Lara Ray is the founder of Roaming with the Rays, an artist, expedition host and lifelong believer that some of life's best conversations happen around a campfire. 

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Raised between the wild landscapes of Kenya and a creative family life, her work has always revolved around helping people slow down, look closer and reconnect with the natural world. Whether leading a camel expedition through the Karisia Hills, hosting a creative retreat on the coast, or simply sharing coffee beneath an acacia tree, she believes the finest journeys are rarely the fastest.

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Her background in art, therapeutic practice and nature-based learning has shaped a way of travelling that is thoughtful rather than hurried, immersive rather than observational.

 

Every experience is designed to encourage curiosity, creativity and a genuine sense of place.

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As the founder of Sanda's Watamu, Polka Dot Art Gallery and Roaming with the Rays, Lara has spent many years creating spaces where adventure, creativity and community come together naturally. Her work blends wilderness, storytelling, art and thoughtful travel, offering guests the chance to experience Kenya in a slower, more meaningful way.

She is equally at home sketching beside a river, walking with Samburu guides through the forests of northern Kenya, or introducing children to the wonders of the natural world. Whatever the setting, her hope is always the same: that people leave with a deeper appreciation of nature—and perhaps a slightly different way of seeing the world.

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When she's not guiding expeditions, you'll usually find Lara in her studio, exploring Kenya's wild places with her family, or planning the next adventure. She believes that some of life's richest experiences come from slowing down, paying attention, and allowing nature to set the pace.