Most of my wildlife trips end the same way—great photos, unforgettable sightings… and a lingering sense of guilt.
Because while I may not be the one crossing the line, I’ve seen too many others do it:
Guides blasting bird calls on Bluetooth speakers.
Photographers throwing stones at animals for “an action shot.”
Tourists cheering on as drivers corner a hungry tiger.
We’re so desperate to see the wild, we forget it was never ours to direct.
And then, Kenya happened.
This wasn’t just a wildlife trip—it was a reminder that nature doesn’t need choreography. It just needs space.
We spent time in Ol Kinyei Conservancy, where the Maasai guides treat the land like home—because it is. On our night drive, they refused to light up nocturnal animals just for a better view. At the Mara Reserve, we saw the Great Migration unfold without chaos—just wildebeest, zebras, lions, and leopards doing what they’ve always done, long before we arrived with binoculars and bucket lists.
Even in Naivasha and Nakuru, walking among giraffes and spotting rare birds didn’t feel like an intrusion. It felt like we were being tolerated—and that’s the best case scenario when you’re the outsider.
And credit where it’s due:
None of this would’ve gone as seamlessly if not for the good folks at The Bucket List Travel Company.
From planning to execution, there wasn’t a single missed step. They weren’t just efficient; they were thoughtful. Every guide, every stay, every transfer felt like it was chosen to enhance the experience without disrupting the environment we were there to witness.
This was the first time I came back from a wildlife trip without that familiar discomfort.
No sense of having “taken” something.
Just the quiet satisfaction of having seen—and left no trace.
If you’re curious to explore each leg of this journey, here’s the full series at nanusense: