There’s a very special kind of magic in the Masai Mara. One we are privileged to witness each day. But for one week towards the end of October, that magic was amplified as we hosted two back-to-back, 3-night Children in the Wilderness (CITW) Eco-Camps!
Eco-Club students from schools in the Masai Mara – photo credit Alisa Karstad
The air was filled with excitement as two separate groups of 30 students from our partner schools in the Masai Mara, Laikipia, and the Great Rift Valley arrived at the former Governors’ Private Camp. For all of them, except one boy, this was their first time visiting the National Reserve, their first time on a game drive, and the beginning of a truly unforgettable adventure.
Eco-Club students on a game drive in the Masai Mara – photo credit Alisa Karstad
The Masai Mara Reserve, fresh from recent rains, put on its finest show. The grasslands were healthy, and the river, though low, was a bustling hub of hippo activity.
Egyptian geese – photo credit Alisa Karstad
A Neumann’s Marsh Terrapin – photo credit Alisa Karstad
Hippos vie for space in a muddy pool – photo credit Alisa Karstad
Our guiding team led the way, introducing the children to the wonders of this biodiverse area. The children were thrilled to use binoculars for the first time, see lions up close and tick off their numerous sightings in their new nature checklists.
Biodiversity bingo – photo credit Alisa Karstad
And of course the wildlife didn’t disappoint; they spotted everything from huge herds of elephants and buffalo with their young to solitary servals and prides of lions. They even encountered wildlife wandering through the camps, including giraffe, hippos, families of warthogs and dwarf mongooses. One group witnessed a lilac-breasted roller catching and then feeding a small green snake to it’s fledged chick.
A Lioness scans the plains for prey – photo credit Alisa Karstad
A family of elephants – photo credit Alisa Karstad
A special thank you goes to our conservation partners, the Mara Elephant Project and the Kenya Bird of Prey Trust, who provided the children with fascinating talks about their work. We are sure these worked wonders at instilling a sense of awe for their flagship species, and we hope that they also changed some of the negative feelings that are known to surround some of these animals- especially owls which are often persecuted due to outdated beliefs and myths in many areas of Kenya.
The Mara Elephant Project present to the students – photo credit Alisa Karstad
Willis from The Kenya Bird of Prey Trust present to the students – photo credit Alisa Karstad
We are also incredibly grateful to KBoPT for their generous donation of 200 copies of the book “Bahati, The Guardian of the Mara,” which teaches children about the plight of vultures in Kenya.
Thanks to the Kenya Bird of Prey Trust for their donation of books – photo credit Alisa Karstad
Educational posters courtesy of KBoPT – photo credit Alisa Karstad
As with all CITW Eco-Camps, the learning wasn’t centred solely around wildlife. It focused on teamwork, communication, and confidence, all of which were fostered through lively games on the lawns and shared stories during communal meals and campfire story times.
Team building games – photo credit Alisa Karstad
The African Cherry Tree team with their mascot – photo credit Alisa Karstad
Thanks also go to Elke Bertolli, who kindly donated some of her beautiful wildlife illustrations from her Wanyama Wetu (Our Mammals) colouring books for use in our CITW children’s checklists.
Colouring in time – photo credit Alisa Karstad
A key part of the CITW mission is to inspire and to show these children that a future in conservation and tourism is within their grasp.
A tour of Governors’ Camp – photo credit Alisa Karstad
One of the biggest highlights was a comprehensive “behind-the-scenes” tour of Governors’ Camp. Our team, from the kitchen and laundry to the workshop and spa, were beaming with pride as they explained what their roles in camp involved. The children’s curiosity was endless!
A tour of Governors’ Camp workshop – photo credit Alisa Karstad
Workshop – photo credit Alisa Karstad
Laundry – photo credit Alisa Karstad
Jentrix from the Spa – photo credit Alisa Karstad
They fired off questions about everything: “What are white radishes, and how do you eat them?”, “How does a piston work in a car engine?” and “How do you become a chef?”. They learned how to correctly set a table, what the different wine glasses are for, and even got a lesson in economics with a “wow” moment seeing and feeling a USD 100 note and understanding its value.
In the camp vegetable garden – photo credit Alisa Karstad
Seeing USD notes for the first time in the accounts office – photo credit Alisa Karstad
From getting up close for selfies with one of our Governors’ Aviation Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft to the “Super Camper” awards ceremonies, where every child was celebrated for their unique qualities, every moment was designed to build them up.
Seeing an aeroplane up-close for the first time – photo credit Alisa Karstad
An experience like this doesn’t happen overnight; it’s a genuine team effort, and we are truly grateful to our entire team that came together to create the magic.
The flawless organisation and boundless energy began with our CITW Coordinator, Sharon, who made each child feel genuinely seen and welcomed. She was supported by the hard work of our Community Liaison Officer, Julius, who not only helped to manage Private Camp over the camp dates but also handled many of the vehicle logistics, park fees, acted as a guide, and was present throughout all camp activities to ensure everything ran smoothly.
CITW Coordinator Sharon Muthoni with Adams from Mugie Primary School – photo credit Alisa Karstad
Governors’ Camp Manager James and his entire team were invaluable, managing every detail with precision and efficiency. The passion and punctuality of our guiding team brought the Mara to life. In a true show of Governors’ Camp teamwork, Mungai and Dominic from the workshop stepped in as guides when needed, whilst Rhoda and Hellen from housekeeping assisted with the departmental tours of the camp.
Plenty of smiles on game drives – photo credit Alisa Karstad
The delicious meals were planned and prepared by Chef Philip, Chef Tito, and the rest of the kitchen team. Waiters Tony and Daniel provided non-stop service, while Daniel and the other camp askaris (night security guards) ensured every campfire talk was safe and memorable. We also send a huge thank you to all of the hardworking housekeepers and other support staff who kept everything running smoothly behind the scenes.
Meal time – photo credit Alisa Karstad
The dedication from our teams extended far beyond the Mara camps. Our thanks go to Manager Joshua from Governors’ Mugie, who personally picked up the Mugie school children at 5 am to meet their bus, and to Relief Manager Abu from Loldia House, who similarly assisted with transfers for the TAFA Eco-Club children. We are also grateful for the seven Eco-Mentors who joined from the schools and partner organisations, sharing in all of the fun and learning alongside their students.
Eco-mentors from Naivasha and Laikipia – photo credit Alisa Karstad
Finally, none of this would be possible without the unwavering support of the wider CITW programme team and our Governors’ Camp Collection and Wilderness leadership, who provide us with the foundation to make these life-changing camps a reality.
Group 1 students from Naivasha and Laikipia – photo credit Alisa Karstad
Group 2 students from across the Masai Mara – photo credit Alisa Karstad
Happy days – photo credit Alisa Karstad
When the students departed back home with their brand new CITW shirts, bags, and water bottles, they left with a new sense of purpose. They carried home new skills, new friendships, and a powerful new sense of self-confidence. This is why we do what we do.
Governors’ Camp Collection remains committed to positively impacting communities, educating future generations, and conserving Kenya’s diverse wildlife. Your stay with us directly contributes to these efforts.
If you would like to learn more about any of our Impact efforts, you can reach out to us via email at impact@governorscamp.com. If you’d like to support our work, you can do so via our secure online payment platform:
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By Alisa Karstad, Impact Manager for Governors’ Camp Collection.
