Narok County: Complete Guide (2026)
- BeyondForest
- 1 day ago
- 7 min read
Updated: 10 hours ago
1.)About Narok County
2.)Where Is Narok County Located
3.)Neighbouring Counties of Narok
5.)Largest Towns in Narok County
6.)Economic Activities in Narok County
7.)Agriculture in Narok County
8.)Maasai Mara and Tourism in Narok County
10.)What Is Narok County Known For
11.)Population & Size of Narok County
Land area: ≈17,920 km²
Share of Kenya’s land: ~3.1%
Ranking: 11th largest county in Kenya
Altitude range: Up to 3,100m above sea level (Mau Escarpment)
Narok County is one of Kenya’s most strategic and resource-rich counties, located in the southern part of the Rift Valley region. It covers approximately 17,900 square kilometres, making it the 11th largest county in Kenya by land area. The county headquarters is Narok Town, which also serves as the main commercial and administrative hub. Narok borders Kajiado, Nakuru, Bomet, Nyamira, Kisii, and the Republic of Tanzania, positioning it as a key gateway between Kenya and the greater East African region.
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The county derives its name from the Maasai word “Enkare Narok,” meaning black water, in reference to the Narok River that flows through the town. Narok is best known globally for hosting the Maasai Mara National Reserve, one of Africa’s most famous wildlife destinations and home to the Great Wildebeest Migration. Tourism remains a major economic pillar alongside large-scale wheat farming, livestock production, and trade.
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Narok County has a rapidly growing population, exceeding 1.2 million residents, with the Maasai community being the dominant ethnic group, alongside other Kenyan communities. The county also hosts part of the Mau Forest Complex, a critical water catchment area. With vast land, rich culture, wildlife, and increasing public and private investment, Narok County plays a vital role in Kenya’s agriculture, conservation, and tourism economy.
Aerial view of a winding Mara river
Where Is Narok County Located
Narok is larger than countries like Rwanda’s capital region.
Narok County is located in the southern part of Kenya’s Rift Valley region. It lies approximately 140 kilometres south-west of Nairobi and serves as a major transit corridor to the Maasai Mara National Reserve and northern Tanzania. The county borders Kajiado to the east, Nakuru to the north, Bomet, Nyamira, and Kisii to the west, and the Republic of Tanzania to the south, making it a key regional gateway.
Neighbouring Counties of Narok
Main crops:
Wheat
Barley
Maize
Beans
Irish potatoes
Role: One of Kenya’s top wheat-producing counties
Agro-climatic zones: 4 (humid → semi-arid)
Two-thirds of county: Semi-arid
Narok County is bordered by several counties that connect it to both the Rift Valley and western Kenya. To the east, it borders Kajiado County, while Nakuru County lies to the north. On the western side, Narok shares boundaries with Bomet, Nyamira, and Kisii counties. To the south, Narok borders the Republic of Tanzania, strengthening its role as a regional and cross-border economic corridor.
Administrative Units in Narok County
Narok feeds Kenya despite climate pressure
Busy Narok street scene with colorful buildings, cars, motorbikes
Narok county is divided into 6 sub-counties, which include Narok North, Narok South, Narok East, Narok West, Trans Mara East, and Trans Mara West. These sub-counties are further subdivided into 30 wards, which form the lowest political and administrative units. Each ward is represented by an elected Member of County Assembly (MCA) and plays a key role in local development planning and public participation.
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Largest Towns in Narok County
Maasai Mara size: 1,510 km²
Big cats: 25% of Kenya’s total
Wildlife species:
95 mammals & reptiles
400+ bird species
Annual tourists: 158,000+
Peak season: July–September (Great Migration)
Narok County has several key towns that serve as administrative, commercial, and transport hubs. Narok Town is the largest and most developed town, functioning as the county headquarters and the main gateway to the Maasai Mara. Kilgoris is another major town, especially important for agriculture, trade, and access to Trans Mara regions. Suswa plays a strategic role along the Nairobi–Narok highway, while Ololulung’a serves the southern parts of the county near the Tanzania border.
Economic Activities in Narok County
CIDP (2023–2027)
Total planned spending: KSh 138.3 billion
Focus areas:
Agriculture
Infrastructure
Water
Tourism
Health
Education
Narok County’s economy is driven by agriculture, livestock production, tourism, and trade. The county is one of Kenya’s leading producers of wheat and barley, earning it the reputation of being a national food basket. Pastoralism remains a major livelihood, especially among the Maasai community. Tourism, anchored by the Maasai Mara National Reserve, generates significant revenue and employment. Other activities include transport services, small-scale trade, mining (gold, sand, quarrying), and renewable energy projects, all contributing to the county’s growing economy.
Agriculture in Narok County
Priority sectors:
High-impact agriculture
Roads & infrastructure
Health systems
Water projects
The county is widely known for large-scale wheat and barley farming, supplying a significant share of Kenya’s grain needs. Other crops grown include maize, beans, Irish potatoes, and horticultural produce, especially in the highland areas near the Mau Escarpment. Livestock keeping—cattle, sheep, and goats—is dominant in the semi-arid zones. Diverse agro-ecological zones allow both crop farming and pastoralism to thrive.
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Maasai Mara and Tourism in Narok County
Narok is not “rural poor” — it’s capital-intensive.
Tourism in Narok County is anchored by the Maasai Mara National Reserve, one of Africa’s most famous wildlife destinations. The reserve hosts the Great Wildebeest Migration, attracting visitors from around the world between July and September. Tourism generates substantial revenue through park fees, conservancies, lodges, and cultural tourism with local Maasai communities. Beyond Maasai Mara, Narok benefits from wildlife conservancies, eco-tourism, and cultural experiences that support conservation while creating jobs and boosting the local economy.
People, Culture & Language in Narok
Mau Forest Complex: Part of Kenya’s largest closed-canopy forest
Rivers: Mara River feeds Lake Victoria → Nile system
Gold: Kilimapesa mines (Trans Mara South)
Energy:
Geothermal (Suswa)
Solar (Talek)
Wind (borehole pumping)
Man leads three donkeys with bags of greenery, under a large tree in a Narok
Narok County is culturally rich and is predominantly home to the Maasai community, known for their strong traditions, distinctive dress, and pastoral lifestyle. The county is also home to other communities including Kalenjin, Kisii, Kikuyu, Luo, Somali, and the Ogiek minority, making it culturally diverse. The main language spoken is Maa, while Swahili and English are widely used for education, business, and government services.
What Is Narok County Known For
Focus pillars:
Modern agriculture
Tourism & conservation
Urban development
Infrastructure connectivity
Narok County Street scene with a bus, cars, and a motorcycle on a road.
Narok County is best known for the Maasai Mara National Reserve, one of Africa’s most iconic wildlife destinations and the stage for the Great Wildebeest Migration. The county is also famous for large-scale wheat and barley farming, making it a key contributor to Kenya’s food security. Additionally, Narok is recognized for its Maasai culture, expansive rangelands, rich wildlife, livestock production, and its role as a gateway to conservation and tourism in southern Kenya.
Population & Size of Narok County
Narok County covers approximately 17,900 square kilometres, making it the 11th largest county in Kenya by land area. Its vast size supports large-scale agriculture, wildlife conservation, and pastoralism. The county has a population of over 1.2 million people, with steady growth driven by natural increase and economic opportunities in farming and tourism. Population density remains relatively low compared to urban counties, allowing for expansive land use and large conservation areas such as the Maasai Mara.
What are the neighbouring counties of Narok County?
Narok County borders Kajiado, Nakuru, Bomet, Nyamira, and Kisii counties. Its strategic location connects the Rift Valley region with South-Western Kenya.
What is the meaning of Narok?
The name Narok comes from the Maasai word “Enarok,” meaning black or dark, referring to the dark, fertile soils found in parts of the county.
What is the largest town in Narok County?
Narok Town is the largest and main administrative town in the county. It also serves as a key transit point for tourists heading to the Maasai Mara.
What are the main economic activities in Narok County?
The major economic activities in Narok County include wheat farming, livestock keeping, tourism, trade, and transport. Narok is widely regarded as Kenya’s wheat basket.
Which tribe lives in Narok County?
The Maasai community is the dominant ethnic group in Narok County, although other communities such as Kikuyu, Kipsigis, Kisii, and Somali are also present.
What language is mainly spoken in Narok County?
The primary language spoken is Maa (Maasai language). However, Swahili and English are widely used for business, education, and administration.
The Maasai Mara National Reserve is located in Narok County, making the county one of the top tourism destinations in Kenya and Africa.
Who owns Maasai Mara?
Maasai Mara is owned by the Narok County Government and managed in partnership with local Maasai communities through conservancies and tourism agreements.
What is Narok County known for?
Narok County is best known for the Maasai Mara, wildlife tourism, Maasai culture, wheat farming, and large-scale livestock production.
Is Narok past Nairobi?
Yes. Narok County is located south-west of Nairobi, approximately 140 km away via Mai Mahiu or Suswa routes.
Is Narok County the largest in Kenya?
Narok is among the largest counties by land size, but Turkana County is the largest in Kenya.
Looking for Services or Opportunities in Narok County?
We help visitors connect with verified local experts, suppliers, and service providers in Narok — from Maasai Mara tourism and land inquiries to farming, machinery, and conservation services.
Fill in the form Here 👉 and we’ll guide you to the right solution.
Is Narok County good for farming?
Yes. Narok has fertile soils, reliable rainfall in some regions, and vast land, making it ideal for wheat farming, livestock rearing, and forestry activities.
How many wards are in Narok County?
Narok County has 30 wards, spread across several sub-counties for administrative and political representation.
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