Masai Mara Conservancies - Discover the Unique Wildlife Areas

The Greater Masai Mara Conservancies

Journey back in time, and you’ll find that the Maasai people coexisted harmoniously with the land and its wildlife. Lions were only hunted as part of a rite of passage for young Maasai warriors. This balance shifted when European hunters discovered the area and its abundant wildlife. The advent of hunting safaris led to a dramatic decline in animal populations, leaving only nine lions by 1961 in the Mara. In response, the Maasai Mara National Reserve was established to protect the land and its wildlife. The conservation efforts have been profound, making the Greater Masai Mara ecosystem one of the most rewarding safari destinations globally. Explore more about the Masai Mara National Reserve.

Challenges in Paradise

With the influx of modern safari enthusiasts and tour operators to the Maasai Mara, local Maasai leaders felt their way of life was under threat, with the region’s popularity benefiting everyone except its original inhabitants. The Maasai living near the reserve were prohibited from grazing their cattle within its boundaries. Historically, this land belonged to the Maasai people and their forebears. The successful wildlife conservation efforts in the reserve also led to increased predator attacks on Maasai cattle. To establish a sustainable future for their people, local Maasai tribal leaders collaborated to create several wildlife conservancies north of the Masai Mara National Reserve.

How Do Masai Mara Conservancies Operate?

With the establishment of Maasai Mara Conservancies, extensive cattle grazing by the Maasai has become a thing of the past. These conservancies, as their name implies, preserve the land and its wildlife. Many Maasai ranches to the north and east of the Masai Mara National Reserve have been transformed into wildlife conservancies. Maasai families owning the conservancies lease their land to safari operators and lodges for a monthly fee. Additionally, safari companies pay Maasai landowners a daily fee for each tourist visiting the wildlife conservancies. These fees are reinvested into the local Maasai community, often funding education or other developmental projects. The land in these conservancies, once overgrazed by cattle, is now conserved, and in some cases, the wildlife density surpasses that of the Masai Mara National Reserve. There are no fences between the conservancies, allowing wildlife to roam freely across the land.

Exclusive Safari Destinations – Less Visitor Numbers

One of the standout features of staying in a conservancy is the sense of exclusivity. To protect wildlife and reduce human impact, Masai Mara conservancies enforce strict guidelines, including a cap on the number of visitors allowed per night (maximum beds per square kilometer). Each wildlife conservancy offers limited accommodation options, keeping visitor numbers low. There’s a stark contrast between being the sole safari vehicle in sight and being caught in a traffic jam of jeeps. Bush traffic jams can be even more frustrating than those at home.

Safari Options at Masai Mara Conservancy

A major advantage of staying at the Masai Mara conservancies is the array of additional safari options available. Conservancies provide the thrill of bush walks, delightful bush meals, cultural interactions with the Maasai, and exciting night game drives. These experiences are unique to the conservancies and not available within the Masai Mara Reserve, which tends to have higher visitor numbers and fewer restrictions, leading to crowded wildlife sightings during peak seasons. Most conservancy safari camps also offer day safaris to the national reserve (additional entrance fees may apply). If you plan your visit during the Great Migration, a day safari into the Masai Mara National Reserve is essential, as the migration is best observed from within the reserve. Day trips into the conservancies from accommodations within the Masai Mara National Reserve are not permitted.

Conservancy Areas for Masai Mara Safari Tourism

Below is an overview of the key Maasai Mara safari areas and conservancies.

Masai Mara National Reserve

Renowned as one of the world’s most iconic safari destinations, the Maasai Mara National Reserve offers everything from the grandeur of the Great Migration to intimate encounters with a diverse range of animals you may never have seen before. From the dramatic wildebeest Mara River crossings to the playful monkeys of Musiara Marsh, the Masai Mara National Reserve is every safari traveler’s dream. Be aware that some reserve sectors can become extremely crowded during peak season, which may affect your safari experience.

Mara Triangle

Nestled between the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, the Mara River, and the Olooloo Escarpment lies the wildlife-rich area of the Maasai Mara National Reserve: The Mara Triangle. With arguably the most breathtaking scenery in the reserve, the volcanic hills and riverine forests of the Mara Triangle host the highest concentration of lions, cheetahs, and various other wildlife species. Discover more about the Mara Triangle.

Mara North Conservancy

Exclusive and private, the Mara North Conservancy, part of the Maasai Mara Conservancies, restricts the number of visitors at any given time. Its diverse landscape, featuring hidden woodlands and expansive open plains, is home to the Big Five and more. From the big cat nursery at Leopard Gorge to the lesser-known wildebeest migration at Loita Hills, the Mara North Conservancy offers something for everyone. Discover more about Mara North Conservancy.

Mara Naboisho Conservancy

True to its name, the Mara Naboisho (‘come together’ in the Maasai or Maa language) Conservancy exemplifies the positive outcomes of collaboration seen in Maasai Mara Conservancies. This conservancy emerged from the joint efforts of over 500 Maasai families working together to preserve their land and wildlife. The result: the Mara Naboisho Conservancy has only seven camps but is home to numerous big cats, herds of wildebeest, giraffes, and elephants. Discover more about

Olare Motorogi Conservancy

The Olare Motorogi Conservancy is part of the Maasai Mara Conservancies and boasts the highest density of lions per square kilometer, yet the lowest density of tourists. Keep an eye on the skies for over 50 different raptor species, or search the acacia woodland and Olare Orok and Ntiakitak river valleys for predators and prey. A success story among all conservancies, Olare Motorogi Conservancy is a safari dream come true. And did we mention that Sir Richard Branson has a safari lodge here? Discover more about Olare Motorogi Conservancy.

Ol Kinyei Conservancy

The Maasai Mara Conservancies’ grassy plains and rolling hills host just two small camps (and two mobile camps). It’s the ideal spot for bush walks and an immersive experience in local Maasai culture. With over 300 bird species, the conservancy is a birdwatcher’s paradise. Prefer larger land animals? The Mara Ol Kinyei Conservancy is home to its own lion pride, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and giraffes. Discover more about Ol Kinyei Conservancy.

Olderkesi Wildlife Conservancy

If solitude, exclusivity, and abundant wildlife are what you seek for your Masai Mara safari holiday, the Maasai Mara Conservancies, including the Olderkesi Wildlife Conservancy, offer unparalleled experiences. This most remote of all conservancies has only one camp with a capacity of twenty rooms. Common sightings at Olderkesi Conservancy include elephants and big cats like lions, leopards, and cheetahs. Discover more about Olderkesi Wildlife Conservancy.

Lemek Conservancy

One of the smallest and most unassuming Maasai Mara Conservancies lies in the northwest corner of the Mara, the Lemek Conservancy. Although migrating herds are less likely to be seen here, there is plenty of game to observe during off-road driving, walking safaris, bush meals, and night safaris.

Ol Choro Oiroua Conservancy

The very remote Ol Choro Oiroua Conservancy, part of the exclusive Maasai Mara Conservancies, offers three accommodations with a total of 65 rooms. To the west lies the Mara River, and to the east, vast open plains with lush green riverine forests. There’s an abundance of wildlife to see in this area, although most animals are permanent residents. Migratory animals rarely venture far north to the Ol Choro Oiroua Conservancy.