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Greater Mara Conservancies Safari Vacations

  • The Greater Mara is made up of a collection of smaller conservancies
  • Situated around the borders of the Maasai Mara National Reserve
  • Opportunity for balloon safaris and local community/culture tours
  • Day and night game viewing
When To Visit Greater Mara Conservancies:
When To Visit Greater Mara Conservancies:
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These conservancies are situated around the Maasai Mara and are perfect for those keen to see a lot of wildlife while enjoying a quieter atmosphere.

As such, they form an extended area for game viewing as the animals are free to roam. A vacation here is an excellent option for travelers who are keen to see a lot of wildlife while enjoying a quieter atmosphere on safari in Kenya! And many camps offer the opportunity to venture into the Maasai Mara National Reserve itself, so you get the best of both worlds. All camps in these conservancies offer game viewing by day and by night, while game walks and bush dinners are perfect for travelers who like to get out of the vehicle now and then! Other things to do include hot air balloon safaris and local community tours.

There are ten conservancies in the Greater Mara that we recommend, all used previously for cattle grazing by landowning Maasai. Wildlife areas have been created via land-use and lease agreements between the local people and safari camp operators, benefiting local communities and wildlife alike! Some favorite conservancies are Mara Naboisho, Mara North, Olare Motorogi, Ol Kinyei, and Ol Derikesi:

Mara Naboisho Conservancy

Mara Naboisho Conservancy is situated to the north of the Maasai Mara National Reserve (MMNR for short). It is the newest conservancy here and boasts over 200 sq. km of savanna and bush, home to impressive numbers of elephant and giraffe. Its lion population is also worth a mention, comprising between 70 and 100 individuals and including the Enesikiria or KGS pride, the area’s largest. Mara Naboisho has plenty of wild dog too. Additionally, it witnesses the Loita Migration of wildebeest and zebra, when huge herds move between the Loita Hills and the MMNR and Mara North Conservancy. Game viewing is excellent all year round.

Mara North Conservancy 

Mara North Conservancy is another great spot for wildlife watching. It too consists of savanna and bush, an area totaling 320 sq. km distinguished by ridges formed by luggas, courses of seasonal streams. Again, there are plenty of plains animals here, as well as loads of lion including the Acacia and Gorge prides. And it is not unusual to spot Maasai herders out with their cattle in Mara North, as the local people retain grazing rights.

More opportunities to view game are presented in the northern Olare Motorogi Conservancy, 133 sq. km in total. This area was once two conservancies, Olare Orok and Motorogi. The former was one of the earliest conservancies and did much to establish the model, proposing a maximum of 12 tents per camp and a minimum of 3 sq. km per tent. It merged with Motorogi in 2012 and continues with its conservation work today.

Ol Kinyei Conservancy

Ol Kinyei Conservancy was established in 2005. It contains just one camp, Porini Mara, but benefits to the Maasai people from this property are phenomenal! The first conservancy to be owned by the local community, from its creation Ol Kinyei has shown how landowners can earn their keep through safari tourism, providing inspiration throughout the region. There is great game viewing here too, with healthy populations of lion, other big cats, and ample herbivores roaming 65 sq. km of plains.

Ol Derikesi Conservancy

Ol Derikesi Conservancy is another example of an area boasting just one amazing property – Cottar’s 1920s Camp. The wildlife count in this conservancy has always been impressive, but it has increased even further since local people agreed to make a cattle-free zone around the camp, at cost to visitors to the area.

Greater Mara Conservancies

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