The proximity of the national park to local communities of Maasai people has led to innovative conservation solutions in the form of wildlife conservancies. These Masai Mara Conservancies are owned by small-scale Maasai farmers, traditionally cattle farmers, who combine their land resources and draw up agreements with safari companies. The result is a relationship that benefits conservation, local communities, and safari tourists.
- Outstanding Game Viewing
- Safari exclusivity: Visitor numbers are strictly controlled
- Intimate local knowledge and cultural sharing
- Guided walks, horse rides, and night drives
The biggest drawcard of the Masai Mara Conservancies, aside from the abundant African safari animals, is the sense of exclusivity. Because of the low-impact tourist model that limits visitor numbers and puts restrictions on safari vehicles, the Kenyan safari experience within the conservancies feels more personal. Fewer people, bigger spaces, and increasingly abundant wildlife add to the traditional sense of the African wilderness.
The Masai Mara National Park is in southwest Kenya, roughly 200 km (about 124.27 mi) west of the capital Nairobi. The park is contiguous with Tanzania’s Serengeti, the southern unfenced boundary of the Masai Mara being the start of the Serengeti National Park. The Serengeti-Masai Mara ecosystem is the home of East Africa’s famous Great Migration.
The Masai Mara Conservancies border the Masai Mara National Reserve to the north and east. Currently, there are 15 conservancies in the greater Masai Mara area.
- The Masai Mara Conservancy Areas Explained
- A Break-down of the 15 Masai Mara Conservancies
- Masai Mara Conservancies vs The Mara Triangle
- Masai Mara Conservancy Wildlife & Birds
- Masai Mara Conservancy Safari Guide
- Masai Mara Conservancies Travel Tips
- Masai Mara Conservancy Facts
- Culture: The Maasai People & the Mara Conservancies
- Book Your Masai Mara Conservancy Safari
Made up of 1450 km² (about 900.99 mi²) of land that is owned by over 14500 Masai landowners, the expansion of the National Reserve to surrounding conservancies has been a conservation game changer. The concessions are leased by local Maasai communities to private safari companies and are serviced by tented camps which share traversing rights. The conservancies are independently run and adhere to a different set of rules and regulations than those of the national park which is under Narok County government administration.
The Masai Mara Conservancies subscribe to a low-impact tourist model. Tourist numbers are tightly controlled and vehicle numbers at wildlife sightings are restricted to 5. The result of these restrictions is a much more exclusive and intimate safari experience. Wildlife within the conservancies is often more abundant, the theory being that they seek refuge in the less busy outer reaches of the Masai Mara. There are no fences between the national park and the conservancies, and fences within the conservancies are usually to keep wildlife 'out' rather than the traditional model of fencing the wild 'in'. It is good to remember that 65% of Kenya’s wildlife exists outside of protected areas and the creation of the conservancies directly addresses the community-wildlife contact point.
The partnerships formed with local communities were first explored in 2005 and have expanded and developed since then. Today there are 15 conservancies engaged with 39 tourism partners. Income generated through safari tourism benefits the local communities directly which in turn benefits conservation efforts. Staff and rangers are often recruited directly from within the local communities. The positive spinoff is that you are likely to have better cultural interactions with local Maasai even though the language barrier might be a little larger! Being with the people on their land adds an element of authenticity that can be further enhanced by taking advantage of organized 'cultural visits' to nearby Maasai villages (these are always purely optional).
In a nutshell, the Masai Mara Conservancies are formerly cattle grazing areas leased by Maasai people to private tour operators. The tour operators often develop safari infrastructure like roads but also build schools and clinics. With sustainable eco-tourism as the foundation, wildlife is better protected, and the money generated by safari tourism benefits the communities directly.
| Masai Mara Conservancy Activities |
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| Unlike the Masai Mara National Reserve which only permits vehicle-based safari activities, Mara’s Conservancies are privately owned and have their own more flexible rules. Close supervision and small numbers of visitors allow off-road game drives, night-time game drives, bush breakfasts, lunches, dinners, horse riding, walking safaris, and mountain biking. |
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- Size: 69,160 acres Landowners: 666 Tourism Partners: 14 member camps
- Main-Focus: World-class conservancy with long-term commitments to the environment, wildlife, and local communities.
Located on the north-western border of the Masai Mara National Reserve, the Mara North Conservancy is the largest conservancy. This stunning African wilderness area is an integral cog in the functioning of the Mara ecosystem. Mara North has fantastic safari game viewing. Leopard Gorge is a known maternity ground for lions, the Lemek Hills are an important refuge for African Painted Wolves, and the Loita Hills migration from December to May sees thousands of wildebeest pass through the conservancy.
- Size: 52,000 acres Landowners: 636
- Main Focus: Reducing the impact of tourism on wildlife and the environment by strictly controlling tourist numbers
The open savannah adjacent to the Masai Mara National Park is home to one of the densest concentrations of lions. Elephants, giraffes, wildebeest, and rarities like caracal, aardvark, serval cats, and honey badgers can also be seen. Naboisho is popular with bird watchers who come for the pygmy falcons, Von Der Decken’s Hornbills, Bush pipits, White-crowned strikes, and White-headed buffalo weavers. The conservancy strictly limits tourist numbers.
- Olare Motorogi is an amalgamation of the Olare Orok and Motorogi Conservancies
- Size: 33, 386 acres Landowners: 288
Main focus: Sensitive tourism development and close partnerships with local communities.
Olare Motorogi offers exclusive safari tours in a pristine and wildlife-rich environment. The conservancy forms an important buffer zone between the Masai Mara National Reserve and wildlife corridors. You can see big cats, elephants, rhinos, and occasionally wild dogs.
- Size: 26,000 hectares, Landowners: 850, Tourism camps: 2
- Main Focus: Community-driven conservation through tourism
The Pardamat Conservation Area has hilly and forested landscapes popular with elephants. Adjacent to Naboisho, Lemek, Ol Kinyei, and Mara North conservancies, Pardamat connects these four conservancies to the Mara Triangle and then to the Masai Mara National Reserve. Their mixed conservation model seeks to ensure the survival of the greater Masai Mara ecosystem
- Size: 18, 641 acres Landowners: 177, Tourism Partners: 4
This award-winning conservancy has pioneered conservation partnerships between local communities and tourism partners. Since its formation in 2005, indigenous species have returned, and the conservancy is now home to lions, leopards, numerous herbivores and game animals, and over 300 bird species.
- Enonkishu: Maa for “healthy cattle”
- Size: 5,928 acres Landowners: 42 Tourism partners: 2
- Main focus: Novel tourism projects, livestock improvement, and cattle management
Enokishu provides varied habitats for ungulates like wildebeest and gazelles as well as thickets for concealing predators. It consists of varied habitats of wooded acacia savannah, open plains on flat plateaus, riverine acacia forest, and rocky, undulating hills. The Mara River runs along the northwest boundary. The game is abundant and includes large herds of giraffes, buffalo, elephants, and lions. Hippos and crocodiles are abundant in that section of the Mara River which is also popular with leopards. Rare sightings include caracal, aardvark, serval cats, aardwolf, and wild dogs.
- Size: 6,027 acres Landowners: 480
- Main focus: Budget accommodation and low-impact safari viewing
This Masai Mara conservancy runs along a tree-lined section of the Mara River and comprises mostly open savannah. There are high concentrations of plains wildlife, especially during the migration months from July to October. Offering pleasant African landscapes, Lemek is one of the best safari areas of the Masai ecosystem. It is home to numerous bird species as well as buffalo, warthog, hippo, antelope, elephant, cheetah, leopards, and lions.
- Size: 6,000 acres Landowners: 71
- Main focus: Wildlife corridor and Elephant nursery
Relatively young, the Nashulai Conservancy is founded, directed, and run by the Maasai. This Masai Mara conservancy protects a critical migratory corridor as well as a wild elephant nursery.
- Size: 24,500 acres Landowners: 2,200, Safari Camps: 2
- Size: 15,765 acres Landowners: 170, Safari Camps: 4
- Size: 7000 acres Landowners: 6000
- Main focus: Sustainable conservancy management through direct community involvement
In the far southeast corner of the Masai Mara National Reserve, north of Tanzania’s Serengeti, Olderkesi has been community-run and conservation driven for over 20 years. Owned by the Maasai, the conservancy is rented to Cottar’s Wildlife Conservancy Trust. The conservancy covers multiple habitat biomes which are a haven for wildlife as well as being part of Kenya’s Great Migration circuit.
- Size: 23,000 acres, Landowners: 65, Tourism camps: 2
- Main Focus: Community engagement and upliftment through conservation and self-help
Bordering the Mara Triangle to the south, Trans Mara East district to the north, and Mara North Conservancy to the east, Oloisukut provides a safe haven for elephants by securing traditional movement corridors.
- Size: 10,000 acres Landowners: 1,517 landowners, Tourist camps: 15
Siana Conservancy is an important buffer zone for the Masai Mara National Reserve and the greater Mara ecosystem. The area has abundant wildlife and visitors can expect to see eland, buffalo, giraffes, zebra, and numerous gazelles. There are several resident lion prides as well as leopard, cheetah, African-painted wolves, and hyenas. Siana is also on the Wildebeest Migration route and passes through the conservancy between July and October.
| Mara Conservancy Bush Walks |
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| Bush walks in the Mara Conservancies are a popular activity. Walk with guides on open pre-determined routes with high visibility or take a more exciting stroll through dense bush. Safety is always the number one priority, and your guides' intimate knowledge of the wildlife and habitat is complimented by safari spotters and 4x4 support close at hand. Every conservancy has its own variation but Mara Bush Walks often include a bush meal too. |
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The Mara Triangle is the unfenced, westerly wedge of the Masai Mara National Reserve. Its borders are formed by the Mara River to the east and the Oloololo Escarpment to the northwest and Tanzania's Serengeti to the southwest. At 510 km² the Mara Triangle is about one-third the size of Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve.
Though owned by the Narok County Government - the local Government that runs the Masai Mara National Reserve - since 2001, the Mara Triangle has been run and managed by the non-profit Mara Conservancy. The Mara Conservancy is responsible for all conservation efforts, road maintenance, and fee collections. This was the first partnership between the public and private sectors and paved the way for similar agreements in the greater Mara ecosystem.
Reached only from Oloololo gate and the new Mara Bridge, access to the Mara Triangle is limited. One of the benefits of this arrangement is that within the Mara Triangle, it is possible to escape the notorious peak season congestion east of the river. The Mara Triangle is also the hotspot of the Great Migration action as this is where the migratory herds of ungulates enter the Masai Mara from the Serengeti in Tanzania.
The Mara Triangle is home to abundant wildlife year-round. In addition to Africa's Big 5, you can expect to see giraffe, eland, wildebeest, impala, zebra, cheetah, hyena, jackal, hippo, and crocodile wallowing in the Mara River.
What is the difference between wildlife in Masai Mara National Reserve and the Masai Mara Conservancy Areas? The simplest answer is not much. Because the conservancies are contiguous with the National Park, wildlife is free to roam where and how they will. The big difference will be the number of safari goers you encounter on your Kenya safari. You must enter the Masai Mara National Reserve to see the full scale of the Great Migration and Mara River crossings but other than this, both National Park and Conservancies are brilliant year-round safari destinations.
Home to about 25% of Kenya’s wildlife, the Masai Mara never disappoints. Including the Big 5, lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo, the Mara is home to 95 mammal species. The sweet short-grass savannahs of the Mara River basin are jam-packed and full of wildlife. Thousands of antelopes from tiny dik-diks to gazelles and eland intermingle with zebra, wildebeest, and other large herbivores like giraffes, buffalo, and elephants. Home of Disney's Big Cat Diaries, the Masai Mara is renowned for its large prides of lions, cheetahs, and leopards as well as spotted hyenas and jackals. In recent years with the success of conservation efforts, wild dogs - the rarest and most elusive of them all - have returned to the area, albeit seen infrequently.
Though millions of migratory wildebeest and Burchell's zebra move through the Mara from the Serengeti between July and October, the Masai Mara is a fantastic all-year-round safari destination. There is plenty of resident wildlife within the park and the classic safari scenery puts on a show that is worth experiencing.
For avid bird watchers, the Masai Mara is home to a whopping 550 bird species including seasonal migrants. including large terrestrial species like ostriches and Kori bustards, almost 60 species of raptor-like the impressive bateleur, long-crested eagle, and vultures as well as a plethora of smaller colorful and diverse species like lilac-breasted rollers and violet-backed starlings. The best time for birding coincides with the wet season from November to April when European and North African species descend on the Mara to breed.
| Masai Mara Conservancy Night Drives |
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| Night drives in the Masai Mara National Reserve are not permitted. This Kenya safari bucket-list item is one of the highlights of staying in the Masai Mara Conservancies. Night drives usually set out just before dusk when wildlife is often more active, finds a sundowner spot, and then winds back to camp through the bush darkness. Curfew in the conservancies is usually set at around 10 pm. |
A brief safari guide to Kenya's Masai Mara Conservancies; when to go, climate and weather, cost, and how to get there.
The best time to visit the Masai Mara Conservancies is during the dry season of June to November. This is when game viewing is at its best. The famous Great Wildebeest Migration begins around July and is in full swing by August. The wildebeest mill about the Mara until October when they begin to leave with some stragglers departing as late as November. Much of the movements of the Great Wildebeest Migration are dependent on Kenya's seasonal rainfall patterns. With all things 'wild' timing comes with a bit of luck and it's best to carefully consult and plan with one of our safari experts.
For the Masai Mara Conservancy birding bonanza, look to travel between November and April. This is the 'wet' season where afternoon showers are common. It is also low safari season, meaning better rates and lower volumes of traffic. It is the best time for birding because in addition to the regular savannah species, the European and north African seasonal visitors have arrived too. A birder's paradise with over 500 documented species.
That said, the Masai Mara is home to abundant resident (no migratory) wildlife all year round. Add to this the temperate climate and other nearby safari gems and the Masai Mara is considered an incredible year-round safari destination. Visit our Masai Mara safari destination page for a month-by-month safari guide.
Kenya’s summer temperatures range between 20°C / 68°F and 34°C / 93°F. Winter safari temperatures range from 18°C / 64°F to 29°C / 84°F.
Kenya has two rainy seasons: mid-March to June affectionately called the “long rains” and then the “short rains” from October to December.
With East African safaris, intimacy, and exclusivity come at a premium. Because the Masai Mara Conservancy model hinges on low-impact conservation and sustainability, Masai Mara Conservancy safaris are a little more expensive. In addition to your Conservancy fees, you will still have to pay park fees to enter the Masai Mara National Reserve.
Once you arrive in Kenya at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, there are a few different options for traveling the roughly 255km / 158 mi to the Masai Mara and the Mara Conservancies. Flying is the quickest, and most direct, and will allow you to maximize the time you spend on your Mara Conservancy safari. With over 60 flights a week with several different domestic carriers, flying really does make a lot of sense.
The road to the Masai Mara is mostly tarred and in good condition bar the last hour or so. A popular option is to drive the 225km / 158 mi to the eastern entrances; Sekenani, Talek, or Ololaimutia. This drive takes roughly 6 hours. Add an extra 30 to 45 minutes to get to the Musiara or Oloololo gates on the western side of the reserve. Though a slightly longer journey, the Oloololo gate is closer to the Mara Triangle.
The cheapest route is to take the almost 14-hour train, bus, and taxi option.
Safari vehicles in Kenya generally fall into two categories; Safari Tour Minibuses or 4X4 Safari Jeeps. Within the Masai Mara Conservancies, you will get the 4x4 Safari Jeep option. Usually, Toyota Land Cruisers and less commonly Land Rovers, these vehicles seat around 7 people. Safari Jeeps can be either closed or open-sided but will have pop-up roofs, UHF radios, and cooler boxes. All safari jeeps will have 4x4 clearance and capabilities for all those off-road safari adventures.
- Note, self-drive safaris are not permitted in the Masai Mara Conservancies.
When planning your Masai Mara safari it pays to think about what you want from your safari experience. If proximity to the Great Migration is your main focus, then you will want to stay in the Masai Mara National Reserve or the Mara Triangle. However, if you are happy to soak in the ambiance of an African safari without the crowds then it's worth staying in the Masai Mara Conservancies. The upside of the Masai Mara Conservancy areas is that you can still do day trips into the Mara Triangle to catch a wildebeest river crossing without having to prolong the melee. The Masai Mara Conservancies can be more expensive, but they do also offer some fantastic budget options. Talk with a Kenya safari consultant about tailoring your Mara Conservancy safari to suit you.
When packing for your Masai Mara Kenyan safari, remember that your luggage will be restricted to 15kg for a fly-in safari. Paying careful attention to your packing list of lightweight but sensible is key. The way to think about your Masai Mara Conservancy safari packing list is in layers.
Early morning game drives in open vehicles can be chilly, to begin with. You will need a warm hat and perhaps even gloves and a scarf if you are prone to cold. A lightweight puffer jacket or fleece with a hard or soft shell should do the trick. Things do warm up quickly so it's important to be able to shed your jacket and have something lightweight and cool underneath. A cool shirt that is breathable is essential. Zip-off trousers can easily convert from trousers to shorts, leaving you cool and comfortable. When evening falls and you head out on a game drive, think of this process in reverse.
Color-wise you keep your palette to natural hues beige, greens, browns, and khakis are best. You want to avoid both black, white and anything loud. White gets grubby very quickly, black gets very hot and attracts mosquitoes at night, and loud colors like bright yellow or red frighten animals and attract bees.
Closed comfortable shoes are best for your days on safari and a good pair of sneakers or trainers are perfect. Unless you plan on doing any actual hiking, hiking boots are unnecessary. For time spent in camps and lodges, a pair of slip-slops can be a comfortable addition.
- Visited by thousands of safari enthusiasts every year, the Masai Mara is a safe safari destination. Expert guides and experienced safari professionals are geared towards delivering a safe and extraordinary Kenyan safari experience.
- Travel Health: Vaccines Required for the Masai Mara Conservancies
- Before you travel, visit your local travel clinic and find out well in advance what vaccinations are required. This is a changing landscape and does require forward planning. Kenya is a malaria region, but prophylactics are both effective and accessible in your home country.
- The African sun can be severe. A hat and sunscreen are highly recommended and it's always a good idea to stay well-hydrated.
- Don't forget to pack your preferred insect repellent to keep the bugs at bay.
- Your safari guides are trained, and extremely knowledgeable, and their top priority is to keep you safe in the wild. Always listen to their advice about how to behave and what to do while on safari.
- Even in fenced camps, it is a good idea not to walk around alone at night. If possible, always have a guide escort you to your tent.
- Food always attracts animals so it’s a good idea not to keep it in your room or tent.
- Though most of your travel expenses will be inclusive, it’s a good idea to take some cash for extra purchases like curios and gifts. US dollars are widely accepted but it is also a good idea to have some Kenyan shillings in supply.
- Major credit cards are usually accepted at larger establishments and cash can be obtained from ATMs in big cities. It is best to organize cash before you arrive. Check with your safari operator to find out if card machines are available at bars and restaurants within your chosen Mara Conservancy.
- Tipping is customary in Kenya. How much is at your discretion and depends on the quality of service and your satisfaction, 10% is a good baseline to work from.
- Kenya is conservative and high emphasis is placed on modesty, good manners, and courtesy.
- It’s important to remember that your guides are experts, and their main job is to keep you safe while delivering an amazing safari experience. If they ask you to do something they will have a good reason.
- Photographs can be a sensitive subject, and not everyone is ok with having their picture taken. It is always a good idea to ask permission before you snap.
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The total area of the Mara Conservancies is almost equal to that of the Masai Mara National Reserve. This land is all community owned by local Maasai people who are pastoralists with a heavy cultural emphasis on owning cattle. The unique fusion of community-led conservation partnerships has led to the reclamation of previously agricultural land and usage agreements are unique to each area and each conservancy. Some areas permit mixed usage while other areas are reserved strictly for wildlife and tourism activities.
As a result, the landscape of the Masai Mara Conservancies is a patchwork of classic African landscapes, savannah and acacia trees, riverine forests, rocky undulating hills, and bush thickets. Some areas are pristine while others have rapidly recovered from exploitation and poor usage while still, more are a mix of used, recovering, and mixed-use environments. Wherever you go, however, you are guaranteed a front-row seat to a dynamic and evolving African landscape centered around wildlife and people.
The conservancy model was first pioneered in Amboseli National Park in the Selenkay area in 1997. Though the model seems an obvious win-win partnership in hindsight, they were first tried in the greater Mara Ecosystem around 2005. Since then, however, there has been positive year-on-year growth, with the conversion from cattle grazing to safari tourism an increasingly popular solution to the socioeconomic challenges of the region.
| Mara Conservancy Maasai Cultural Visits |
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| Another popular Kenya safari activity is a visit to a local Maasai village. Most of the staff at the Mara Conservancy camps are locally employed by the Maasai community. Visits to the Maasai villages or ‘enkana’ are a great way to augment your safari and add a deeper layer of understanding to your Kenya safari experience. Conservancy camps offer optional ‘cultural visits’ often led by staff who live there. The average fee is about US$ 20. |
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The Maasai people are a big part of any Kenyan safari. This is a dynamic, living breathing, and evolving culture. The Maasai are meeting the challenge of the modern world while remaining firmly rooted in their traditional cultural heritage. The Maasai region spreads across the Masai Mara and Amboseli in Kenya and stretches into Tanzania’s Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Tarangire. Numbering over 1.2 million souls, the Maasai are a semi-nomadic people, traditionally pastoralists farming sheep, goats, and cattle. The Maasai live closely with wildlife in these, now-protected areas. Community wildlife conservation conservancies have been redefining conservation.
Take a look at our Masai Mara Conservancy safaris or talk to one of our experienced and knowledgeable African safari consultants to plan your Kenyan safari.
Use the Google map to explore Masai Mara Conservancies.
Fly-in Kenya Safari to Masai Mara Conservancy Areas: staying at tented camps in the private Ol Kinyei and Olare Motorogi Conservancy for night drives and walks.
An affordable fly-in Masai Mara Safari in Kenya (Nairobi return). Stay at a tented safari camp and explore the private Ol Kinyei and Naboisho Conservancy Areas.