April 2025



Matira Bush Camp has my heart. It’s my sanctuary, my escape, and my connection point to the untamed soul of the African wilderness. Every time I return to the Maasai Mara, I return to Matira. Tucked deep into the bush, far from the crowds and noise, this intimate camp is perfectly positioned for an immersive wildlife experience. It feels raw, wild, and private—just how the Mara is meant to be experienced.

The moment you arrive, you’re welcomed not just as a guest, but as part of something greater—a respectful cohabitant of the land. The camp blends rustic charm with thoughtful, sustainable design. Natural materials, soft lighting, and organic textures connect you seamlessly to your surroundings. The attention to detail is quiet, deliberate, and never overstated—from the warm cloth handed to you at dawn before your game drive, to the gentle lantern glow that guides you back to your tent at night.

The guides here are nothing short of extraordinary. With deep knowledge passed down through generations and honed by years in the field, they don’t just track animals—they read the landscape like a living story. Every sound, every paw print, every shifting breeze carries meaning. Their passion for wildlife and their respect for the ecosystem is infectious. The staff are equally remarkable—gracious, attentive, and always present without being intrusive. There’s a sense that everyone here shares the same heartbeat, quietly tuned to the rhythm of the land.

And then… there are the lions.

Lion trekking in the Mara is something I’ll carry with me forever. It’s not a typical safari drive—it’s intimate, intentional, and deeply respectful. Walking through tall grass, tracking a pride by the signs they leave behind—fresh paw prints in the mud, the flick of a tail in the distance, the low rumble of a lioness calling to her cubs—it’s very cool. You become part of the ecosystem, bound by awe and humility.

Being in the presence of lions; their power is unquestionable, but so is their grace, their familial tenderness, and their silent communication. Just amazing.

A bit about the Mara

The Maasai Mara is one of Eastern Africa’s most iconic and ecologically rich regions. Located in the southwest of Kenya, and covering around 1,600 km², the reserve is part of the greater Serengeti ecosystem which extends north from Tanzania. It’s only a short flight from Nairobi, but it feels worlds away.

The landscape is a masterpiece—vast grasslands stretch as far as you can see. Sparingly filled with acacia trees, rocky outcrops known as inselbergs, and winding rivers like the Mara and Talek which are boarded by dense forests and mixed open plains. The land is also shaped by countless korongos—small gullies and seasonal waterways that attract wildlife and create microhabitats teeming with life.

Geologically and geographically, the Maasai Mara is a continuation of the famed Serengeti, but it offers something distinctly its own. The annual Great Migration—one of nature’s most epic spectacles—passes through here. From July to October, hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, zebra, and other grazers flood into the Mara in search of lush pastures, pursued by predators. The land seems to breathe, contract, and expand with their movement. This is incredible, but I tend to stay away from the crowds and go off season.

People of the Mara

Equally important are the people who call this land home. The Maasai, with their vibrant red shukas, deep cultural knowledge, and unwavering guardianship of the land, are an integral part of the Mara’s spirit. Many of Matira’s guides and staff are Maasai themselves, and their connection to this place runs deep. 

There’s a profound respect that exists between the people, the animals, and the land—one that you feel in conversation, in the silence of a sunset, and in the stories shared around the campfire.

The Masai Mara is my go-to place.
It’s where I feel connected, grounded, and most alive. The wildness, the silence, the sheer beauty—it resets everything. Wild hearts.