List of All Conservancies & Camps in Maasai Mara (2025 Guide) – Luxury, Budget & Private Options
- BeyondForest
- Mar 4
- 8 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
By the end of this section you will have learnt
2.)List of Conservancies at Maasai Mara
What's your favourite animal is in Maa, it's a close call between 'Olowuaru-keri' the leopard, 'Orkonoi' the hyena, and 'Olbitir' the warthog.-Nashulai Conservancy
Conservancies at the Maasai Mara are community-owned wildlife areas established through partnerships between local Maasai landowners and tourism operators. These conservancies border the main Maasai Mara National Reserve and provide exclusive, low-impact safari experiences. By limiting vehicle numbers, controlling lodge capacities, and allowing activities like off-road driving, night game drives, and walking safaris, conservancies offer more intimate wildlife encounters than the reserve.
They play a vital role in conserving habitats, protecting big cats, and reducing overgrazing. Conservancies also deliver direct financial benefits to Maasai families through land lease payments, employment opportunities, and community development projects.
74,000 acres | northern part of the Maasai Mara | |
35,000-acre | northern part of the Maasai Mara | |
Naboisho Conservancy | 50,000-acre | southern part of the Maasai Mara |
Ol Kinyei Conservancy | 18,700 acres | western part of the Maasai Mara |
19,000 acres | northern edge of the Maasai Mara | |
Ol Choro Oiroua Conservancy | 17,500 acres | northern part of the Maasai Mara |
35,000 acres | eastern boundary of the Maasai Mara | |
Enonkishu Conservancy | 6,000-acre | northern edge of the Maasai Mara |
Mara Siana Conservancy | 25,000 acres | eastern boundary of the Maasai Mara |
Nashulai Conservancy | 3,500-acre | southern edge of the Maasai Mara |
Mara North Conservancy is a private wildlife conservancy covering 74,000 acres in the greater Maasai Mara ecosystem. It is a key part of the Mara Conservancies, offering a sustainable tourism model that balances conservation with the needs of local Maasai communities. The conservancy is home to some of the richest wildlife populations in Africa and is an important corridor for the Great Migration. Mara North is renowned for its high density of predators, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas. It also hosts large herds of elephants, buffalos, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, and antelopes.
The landscape consists of open savannahs, rolling grasslands, riverine forests, and seasonal water sources, providing diverse habitats for wildlife. Unlike the crowded Maasai Mara National Reserve
Mara North limits visitor numbers, ensuring a private and intimate safari experience. Only guests staying in the conservancy’s luxury tented camps and lodges are allowed access, reducing the environmental impact and improving wildlife viewing. Off-road game drives, night safaris, and walking safaris are permitted, allowing unique encounters not possible in the main reserve. For those seeking a low-impact, sustainable, and exclusive safari, Mara North Conservancy offers an unparalleled experience with world-class wildlife viewing, luxurious accommodations, and meaningful conservation efforts.
Olare Motorogi Conservancy is a 35,000-acre private wildlife conservancy located northwest of the Maasai Mara National Reserve. It is one of the most exclusive conservancies in the Mara ecosystem, offering low-impact, high-quality tourism while supporting local Maasai landowners. The conservancy was formed by merging Olare Orok Conservancy and Motorogi Conservancy, creating a vast protected area rich in wildlife and biodiversity .Unlike the busier Maasai Mara National Reserve
Olare Motorogi restricts visitor numbers, ensuring a private and crowd-free safari experience. Only guests staying at the small number of luxury camps within the conservancy are allowed access. Visitors can enjoy off-road game drives, night safaris, and guided walking safaris,
Naboisho Conservancy
The word "Naboisho" comes from the Maa language (spoken by the Maasai people) and means "coming together" or "unity." It reflects the collaborative effort between Maasai landowners and conservationists to create the Naboisho Conservancy, where local communities benefit from wildlife conservation and sustainable tourism.
Image of Naboisho Conservancy by Nodir Tursan
Naboisho Conservancy is a 50,000-acre private wildlife conservancy in the greater Maasai Mara ecosystem, known for its high predator density, exclusive safari experiences, and strong community involvement. Established in 2010, the conservancy follows a sustainable tourism model that protects wildlife while supporting over 500 Maasai landowners who lease their land for conservation.
Ol Kinyei Conservancy
Ol Kinyei Conservancy, located in the northern part of the greater Maasai Mara ecosystem in Narok County, Kenya, spans approximately 18,700 acres (about 7,566 hectares).
Established nearly two decades ago on Maasai-owned land leased for conservation, Ol Kinyei offers low-density safari experiences with only a handful of eco-camps and strict vehicle limits. The conservancy permits off-road and night game drives, delivering exclusive wildlife encounters with big cats, elephant herds, and migration herds.
Tourism revenues directly support the local Maasai community via land-lease payments, employment and community projects, making this conservancy a model of sustainable tourism and conservation.
Lemek Conservancy, located in the northern sector of the Maasai Mara ecosystem, spans approximately 19,000 acres (about 7,700 hectares).
Established by Maasai landowners and managed in partnership with local communities, Lemek offers accessible, high-quality safari experiences with fewer crowds. With open savannahs, wooded riverine areas and prime Big Cat habitat, the conservancy allows off-road drives, walking safaris and night game drives—activities often restricted elsewhere. Tourism revenues are shared with the community through land-lease payments, jobs and development projects, making Lemek both a conservation success story and a meaningful local livelihood initiative.
Ol Choro Oiroua Conservancy, situated in the northern section of the Greater Maasai Mara ecosystem, covers approximately 17,000 acres (about 6,880 hectares).
This pioneering community-based conservation area was one of the first in East Africa, established in the early 1990s under the guardianship of a local trust. Located beside the Mara River, it features open savanna, riverine forest and rolling hills. With limited tourist beds, off-road driving and walking safaris allowed, the conservancy offers an exclusive safari experience while contributing direct lease income and development projects to Maasai landowners.
Mara Siana Conservancy, often called Siana Conservancy, is a community-owned wildlife area located on the eastern edge of the Maasai Mara National Reserve near Sekenani Gate.
The conservancy covers approximately 30,000–35,000 acres (about 120–140 km²), offering a spacious wilderness experience with fewer vehicles and limited lodges. On Maasai-owned land, it serves as an important wildlife corridor between the reserve and the Loita Plains.
With off-road driving, guided walking safaris and night drives allowed, Siana provides more intimate safari encounters. Tourism revenue supports local Maasai families through land-lease payments and community development.
Enonkishu Conservancy
Enonkishu Conservancy, located on the northern boundary of the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem, covers approximately 6,000 acres (about 2,428 hectares).
This community-led initiative brings together Maasai pastoralist families in a cooperative model that balances livestock grazing, wildlife conservation and tourism. With a strong focus on regenerative grazing, mobile bomas and protected corridors, the conservancy offers excellent wildlife sightings away from crowds, while supporting the local community through lease-payments and enterprise development. Guests enjoy an authentic wilderness experience, guided drives, walking safaris and cultural immersion in a dynamic conservation landscape.
Nashulai Conservancy
Nashulai Conservancy, located on the eastern edge of the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, covers approximately 5,000 acres (about 2,023 hectares).
Founded in 2016, this is the first Maasai-owned and managed wildlife conservancy in the Mara. It serves as a critical wildlife corridor linking the reserve with adjacent lands, facilitating elephant migration and big-cat movements.
With limited lodges, low vehicle numbers, walking safaris and cultural experiences, Nashulai offers a more intimate, community-centred safari experience. Tourism revenue supports Maasai land-owners, education programmes, habitat restoration and local entrepreneurial ventures.
Mara North operates as a community-based conservancy, with over 800 Maasai landowners leasing their land for conservation in exchange for revenue. This model supports wildlife protection, habitat conservation, and local livelihoods. The conservancy also funds education, healthcare, and anti-poaching programs in the region.
1.)Low Vehicle Density & Uncrowded Sightings
Conservancies limit the number of vehicles per sighting, ensuring intimate wildlife encounters without the crowding seen inside the main reserve.
2. Off-Road Driving Allowed
Most conservancies permit off-road driving, giving guides the freedom to follow predators, get closer to sightings, and provide better photographic angles.
3. Night Game Drives
Unlike the main reserve, conservancies allow night drives where you can spot hyenas, leopards, lions, servals and other nocturnal wildlife.
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4. Walking Safaris
Guided bush walks led by Maasai rangers offer a unique, immersive experience that is not allowed inside the national reserve.
5. Exceptional Wildlife Density
With fewer vehicles and carefully managed land, conservancies often have higher concentrations of big cats, elephants, giraffes, and plains game.
6. Direct Community Benefits
Conservancy fees go directly to Maasai landowners through lease payments, helping fund schools, clinics, and local livelihoods making tourism genuinely sustainable.
7. Better Conservation Practices
Restricted grazing, controlled tourism numbers, and ranger patrols help protect habitats and reduce human–wildlife conflict.
8. Exclusive Lodges & High-Quality Guiding
Conservancies host some of Kenya’s top camps with excellent guides, personalized service, and world-class safari experiences.
9. Peaceful, Private Wilderness Areas
With strict limits on camps and tourists, conservancies offer tranquility, privacy, and untouched landscapes ideal for honeymooners and photographers.
10. Easy Access to the Main Reserve
Guests can enjoy the exclusivity of a conservancy while still taking full-day trips into the Maasai Mara National Reserve for migration crossings.
1.) Higher Costs Compared to the Main Reserve
Conservancies often charge premium rates (USD 80–120 per night), which can make them unaffordable for budget travelers.
2. Limited Lodges & Availability
Because conservancies restrict bed numbers to reduce crowding, accommodation fills up quickly during migration season.
3. Restricted Self-Drive Access
Most conservancies do not allow self-driving. Visitors must stay at an approved camp and use lodge vehicles, increasing costs.
4. No Day-Visitors Allowed
Unlike the main reserve, conservancies are exclusive to guests staying inside them — you can’t pay at the gate and enter.
5. Activities May Vary by Conservancy Rules
Some conservancies do not allow , Off-road driving, Night game drives and Walking safaris(Each conservancy sets its own rules.)
6. Not Ideal for Short, Low-Budget Trips
Travelers on a tight budget or doing a quick one-day safari may find the main reserve more convenient and flexible.
7. Location Limitations
Some conservancies are farther from the Mara River crossing points, making migration river-crossing sightings less accessible unless you combine with a day in the main reserve.
What is a conservancy in the Maasai Mara?
A conservancy is community-owned land set aside for wildlife conservation. Local Maasai landowners lease their land to tourism operators, creating wildlife-friendly areas with low vehicle density and exclusive lodges.
How many conservancies are in the Greater Maasai Mara?
There are over 15 established conservancies, including Olare Motorogi, Mara Naboisho, Ol Kinyei, Lemek, Mara North, Ol Chorro, Siana, and others.
What is the difference between a conservancy and the Maasai Mara National Reserve?
The national reserve is public land managed by county governments, while conservancies are private/community-managed areas with limited vehicles, fewer tourists, and more exclusive experiences.
Are conservancies better for wildlife viewing?
Yes. Conservancies offer less crowding, off-road driving (in most), night game drives, walking safaris, and excellent predator sightings.
Can I access the national reserve from conservancies?
Most conservancies border the main reserve, and lodges can arrange full-day game drives into the reserve at an additional fee.
Are conservancies safe to visit?
Yes. They are well-managed, secure, and staffed with trained guides, rangers, and conservancy wardens.
Are park fees different in conservancies?
Yes. Each conservancy sets its own conservation fee, usually between USD 80–120 per person per night, depending on the area and lodge category.
Can budget travelers visit conservancies?
Most conservancy lodges are mid-range to luxury, but some offer budget-friendly tented camps just outside their boundaries with access upon payment of conservancy fees.
Do conservancies support the local Maasai community?
Absolutely. A portion of every guest’s fee goes directly to landowners, supporting families, schools, and local development.
Which conservancy is the best in Maasai Mara?
Top-rated conservancies include Olare Motorogi (big cats), Naboisho (high animal density), Mara North (authentic wilderness), and Ol Kinyei (excellent predator–prey interactions).
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