Not interchangeable
The Mara conservancies, one by one
They are lumped together in most itineraries. They differ in bed density, price, terrain and how much walking they allow.
The six
Where each one sits, and what it is like
Mara North
One of the larger conservancies, north-west of the reserve. Strong resident lion, good year-round game, a spread of camps at different price points.
Olare Motorogi
Directly north of the reserve, known for high predator density and famously low vehicle numbers. Among the most expensive land in the Mara per bed.
Naboisho
East of Olare Motorogi, big and varied, with some of the best walking in the ecosystem and excellent lion. Often better value than its neighbours.
Ol Kinyei
Small, quiet and among the earliest conservancies. Very low bed density; the trade-off is fewer camps to choose from.
Lemek
North of Mara North, less visited, working pastoral land as well as wildlife range.
Ol Choro Oiroua
North-west, with a long-standing rhino protection programme and quieter drives.
How to choose between them
In practice the choice is made for you by three things: your dates, your budget, and which camps have space. Rather than picking a conservancy and hunting for a camp, tell us what you want from the days and we will work backwards.
What genuinely differs:
- Bed density. The lower it is, the fewer vehicles, and the higher the price. This is the main axis.
- Distance to the reserve. Matters only in crossing season, when you may want to drive in.
- Terrain. Some are open plains, some are rockier and more wooded, which changes what you see and how easily.
- Activities. Walking and night drives are permitted across the conservancies, but not every camp runs them well.
- Camp choice. A small conservancy may have only two or three camps, so availability decides for you.
Why we do not rank them
Any ranking would be out of date within a season and would mostly reflect which camps pay the most commission. The conservancy that is right for you in February is not necessarily the one that is right in August.
We name specific conservancies and camps in your quote, with the reasons, once we know your dates and your tolerance for other vehicles.
More from our Kenya guides
Specialist guides across our Kenya network
Each of these is a focused guide we publish. Same Kenya specialist behind every enquiry.
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