Meet Moses Titimet Nampaso: The Maasai Guide Behind Mattikoko Safari Camp
At Mattikoko Safari Camp, we are incredibly proud to be one of the very few Maasai-owned safari lodges in the Greater Maasai Mara – founded, built, and led by someone whose roots in this landscape run generations deep: our owner and Managing Director, Moses Titimet Nampaso. His story is woven into the land around us, and his lifelong connection to the Mara shapes the authentic, high-quality safari experience we offer today.
Images by Kaleel Zibe and Martin van Herwaarden
A Childhood Shaped by the Wild
Moses was born and raised in Olkimitare near Aitong, deep within the Mara ecosystem. His early life revolved around herding his family’s cattle, sheep, and goats – work that required spending long days out in the bush, navigating the same plains where lions, elephants, and buffalo roam. These daily interactions with wildlife laid the foundation for the deep bushcraft and intuition that would later define his guiding career.
School days were equally influenced by the outdoors. Moses walked nearly 12 kilometres each way to reach class, often encountering wildlife along the route. He became active in the Scouts and his school’s conservation club, taking part in hikes and bush camps that further cemented his passion for the natural world.
Training for Excellence
After completing secondary school, Moses joined the prestigious Koyiaki Guiding School, where he spent two years studying everything from mammalogy and ornithology to camp management and human–wildlife conflict. He graduated with a Bronze guiding qualification, then completed internships at Rekero Camp in the Mara and Lewa Wilderness Trails in northern Kenya, earning certification in Tour Guiding and Conservation.
But Moses didn’t stop there. Over the years he pursued higher professional credentials, eventually achieving KPSGA Gold Status – the highest guiding qualification in Kenya, held by only a select group of elite guides. He later added a FGASA Level 2 Arts of Tracking certification from South Africa, specialising in tracking and trailing.
Today, he is not only a leading safari guide but also a field-guide trainer and instructor, shaping the next generation of Kenyan guides. He serves as a trustee for Enonkishu Conservancy and remains deeply engaged in community and conservation efforts.
Building Mattikoko: A Maasai-Owned Safari Camp
In 2019, Moses set out to build a safari camp that reflected both his heritage and his professional vision – a camp rooted in Maasai culture, dedicated to conservation, and focused on delivering world-class guiding. Construction of Mattikoko began that year, and by 2020 the camp welcomed its first guests.
Mattikoko remains one of the very few lodges in the Greater Maasai Mara that is fully Maasai-owned and run. For visitors, that means not only exceptional guiding, but also an authentic connection to the land and its people. A portion of the camp’s profits supports local community initiatives, and Moses’ thriving market garden supplies produce to the camp and neighbouring areas, further strengthening local livelihoods.
A Guide With Deep Roots and Professional Mastery
What sets Moses apart is the blend of two worlds: the lived experience of someone raised in the Mara, and the polished expertise of a highly trained, internationally accredited guide. Guests benefit from this unique combination on every game drive – whether he is tracking lions across the plains, explaining the behaviour of a bird hidden in the grass, or sharing stories of life growing up in the Mara.
At Mattikoko Safari Camp, Moses’ vision comes through clearly: to offer a top-class, conservation-minded safari experience led by Maasai experts who know and love this land. And for travellers seeking an authentic, meaningful connection to the Mara, his story is a powerful reminder of why locally owned tourism matters.
