Private Concessions of the Masai Mara

Bordering the national reserve, the Masai Mara's private conservancies embody a new way of travelling: more exclusive, more responsible and deeply rooted in the preservation of wildlife and Maasai culture. Owned by local communities or managed in partnership with them, these lands allow high-end tourism and sustainable development to coexist.

To the north, the Mara North Conservancy, founded in 2009 as a non-profit organisation, covers 300 km² along the Mara River. Here, vehicle numbers are strictly limited, guaranteeing low-key safaris far from the crowds. It's not unusual to encounter the “Big Five”, and occasionally, with a bit of luck, an elusive rhino.

Further south, Olare Motorogi stands out for its exclusivity. Among the best preserved of the conservancies, it was created when the Maasai agreed to give up grazing land and villages to establish a sanctuary dedicated to wildlife. Little affected by modern development, this territory attracts elephants, lions and other predators in peace.

Further south still, Naboisho — meaning “coming together” in Maa — is a 200 km² conservancy crossed by the Great Migration. Owned by Maasai communities, it welcomes a limited number of visitors to maintain a sustainable balance between tourism, conservation and cultural heritage.