CONSERVATION & COMMUNITY
Collection in the Wild is deeply committed to community and conservation efforts, transforming the surrounding landscape into a thriving ecosystem in partnership with the Maasai community. Since 2012, the business has been at the forefront of a pioneering re-wilding project, which has successfully restored degraded land to its natural state, allowing wildlife to flourish alongside well-managed livestock. This innovative approach not only enhances biodiversity—leading to sightings of species such as wild dogs, leopards, and lions—but also supports local livelihoods by distributing conservation fees directly to landowning families.
The partnership has fostered a shared vision for sustainable land use, where both wildlife and the Maasai community can coexist harmoniously. Additionally, the Collection supports local schools and provides training workshops focused on sustainable practices, ensuring that conservation efforts benefit both the environment and the community economically. This holistic approach exemplifies how eco-tourism can serve as a powerful catalyst for positive change in the region.
OUR STORY
In 2009, the Olerai Farm, a French bean farm owned by the Wood family, faced significant challenges due to climate change, including flooding, drought, and crop failures. As the farm struggled, the surrounding Maasai community grappled with land degradation, overgrazing, and human-wildlife conflict, often viewing wildlife as a nuisance rather than a resource.
In response, Lippa & Tarquin Wood spent months meeting with local leaders to explore the idea of a conservation partnership that could restore the land to a thriving wildlife habitat. Initially met with skepticism, they persevered and eventually secured a grant from the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund, allowing them to lease the land for conservation efforts.
With the community's support, they implemented a holistic grazing plan that brought all cattle into one managed herd. Over time, the grasslands flourished again, attracting butterflies and birds, followed by grazers and predators.
One of the first meetings to establish Enonkishu was held on top of the Wild Hill, where the elders unanimously expressed their desire to preserve the wild plains of the Mara for future generations instead of succumbing to charcoal production and unsustainable farming practices.
Today, Enonkishu stands as a beacon of hope and collaboration, showcasing how community-driven conservation can restore both land and wildlife while benefiting local livelihoods.