A new chapter for the River Room
At House in the Wild, the River Room has always been a guest favourite—tucked beneath the trees, a few steps up from the water. But over time, the Mara River has shifted, so we moved with it.
The room was taken down by hand and rebuilt, brick by brick, further up and further
back—still facing the river, still filled with soft morning light. Now slightly elevated and perfectly placed, it’s a subtle but meaningful change. One that quietly strengthens our future along the riverbank.
All rooms across the property have now been similarly adjusted—built up and set back. It’s the kind of behind-the-scenes work that makes all the difference, even if no one talks about it.
Daily sightings, familiar faces
Since the beginning of June, lions have been sighted every single day on drives from all of our properties. The Naretoi pride has become increasingly confident, with an unusual focus on giraffe lately. The three Sankei males have been holding their range across Enonkishu and Ol Chorro—unmistakable in size and presence.
Milele, (one of Kisaru’s husbands), has been seen multiple times, often mid-hunt. Nguvu the impressive leopard has also made several appearances. And on Wild Hill, camera traps caught the quiet movement of both a female leopard and a roaming male, slipping through the edge of the forest just before dawn.
Large herds of elephant and buffalo have returned to Enonkishu, grazing easily across the open glades. And in Naretoi, giraffe have gathered in herds of 25 or more, moving slowly through the rewilded plains.
Wild Villas: five homes, one shared purpose
This season, we have welcomed two new villas into our growing Wild Villas collection; Azizi and Ndoto—bringing us to five beautifully curated, fully serviced homes, each with its own sense of place and story.
These are not rentals. Each villa includes a dedicated team, all meals, paired wines, curated bitings, private safaris, and immersive guest experiences, while grounded in purpose.
Guests often say it feels like being in their own private lodge—but better. Less formal, more personal. Still entirely taken care of.
Riding, now open to the all lodges and camps
Our horse riding experiences have become an amazing part of life here. We are always excited to welcome guests from other camps to join us for morning or afternoon rides, led by our experienced team, and tailored to every level.
For guests staying with us—at House in the Wild, Wild Hill, or any of the Wild Villas—riding is included. Whether it’s a quiet walk through the acacia groves or a canter across the plains, there’s something deeply grounding about moving through this land on horseback.
In the Shamba: fresh thinking, strong roots
We’ve begun a full redesign of the Wild Shamba, working with the award winning garden designer Arthur Mennigke. His regenerative approach is helping us rethink not just what we grow, but how we grow it. We are creating stronger soil, smarter systems, and food that tastes like it belongs exactly where it was grown. The garden is still being built—with the aim of becoming both more productive and more beautiful. Our menus are guided by what we will be growing, designed to celebrate flavour at its freshest.
Menus in rhythm with the land
As the season settles in, so have our menus—simple, beautiful food, made well. Chilled soups, roasted vegetables, fresh greens from the shamba, home-baked sourdough, handrolled pasta, and delicate desserts. Paired wines are selected with care, and bitings are made to pause over, not rush through.
It’s all about quality, intention, and the joy of eating together after a full day in the wild.
New films, new stories
We’re excited to begin sharing more of our story—through two new films that capture the spirit of Collection in the Wild from different perspectives.
The first, created by Arian Ourtaev—a gifted equestrian and filmmaker—dives into the energy and freedom of our horseback safaris. It’s fast-paced and cinematic, capturing the raw thrill of riding through open country, wildlife all around, with the golden hour unfolding across the plains.
The second, The Land Remembers, is our new hero brand film—a nine-minute piece created in collaboration with the exceptional team at Blackbean Productions. It tells the story of land once lost to farming and overgrazing, and the quiet, determined path of its restoration. This is more than a conservation story—it’s a story of resilience, of people and place, and of tourism used as a genuine force for good.
We couldn’t have asked for better collaborators. Both teams brought deep care and
creativity to the process—and we’re proud to now share these glimpses into what makes this place so special.
Both are now live on our brand new YouTube channel.
Quiet recognitions
In June, Collection in the Wild was hugely honoured to receive the Community Upliftment ATTA for Action Award at the Experience Africa Travel Show—a reflection of the partnerships, the schools, the health projects, and the environment work that weave through everything we do.
And Jane Nashipae, from Women in the Wild, was awarded the Environmental Activist of the Year by the Kenyan Independent Women Awards. Jane’s work speaks volumes: hands-on, heart-led, and grounded in results.
Mbokishi grows
Over in Mbokishi, land is transforming from farming to wildlife habitat, nature is back in the driving seat. More than 200 zebra and wildebeest have returned, grazing freely across open space that’s slowly rewilding itself. Livestock grazing plans are coming together and there’s a real sense of momentum here — as more landowners witness what’s possible if we see wildlife as a benefit rather than a pest. We’re hopeful that more farmland on the edges of conservation here will follow this path.
Something Wild is stirring…
Lions are roaring. Leopards are moving through the shadows. Guests are arriving— curious, open, ready to step into the rhythm of the wild.
The women are beading, making soaps, pouring candles, threading purpose into every detail. Guides are prepped, the wine has arrived, and the stores are full.
The mornings are crisp, fires lit before first light. Across the properties, there’s a quiet energy amongst the team—boots dusted, lanterns cleaned, firewood stacked, horses groomed. Everything is poised for the season ahead.
And we’re ready to ride into it, cook for it, light fires beneath it, and welcome you into the heart of it.
— The Collection in the Wild team
