Masai Mara conservancies
Masai Mara conservancies : Together, the Masai Mara ecosystem in Kenya and the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania cover an area of over 25,000 square kilometres, which is larger than many nations. The great migration, regarded as one of nature’s seven wonders, occurs in this habitat. The Masai Mara, located in Kenya, makes up the northern portion of this ecosystem and covers an area of around 1500 sq. km.
The Masai Mara National Reserve, Mara Triangle, and other conservancies—basically Masai community-owned lands—make up the larger Mara ecosystem in Kenya. The Masai Mara national reserve is what most people call to as “Masai Mara” informally because it is owned and administered by the government. However, these conservancies are also a crucial component of this ecosystem, are abundant with animals, and are home to some of the best resorts in the Mara. It is the most frequented place for safari in Kenya.
Mara Naboisho Conservancy
Kenya is home to the huge 50,000-acre Mara Naboisho Conservancy. This conservancy, which borders the Mara Naboisho National Reserve, works as a buffer in the ecosystem and extends the protection of species to places outside the reserve. Among other herbivores, common species in this area include gazelles, zebras, giraffes, impalas, and hippos. Big cats including lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas are also seen in the area. Here are also found rare species like aardvarks, honey badgers, caracals, and aardwolves.
Here, rare bird species including the Pigmy Falcon, Northern White-Crowned Shrike, Buffalo-weavers, Bush Pipits, and Deckens Hornbills can be seen, which is a delight for birdwatchers visiting the area. By limiting the amount of vehicles entering this region, the conservancy strictly regulates foot traffic, ensuring that human effect on the ecosystem and wildlife is kept to a minimal. More than 500 local landowners get support from the conservancy in the form of jobs, access to clean water, healthcare, schools, and other community initiatives. This initiative can become more sustainable because a significant portion of the conservancy charge is also invested in the neighbourhood. The conservancy’s 50,000 acres are home to a variety of campgrounds, including Encounter Mara, Naboisho Camp, Kicheche Valley Camp, Basecamp Eagle View, Ol Seki Mara Camp, and Basecamp Wilderness.
Olare Motorogi
The Masai Mara Game Reserve is bordered by this conservation area. Olare Orok and Motorogi, two sub-conservancies, merge at this location. This beautiful institution, which spans 35,000 acres of land, offers an abundant habitat to the numerous animals who call this place home. It includes the 12-kilometer-long related escarpment and the lower river valleys of the Ntiakitiak and Orok rivers. There are migratory routes in this buffer zone used by animals like wildebeest. These regions are home to numerous lion prides, numerous elephant herds, and endangered animals including wild dogs and rhinos. Olare Motorogi’s accomplishments have acted as a role model for other neighbourhood conservancies, assisting in the communal protection of the natural balance over hundreds of thousands of acres.
The conservancy severely restricts the movement of tourists and has 52 rooms, one per over 650 acres, spread among six different lodgings, including Mahali Mzuri, Porini Lion Camp, Mara Plains Camp, Olare Mara Kempinski, Mara Expedition Camp, and Kicheche Bush Camp. By implementing stringent environmental regulations, the conservancy makes sure that environmental impact is kept to a minimal. The Olare Orok and Motorogi Trust aids in bringing the advantages of conservation to the whole neighbourhood.
Lemek Conservancy
One of the best game viewing places in the Masai Mara is the Lemek Conservancy, which has a surface area of roughly 19,000 acres. Mara North’s territory was reduced in size as a result of some of Lemek’s land being combined with it. Prior to it, the lands belonged to Masai family; however, Koyaiki Ranch now owns them. Here, a wide variety of herbivores, carnivores, and bird species can be found. The traditional game drive, the night game drive, and off-the-beaten-path safaris are available activities. Because of local encroachment, the local wildlife habitats are at jeopardy. The local government is making every effort to strike a balance between the requirements of the community and ecological preservation in this regard. Game watching is really good in the expansive grasslands with the trees.The most prevalent species in this area are leopards and wildebeests. There are two mid-range lodging options, whose income supports the needs of the neighbourhood. The Mara River Lodge and Enkerende Tented Camp are the two member lodgings, and the conservancy has 87 rooms, one for every 200 acres.
Ol Kinyei conservancy
Over 18,700 acres, the Ol Kinyei conservancy is situated in Kenya’s Serengeti-Mara region. It is well known for its stunning landscape, gushing rivers and streams, and rocky terrain. Lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, elephants, and Cape buffalo are all abundant in the area. A fantastic place to see the Serengeti Wildebeest migration is this conservation area. In addition to these, the region is home to numerous mammalian, bird, and reptile species. The landowner-designated livestock exclusion zones encourage the preservation of flora, fauna, and their natural habitats. Owners of the property who work here make up 90% of the workforce and receive compensation for leasing it to guest camps. This guarantees that the neighbourhood will also profit. With only 15 rooms—or one room for every 1150 acres—between two member establishments—Ol Kenyei Gamewatchers Adventure Camp and Porini Bush Camp—the conservancy assures a low tourist density.
Ol Choro Oiroua
The Masai Mara National Reserve’s northern region contains this 17,000-acre conservancy. It is overseen by Fairmont, Kenya, and operated by Seiya Limited. The methods of waste management used here are admirable; recyclable materials are turned into handicrafts, jewellery, and sculptures. This attempt accomplishes two goals at once: it provides revenue for the native population and reduces pollution that would otherwise harm both terrestrial and aquatic flora and animals. The money made from tourism is used to pay for things like education, infrastructure upkeep, security, and the protection of animals. The local Masai children now attend Enkerende School, a primary school built with money from the conservancy. Elephants and the occasional lion pride can be seen frequently in this area in terms of fauna. Between its three lodgings—Richard’s Forest Camp, Fairmont Mara Safari Club, and Ngerende Island Lodge—the conservancy has 65 rooms, one per 250 acres.
Mara North Conservancy
The Mara North Conservancy (MNC), formerly known as Koyaiki Lemek Conservation Area, is a non-profit association made up of more than 800 landowners and an eleven-person camp. This conservancy adds roughly 21% more land to the Masai Mara National Reserve, covering an area of 70,000 acres. When animals like zebras and wildebeests go through this region as part of the yearly “Great Migration,” the conservancy serves as a crucial dispersal zone. Numerous herbivores and predators can find habitat thanks to the environment. The Big 5 predators, also known as the lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and African buffalo, stand out among these.
Here are also found numerous species that are endangered or threatened with extinction. The 70,000 hectares of land are divided into twelve member lodgings, totaling 700 rooms. Here, visitors can partake in Kenya safari activities like night game drives and bush walks that aren’t permitted inside the reserve. The money earned from conservancy fees is invested in the neighbourhood as well as in the preservation and conservation of animals. A total of 12 camps are available for guests, including Kicheche Mara Camp, Mara Acacia Bush House, Mara Rianta Camp, Mara Bush House, Karen Blixen Camp, Offbeat Mara Camp, Royal Mara Safari Lodge, Elephant Pepper Camp, Saruni Mara, Ngare Serian, Saruni Wild, and Serian.
