In the heart of the majestic Maasai Mara, a land teeming with wildlife and rich cultural heritage, lies Ngerende in the Wild, a renowned luxury tented camp owned by the accomplished Eunice Kaigai.
With a vision to offer an unparalleled safari experience to discerning travelers, Ms. Kaigai’s Ngerende in the Wild has become a coveted destination for high-net-worth individuals seeking an intimate encounter with nature’s wonders.
Her journey to success has been anything but smooth.
Here is her story as told by WoK.
Upon her return to her homeland in 2004, Eunice embarked on a mission to explore the potential of developing Maasai Mara as a tourist destination.
“I ventured into tourism because it is in line with my professional background. I studied business and tourism”, she said during an interview with the Business Daily.
She continued by saying; ”After graduating, I came back home and did research on a thesis titled ‘To Develop the Mara or Not’ through which I discovered that I wanted to venture into diversified lodges and that’s how Ngerende was born.”
Inspired by her findings, Eunice decided to venture into the world of diversified lodges. Thus, in November 2008, Ngerende Island Lodge was born.
The name “Ngerende,” meaning a flat area surrounded by hills in Maasai, symbolized the tranquil and picturesque setting of the lodge.
The path to establishing Ngerende Island Lodge was arduous but seamless.
Eunice and her late husband, Robert, identified the perfect site and set about designing the lodge’s eight suites.
According to Ms. Kaigai, Ngerende the eight suites, which she estimates, were built at a cost of $5.5 million (equivalent to Sh775.2 million based on current exchange rates). The lodge has the capacity to accommodate 16 guests simultaneously, with each guest paying $2,000 (approximately Sh283,500) per night.
Tragically, Robert’s sudden demise on July 4, 2019, left Eunice reeling, as he had been her biggest support system.
“He is the one who did the design of all these suites. Without him lending a helping hand, I don’t think we would have got this far,” she said.
Despite the immense loss, Eunice courageously carried on, leveraging some of her late husband’s international connections to source guests for the lodge.
This ensured that Ngerende Island Lodge remained a beacon of hospitality for high-net-worth individuals, both local and international, seeking an exclusive and unforgettable experience.
However, challenges were far from over for Eunice. The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 dealt a significant blow to the entire tourism industry, causing unprecedented disruption and uncertainty.
Ngerende Island Lodge, like many others, had to close its doors temporarily in response to the pandemic.
On top of the pandemic woes, protracted succession battles further complicated matters for Eunice.
The emotional toll and financial strain caused her great distress, leading her to make the difficult decision to temporarily shutter the lodge.
As she navigated through the darkest phase of her journey, Eunice’s determination to preserve and revitalize her dream remained steadfast.
Her dedication to the sustainable development of Maasai Mara never wavered, and with the support of her family, friends, and staff, she rekindled the light within her and reopened the lodge a few weeks ago.
Today, Ngerende Island Lodge stands tall, a symbol of resilience in the face of adversity.
The lodge’s unmatched beauty and personalized attention continue to attract guests seeking a one-of-a-kind experience in the heart of Maasai Mara.
