Masai Mara National Reserve vs. Masai Mara Conservancies

Masai Mara National Reserve vs. Masai Mara Conservancies: Differences between Masai Mara Reserve and Masai Mara Conservancies

Most travelers do not know the different between the two. If having an Africa Safari dream coming true, then Masai Mara National Reserve and conservancies are one of the best places on earth to visit. The two never fail to entice and excite.

Visiting the iconic Masai Mara is one of the highlights of any safari to Kenya. In the grand Mara Ecosystem it is better to know that there is the Masai Mara National Reserve and Masai Mara Conservancies. 

Masai Mara National Reserve

Masai Mara National Reserve Reserve established in 1961. By this time it only consisted of 520 square kilometers including The Mara Triangle. Later, the area extended to the east and converted to a Game Reserve. The Masai Mara is renowned for its highest concentration of wild animals in the world. More than 40% of Africa’s large mammals can be found in the endless plains of Masai Mara.

Masai Mara Conservancies

Aside from the main Masai Mara National Reserve, there are a dozen community conservancies, several group ranches and quite a few Maasai villages in the area. These conservancies are privately owned by Maasai locals.

What is a Conservancy?

A conservancy refers to a very specific form of land and wildlife conservation whereby landowners enter into lease agreements with safari operators. In case Masai Mara, thousands of small-scale farmers and resident who own small pieces of land came together, put their properties together and enter into contracts with safari operators in return for monetary compensation and other assistance, which could be anything from educational and healthcare programmes to livestock management and grazing management.

Note: a conservancy differs from a concession, which is normally when a safari operator rents a tract of land from the state of government.

The first Mara Conservancy established in 2005. Since then, the number has gradually increased to the current 15 conservancies covering an area of 347,011 acres. Conservancies are privately managed. Because of this, they have stricter control on the number of visitors, creating exclusivity. This is done whilst retaining the freedom to offer a wider range of safari activities not available in the main reserve.

Fees paid to the local Maasai people by the safari organisations is invested in the local Maasai Community.  Generally, fees collected are used for education or other developmental initiatives in the community.

Staying at one of the Masai Mara Conservancies has some added benefits, such as having an entire range of safari options available to you. Also, conservations offer the excitement of unique activities. These include bush walks, lovely bush meals, cultural interaction with the Maasai and exciting night game drives. This is unique and only offered in the Masai Mara Conservancies as it is not offered in the main – Masai Mara National Reserve.

Conservancies in Masai Mara National Reserve include

• Mara North Conservancy
• Naboisho Conservancy
• Ol Kinyei Conservancy
• Olare Motorogi
• Lemek Conservancy
• Ol Choro Oiroua Conservancy

Differences between Masai Mara Conservancies and Masai Mara National Reserve

Masai Mara Conservancies

• Masai Mara Conservancies do not crowd. This is because the strict limit on guest numbers on a number of acres per guest tent basis
• Staying in a conservancy do not limit you to make daily visit to the Masai Mara National Reserve
• Conservancies offer a more flexible approach to safari activities where off-road driving, walking safaris and night drives are all permitted.
• Only 5 vehicles per wildlife sighting rule is more effective at the conservancies which makes for excellent sightings and less pressure on individual animals
• The land is owned by the Maasai local people (land owners) who lease it to tourist partners and organizations.
• Only tourists staying in the conservancy can do game drives in the conservancy, those staying outside cannot do game drives in the conservancy.
• The wildebeest migration does not take place in the conservancies
• By staying at a Masai Mara Conservancy, you can experience the luxury of exclusive wildlife viewing and contribute to community conservation, improving local communities’ lives and helping wildlife numbers increase.

Masai Mara National Reserve

• This iconic reserve is famous for the Wildebeest Migration and the popular Mara River Crossing happens here.
• Rhinos are in Masai Mara National Reserve only. The Mara Triangle is popular because of this rare creature.
• There are no restrictions on the number of the vehicles at the wildlife sighting.
• Anyone can enter the reserve by parking the park fees.
• The County Government owns and manages the reserve land.
• Off-road driving, walking safaris and night game drives are not in the Masai Mara National reserve.

Conclusion of Masai Mara National Reserve vs. Masai Mara Conservancies. In conclusion, Masai Mara Conservancies and Masai Mara National Reserve are in essence two sides of the same coin. Both have their own advantages and whichever you choose, you can be certain of the incredible safari experience that waits you in this iconic region of East Africa.