Mara North Conservancy – Kenya's Premier Private Wildlife Sanctuary

Mara North Conservancy is a pioneering conservation success story and the largest private conservancy in the Greater Mara ecosystem. Spanning over 74,000 acres (300 square kilometres) of pristine savannah, riverine forest, and acacia woodland, this exclusive wildlife sanctuary offers an unparalleled safari experience away from the crowds of the main Masai Mara National Reserve. Established in 2009 through the collaboration of over 800 Maasai landowners and a handful of safari camps, Mara North Conservancy was created to protect wildlife habitats while ensuring that local communities directly benefit from tourism.

The conservancy operates on a community-owned model where Maasai families lease their land to safari operators, receiving direct income from conservation and tourism. This innovative approach has not only safeguarded one of Africa's most important ecosystems but has also transformed the lives of local communities, funding education, healthcare, and sustainable development initiatives. For travellers seeking an authentic, intimate, and impactful safari experience, Mara North Conservancy represents the very best of what Kenya has to offer.

Mara North Conservancy is where conservation meets community – and where wildlife roams freely across vast, untouched plains.

Features of Mara North Conservancy

Mara North Conservancy offers several distinct features that set it apart from other safari destinations in Kenya. The strict vehicle limit of a maximum of five vehicles per sighting ensures intimate, unhurried wildlife encounters. The conservancy allows activities that are not permitted in the national reserve, including night game drives, walking safaris, and off-road driving. The conservancy is home to the Big Five along with cheetahs, wild dogs, hyenas, and over 500 bird species. During the Great Migration season (July to October), wildebeest and zebra herds spill northward from the reserve into the conservancy. The conservancy is owned and managed by local Maasai communities, with conservation fees directly supporting community development and wildlife protection. The spectacular landscapes include vast open grasslands, the Mara River valley, riverine forests, and the famous Leopard Gorge.

Location and Geography

Mara North Conservancy is located on the northwestern edge of the Masai Mara National Reserve, in southern Kenya. The conservancy shares an unfenced border with the national reserve, allowing wildlife to move freely between the two areas. The landscape is defined by vast open grasslands, acacia and elephant pepper trees, riverine forests along the Mara River, and rocky ridges formed by seasonal streams. The Mara River cuts through the western edge of the conservancy, creating a ribbon of forest that shelters resident leopards, hippos, and an astonishing variety of birds. The famous Leopard Gorge, a rocky outcrop and ravine system, is a prime location for leopard sightings and is one of the conservancy's most celebrated features. The terrain is typical of the Greater Mara ecosystem – rolling savannah plains dotted with rocky kopjes, seasonal streams, and pockets of woodland – providing diverse habitats for an extraordinary range of wildlife.

Wildlife of Mara North Conservancy

Mara North Conservancy is one of Kenya's premier wildlife areas, offering guests the chance to experience Africa's most iconic animals in a truly exclusive setting. The conservancy is home to approximately 90 mammal species and over 500 bird species, making it one of the most biodiverse regions in East Africa. The Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino – roam freely across the conservancy's open plains. Lion prides are resident year-round and are often seen lounging under acacia trees or hunting on the open grasslands.

Leopard sightings are particularly exceptional around Leopard Gorge, where these elusive cats are frequently spotted resting on rocky outcrops or in riverine trees. The conservancy also supports large herds of elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, impalas, topis, and Thomson's and Grant's gazelles. Predators are abundant, with lions, leopards, cheetahs, spotted hyenas, and jackals all present. During the Great Migration (July to October), wildebeest and zebra herds move northward from the Serengeti into the Mara, spilling into the conservancy and creating some of the most spectacular wildlife encounters in Africa. The Mara River and its riverine forests are also home to hippos and Nile crocodiles, while the conservancy's diverse habitats attract a stunning array of birdlife, including fish eagles, kingfishers, hornbills, and migratory species.

Activities and Experiences

Mara North Conservancy offers a range of exclusive safari activities that are not permitted in the main Masai Mara National Reserve, providing guests with a deeper, more immersive wilderness experience.

Getting There

By Air: Scheduled and charter flights operate daily from Nairobi's Wilson Airport to the Mara North Conservancy airstrip. The flight covers a distance of 125 miles and takes approximately 50 minutes. Most lodges and camps arrange airstrip transfers as part of their packages.

By Road: The conservancy is approximately 152 miles (245 kilometres) from Nairobi. The drive takes approximately five hours along the B3 and C13 roads. A 4x4 vehicle is recommended for the final approach to the camps.

Best Time to Visit

Mara North Conservancy offers excellent wildlife viewing year-round, but the experience varies by season. The dry season (June to October) is the peak period, coinciding with the Great Migration when wildebeest and zebra herds spill into the conservancy. Wildlife viewing is exceptional, with animals concentrated around water sources. The weather is sunny and dry, with daytime temperatures averaging 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius).

The wet season (November to May) offers lush green landscapes, lower rates, and fewer visitors. Birdwatching is particularly rewarding during January and February, with over 500 bird species recorded. The short rains fall in November, while the long rains occur between March and early May. During the wet season, roads can become muddy, but the scenery is spectacular and the wildlife remains abundant.

Accommodation in Mara North Conservancy

Mara North Conservancy is home to a carefully curated selection of luxury and eco-friendly camps and lodges, each offering a unique and intimate safari experience. With nearly 700 acres per tent, guests enjoy exceptional privacy and exclusivity.

Practical Information

What to Take

Visitors are advised to carry neutral-coloured clothing, a warm jacket for early morning game drives, sun hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars, camera with telephoto lens, power bank, and comfortable walking shoes for walking safaris.

Conservation Fees

Each guest staying in Mara North Conservancy pays a daily conservation fee (approximately USD 116 per person) that directly supports local Maasai communities and wildlife protection. These fees fund ranger patrols, habitat restoration, community education, and healthcare initiatives.

Important Contacts

• Kenya Wildlife Service Toll Free: 0800 597 000
• WhatsApp: +254 (0) 726 610509
• Email: customerservice@kws.go.ke

Conservation and Community Impact

Mara North Conservancy is a model of community-based conservation. By leasing their land to safari operators and receiving direct income from tourism, the Maasai landowners have a vested interest in protecting wildlife. The conservancy employs local Maasai as rangers, guides, and camp staff, creating sustainable livelihoods and reducing dependence on livestock grazing. Conservation fees fund education, healthcare, and infrastructure projects in surrounding communities.

The conservancy also plays a critical role in wildlife protection, with ranger patrols combating poaching and habitat degradation. By choosing to stay in Mara North Conservancy, travellers directly contribute to the preservation of one of Africa's most important ecosystems and the wellbeing of the Maasai people who call it home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Plan Your Mara North Safari Adventure

Mara North Conservancy offers a safari experience like no other – exclusive, intimate, and deeply connected to the land and its people. Whether you are a first-time visitor to Africa or a seasoned safari-goer, this private wilderness sanctuary promises unforgettable wildlife encounters, breathtaking landscapes, and a genuine sense of purpose, knowing that your visit directly supports conservation and local communities. From the thrill of a night game drive to the serenity of a walking safari, every moment in Mara North is crafted to leave you with memories that will last a lifetime.

Contact us for custom itineraries, group rates, and expert guidance for your Mara North Conservancy safari.