Masai Mara Conservancies Budget Travel Guide

Why Visit the Masai Mara Conservancies?

The Masai Mara Conservancies are private wildlife conservancies that surround Kenya’s iconic Masai Mara National Reserve.

There are 15 Masai Mara conservancies, including Olare Motorogi, Naboisho, and Ol Kinyei, to mention a few. These community-managed areas offer an exciting alternative to safaris in the Masai Mara. Owned by Maasai landowners, the conservancies focus on supporting local communities and conservation, and offer privacy and exclusivity.

Wildlife spills over from the national reserve, and game viewing, including Big 5 sightings, is excellent. But, unlike the public reserve, the Masai Mara conservancies have their own rules, which allow for a more intimate safari experience. Guided walking safaris, night drives, and off-road driving are all possible in the Mara conservancies, making it an excellent choice for a Kenya safari.

The Masai Mara conservancies offer intimate safari experiences, responsible travel, and, being located on the borders of the national reserve, easy access to the highlights of the Masai Mara like the Great Migration.

Fantastic Wildlife Without the Crowds

There are no fences separating the Mara conservancies like Olare Motorogi, Naboisho, and Ol Kinyei from the national reserve.

Wildlife moves freely between areas, and often seeks refuge in the quieter conservancies. The result is exceptional game viewing, with high concentrations of the Big 5 and predators like cheetahs, leopards, and lions.

Following a low-impact tourism model, the Mara conservancies are closed to day visitors, limit the number of guests in the protected areas, and do not allow more than five vehicles at a wildlife sighting. The Masai Mara conservancies offer an exclusive safari alternative to the Masai Mara National Reserve, which can be crowded during the peak safari season.

In addition to the abundant wildlife within the conservancies, day trips into the Masai Mara allow visitors to witness the drama of the Great Migration crossings on the Mara River.

However, for intimate encounters, fewer tourists, and remarkable biodiversity, the conservancies are unrivalled.

Night Drives and Walking Safaris: What You Can’t Do in the Masai Mara

Unlike the main Masai Mara National Reserve, the conservancies have their own rules.

In the Masai Mara conservancies like Olare Motorogi, Naboisho, and Ol Kinyei, off-road safaris, night drives, and guided walking safaris are all possible.

Safaris are led by local Maasai guides with intimate knowledge of the land, wildlife, and seasonal rhythms. Getting off the beaten track at different times of day allows for up-close wildlife encounters and the chance to see nocturnal species like aardvarks, porcupines, and leopards on the hunt.

There are no day visitors allowed within the Masai Mara conservancies, and guest numbers are strictly controlled. Intimate safari experiences are further guaranteed by limiting the number of safari vehicles at sightings to 5.

The result is a more immersive safari experience where wildlife behaves naturally and travellers connect meaningfully with the landscape while positively contributing to a sustainable future.

Conservation, Community and Responsible Tourism

Emphasising the coexistence between wildlife and local Maasai communities, the conservancies directly address the human-wildlife interface in a country where 65% of wildlife exists outside of protected areas.

The Masai Mara conservancies cover about 1,450 km² of land owned by over 14,500 Maasai landowners. The conservancy model represents a groundbreaking model of conservation and community partnership.

The conservancy areas like Ol Kinyei, Naboisho, and Olare Motorogi are leased by local communities to private safari operators, who in turn provide infrastructure, employment, and essential services like schools and clinics.

Operating independently of Kenya’s national parks, but with no fences restricting movement, wildlife roams freely. The approach fosters healthier wildlife populations, as animals seek refuge in these quieter zones, while local Maasai benefit through income, employment, and cultural exchange.

The overall effect is a unique safari experience with epic wildlife viewing and a closer connection to the land and its people.

The Masai Mara Conservancies and the Great Migration

While day visitors are not allowed into the Masai Mara conservancies, they are allowed into the Masai Mara for an additional park fee.

The Masai Mara Conservancies offer abundant wildlife viewing in an uncrowded, intimate setting, with fewer restrictions on movements and expert guides. They are a great place to witness the Big 5, as well as other game and wildlife action year-round.

To see the dramatic river crossings of the Great Migration, one must visit the Masai Mara National Reserve. To this end, conservancy guests can enjoy guided day trips into the reserve to witness these iconic scenes. Needless to say, during the migration season, the Masai Mara has become notorious for a crowded safari experience.

The conservancies, set on the edges of the Masai Mara National Reserve, combine the best of both worlds. Easy access to the spectacle of the migration, and the intimate, crowd-free private safari experience. Read more about the Pros and Cons of the Masai Mara and the Masai Mara Conservancies here.

Need Help Planning Your Safari to the Masai Mara Conservancies?

At African Budget Safaris, our experienced Africa-based consultants are here to help you plan the perfect safari to the Masai Mara conservancies. Whether you're after a short getaway to witness the great migration, or a multi-destination adventure to East Africa’s safari hotspots, we offer small group or private safaris, packaged tours or tailor-made itineraries. While safaris to the Masai Mara conservancies can be more expensive, the exclusivity, access to the Masai Mara, and quality of the experience are worth the cost. African Budget Safaris specialise in safaris designed to suit your budget and travel style. Talk with one of our safari experts for advice that you can trust, and start planning your Masai Mara safari today.

When is the best time to visit Masai Mara?

The best time to visit the Masai Mara conservancies is from June to October, during the dry season and the Great Migration.

The Masai Mara from June to October

Peak safari season in the Masai Mara is all about the Great Migration.

Days are warm and nights are cool, and animals favour areas with permanent water. The lack of rain means fewer mosquitoes. However, this is the busiest time of year, prices are at a premium and booking in advance is essential.

To see the Great Migration, easy day trips from the Masai Mara conservancies into the Masai Mara National Reserve are easy to arrange. Epic landscapes combine with exceptional game viewing, herds of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelles, and an entourage of predators waiting to eat their fill. Dramatic Mara River crossings are the highlight of the Great Migration and not to be missed.

November to March in the Masai Mara Conservancies

In November and December, the short rains fall, bringing fresh new growth and far fewer tourists to Kenya for safaris.

This quieter period is perfect for bird watching as the migratory birds arrive for the green season to breed.

While January and February are drier months, they offer excellent game viewing. Predator encounters are especially good due to the abundance of newborn gazelles, wildebeest, and zebras.

This is an excellent time of year for photography as the landscapes remain lush.

The Masai Mara Conservancies in April & May

The wettest months, April and May, see heavy rains that transform the Masai Mara into a lush paradise.

Wildlife is abundant, but with high grass and thick vegetation, it is challenging to spot. Roads become flooded, and many of the camps close for the duration of the soggy season.

The upside is the lower rates offered by the camps that do stay open, the lush green vistas, and the exceptional light are perfect for photography.