There are a total of 15 Mara conservancies found in the Masai Mara, and all of these are working with The Masai Mara Wildlife Conservancies Association, also known as “MMWCA.” The conservancies mainly consist of the local Maasai people who live around the Masai Mara.
The Masai Mara Wildlife Conservancies Association is committed to protecting the greater Masai Mara ecosystem through a network of protected areas. The mission of the association is “To grow and strengthen Mara conservancies for wildlife and livelihood improvement,” while the vision is “A vibrant and unified Mara ecosystem where the community and wildlife coexist sustainably for the prosperity of all.”
The conservancies cover an area of 1,450 square kilometers so far, and the number of tourism partners has also increased over the years.
Mara North Mara North was established in 2009 with 74,000 acres and 788 lease agreements ranging between 5 and 15 years each. The area is home to the Lemek hills and habitats for wild dogs and is the location for the BBC’s “Big Cat Diaries” that featured Acacia.
Mara Naboisho Naboisho was founded in 2010, covering 50,000 acres of land with 500 Maasai landowners. Its features include controlled cattle grazing, a private airstrip, and the Enesikiria lion pride, which consists of about 70-100 lions.
Olare Motorogi Olare Motorogi was founded in 2006, covering an area of 329,000 acres, owned by 277 Maasai landowners. The camp is home to the Enkoyonai lion pride, rhinos, and wild dogs. The land has been secured from incompatible usage, and efforts include integrated livestock management, beekeeping projects, and snare removal.
Ol Kinyei Ol Kinyei was established in 2005, covering an area of 18,700 acres with 171 private Maasai landowners paid per acre leased and per bed night. Ninety percent of the lodge staff are from the community. Over 300 species of birds are found in this area, which boasts one of the highest lion density populations in the country.
Mara Triangle The Mara Triangle was created in 2001 under the Trans Mara County Council. This is one of the best conservancies at the Masai Mara because it is an entry and exit point for the great wildebeest migration and is bordered by the Mara River, which acts as a natural barrier, keeping other animals within the triangle.
Olderkeri The Olderkeri Conservancy was established when the Olderkesi Group Ranch set aside some land for conservation purposes. Since then, the wildlife population has increased within the area. Revenue generated from the conservancy is used to support the community through healthcare and education.
Siana Conservancy The Siana Conservancy was established in 2010, covering an area of 29,000 acres. It was created by the Siana Group Ranch with the aim of protecting wildlife. The conservancy now hosts a number of research projects.
Lemek Conservancy The Lemek Conservancy area was initially owned by private Maasai people before transitioning to the Koyaiki Group Ranch. The revenue generated is used to help local communities. There are two budget accommodations at the conservancy.
Ol Choro Oiroua Conservancy The Ol Choro and Oiroua conservancies are managed by Seiya Limited with the help of Fairmount Kenya. The Enkerende School was established with revenue generated from the conservancy. Cultural and wildlife preservation are at their peak at the conservancy.
Enonkishu Conservancy The Enonkishu Conservancy, owned by 42 Maasai people, covers an area of 5,928 acres. The main aim of the establishment was to improve cattle management programs alongside novel tourism projects.
Nashulai Maasai Conservancy The Nashulai Maasai Conservancy was established in 2016 to protect a wildlife corridor and an elephant nursery. It has 71 Maasai landowners and covers 6,000 acres of land.
Olarro North and South Conservancy The Olarro North and South Conservancies were established by 2,200 private Maasai landowners with the aim of solving human-wildlife conflicts. The conservancies now have two camping sites.
Oloisukut Conservancy The Oloisukut Conservancy covers a total area of 23,000 acres and is owned by 65 people. They have so far built two camping sites.
Pardamat Conservancy The Pardamat Conservancy is privately owned by 850 people, covering an area of 26,000 hectares for wildlife conservation. The conservancy connects to four other conservancies and is also a wildlife corridor.
Most people prefer watching wildlife in the conservancy areas rather than in the public reserve because the conservancies are less congested with tourists and now have a higher concentration of wildlife. Some of the wildlife species found in the Masai Mara include wildebeests, zebras, Thomson’s gazelles, hyenas, cheetahs, lions, leopards, elephants, waterbucks, giraffes, bushbucks, and so much more.
The conservancies also now attract avifauna, and some of the bird species you can spot are the southern ground hornbill, African jacana, Schalow’s turaco, common secretary bird, helmeted guinea fowl, shoebill storks, white-backed vulture, common ostrich, Ross’s turaco, Meyer’s parrot, African fish eagle, Narina trogon, saddle-billed stork, African green pigeon, Ayres’s hawk-eagle, Denham’s bustard, long-tailed cormorant, giant kingfisher, yellow-rumped tinkerbird, spot-flanked barbet, and many more.