Review: A stylish safari stay at House in the Wild
Location: The Mara River meanders peacefully through Enonkishu Conservancy on the northernmost tip of Kenya’s fabled Maasai Mara, passing grassy savannahs, canopies of camphor trees and, on one bend, House in the Wild. The lodge is less than a 10-minute drive from Naretoi airstrip, where guests arriving by charter plane can land, while Mara North and Ngerende airstrips, the arrival point for scheduled flights from Nairobi, are a little farther away.
First impressions: A winding gravel path shaded by a verdant awning leads us to the property’s tucked-away entrance. After hopping out the safari vehicle, we’re deposited onto a wide open lawn that’s bathed in sunshine and surrounded by thickets of foliage, the peaceful sound of the flowing river instantly creating a calming atmosphere.
The facts: The first property to launch under regenerative ecotourism brand Collection in the Wild, this seven cottage lodge first welcomed guests in 2013 after starting life as a humble mud hut. The one and two-bedroom lodgings are dotted around the site, giving maximum privacy while retaining a comforting, communal feel in the shared spaces – my Kisaru Cottage is just a couple of minutes’ walk from the main lawn, which is studded with communal amenities, including a pool, thatched gazebo, Swahili bar and lounge and dining space.
Ideal for: Couples will love the sanctuary of River Cottage, where floor-to-ceiling windows and a picturesque terrace that can be set up for private dining look out over the Mara River. The two-bedroom Original, Marula and Kisaru Cottages are the best options for families, with cots and a host of kid-friendly activities for little ones to enjoy. For bigger groups, the entire property can be booked on an exclusive-use basis.
Explore: Game drives, plus e-bike and horse rides, are the most obvious pastimes, but the group’s ecotourism ethos means there’s plenty more to experience. Wild Hub is a community space for locals and guests to come together for innovation, housing a tree nursery, stables, vegetable garden and beading centre. Here, we learn about the growing opportunities for local women through the Women in the Wild initiative, how the brand is working with nearby schools to plant trees, and its goal to educate farmers on how to best grow crops that benefit the community and wildlife.
Wow: On a morning game drive that brought us face to face with a magnificent cheetah, we go off-road and reach a clearing set up with a decadent bush breakfast. Our vantage point offers an unrivalled view across the Mara ecosystem, and we settle down to enjoy a feast including fresh fruit, focaccia and mimosas. Early mornings have never tasted so good.
Book it: Nightly rates start from $1,600 per adult in high season. The price includes full-board accommodation, non-premium drinks, game drives and taxes.
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