jewellery as you create your own piece. 

The singing wells of the Samburu is a ritual of harmony and teamwork, stretching back generations. During the dry season, warriors unearth drinking water for their livestock by digging deep wells into dry riverbeds. You’ll be invited to observe, listening to the chants of those working together. These melodies are understood only by their herds. Recognising the familiar tune, this is how they find their way to the water.

Experience conservation in action as you track endangered rhinos on foot alongside seasoned rangers. During this experience, you’ll gain an insight into the ongoing efforts to help preserve these majestic creatures for generations to come. Learn about monitoring techniques, how rhinos are identified and the impact of protecting them.

The Borana Conservancy is home to one of East Africa’s largest permaculture projects: the Waitabit Farm. This is where both the Borana Lodge and the area’s anti-poaching team source their produce. A tour around the farm offers you the chance to see how vegetables and fruit are grown using sustainable methods. You’ll delve into the cutting-edge operations and systems that fuel your meals. 

Throughout the Borana Conservancy, dedicated rangers from the anti-poaching unit survey the land and monitor wildlife to help keep them safe. Witness their vital work firsthand as you join them during their deployment. You can also learn more about their daily duties and their intensive training in becoming a ranger. 

The canine unit plays a crucial role in helping to improve security and reduce poaching across the Mara Conservancies. In this hands-on experience, participate in training exercises with the team and delve into their critical work protecting the region’s wildlife.

Staying at Angama Mara, you’re granted direct access to the Oloololo Escarpment’s wilderness. On a walking safari, follow your Maasai naturalist guide who knows this land like the back of their hand. Hear how native plants are used for medicine and ceremony while searching for the tiny critters hidden within the grassland. 

There’s more to the Shamba than meets the eye. Meet the keepers of this one-acre kitchen garden where emphasis is placed on cultivating fresh, seasonal produce. Explore its creative layout inspired by the game Snakes and Ladders while tasting your way through the garden.

During the tour, you’re invited to handpick your own ingredients for a salad.  Then gather beneath magnificent moth trees to enjoy your meal with the Maasai Mara unfolding below.