Bob & Gina Poole – Back at Naboisho!

“Wildness reminds us what it means to be human, what we are connected to rather than what we are separate from.” –Terry Tempest Williams

A male lion interacting with a female.

50 000 acres of Wild!

Returning to the Mara Naboisho Conservancy is a dream come true. Last year we had the good fortune to spend three months at Asilia’s beautiful camp tucked away on a hillside overlooking a vast plain teaming with wildlife. We were filming elephants for National Geographic and followed several families including a baby elephant we named Little E, after our producer friend, Emre. This tiny calf became the star of the film: Little Giant. The show aired this past year on National Geographic WILD in the US and in 123 countries around the world. I hope we come across him again, as I’d love to see how much he’s changed in the past year and a half. This time we’re working for National Geographic on a Big Cat special that will air on Big Cat Week.

Sunrise on “Top of the World” plain.

We’ve worked in the Mara Naboisho Conservancy on various film projects since 2008, and it’s been fascinating to see the progress that has occurred during that time. The model for conserving vast expanses of undeveloped land is a success story in the making. The Conservancy was officially created in 2010 whereby 500 local Maasai landowners agreed to put their land into conservation status, thereby protecting the habitat, and in turn receiving income from tourism operators. The name Naboisho means coming together in the local Maa language. The Conservancy protects the cultural heritage of the Maasai as well, and has created programs to improve access to water, healthcare and education. When you stay in one of the camps in the Conservancy part of your accommodation fee goes directly to these community enhancement initiatives. It has created important job training, and significant employment for many local people as well.

New pride male after mating.

Since first visiting Naboisho we’ve witnessed the growth of tourism first-hand, with the increasing number of visitors. However, with only six camps spread across the vast landscape you do feel a sense of solitude. When you come here and discover a lion kill, other game drivers won’t surround you.

It’s wonderful to see more people discovering this jewel in Kenya. Every night around the camp dining table we join guests who are excited to tell us of their day’s wildlife sightings, and Naboisho doesn’t disappoint. With one of the highest densities of lions in Africa, you are guaranteed to spend time with these magnificent cats. You will also be entertained by the deep roaring of lions, the wilting vocalization of hyena, and one of nature’s most beautiful sounds; the dawn chorus of birds noting the first light of day.

Through our work in Africa we’ve met many dedicated people who are committed to saving our planet’s wild places. The Mara Naboisho Conservancy is a real success story.

Sunrise on the plain.

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