Mara Naboisho Conservancy In Masai Mara
Mara Naboisho Conservancy
Bordering the famed Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, the Mara Naboisho Conservancy is one of the second largest Masai Mara conservancy, an example of success stories of community conservancies.
Naboisho (Maasai for ‘coming together’), has one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in the Masai Mara region, and while high game-viewing standards are enforced – not only to improve the viewing experience, but also to protect the wildlife – the conservancy is free of the restrictions that make so many national park safaris.
Expect Kenya’s luxury tented camps, a strong track record on sustainability, walking safaris, night safaris and so much more.
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Mara Naboisho Landscape & Scenery
The Mara Naboisho Conservancy is a 50,000 acre wildlife conservation area in Kenya’s Greater Mara Region. It borders the Masai Mara National Reserve to the south west, the Olare Motorogi Conservancy to the west and the Ol Kinyei Conservancy to the east.
The terrain of the Mara Naboisho is a wonderful mix of picturesque rolling hills, low rocky escarpments, acacia filled woodlands, scenic river valleys and extensive savannah grasslands dominate, providing a wildlife sanctuary to herds of elephant, giraffe, wildebeest and many lions. With only nine safari camps in operation at the conservancy this is just the place to be.
Reasons To Visit Naboisho Conservancy
What sets the Mara Naboisho Conservancy apart is not only the quantity of wildlife, but also the quality of game viewing given its size and the limited number of guests. Simply put, the experience is exceptional not only because of what you get to see, but also because of how you get to see it.
1. Experience Unspoiled Wildlife Viewing
Thanks to the limit on the number of safari camps and vehicles allowed inside the conservancy, wildlife sightings are as good as its bigger sister, the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Today, the conservancy boasts one of the highest densities of lion in Africa, large herds of elephant, resident leopard and a variety of plains game. The border to the Masai Mara is unfenced, allowing animals to move freely between the reserve and the conservancy. During the high season safari months, when the Masai Mara is very busy, neighboring Naboisho Conservancy provides the perfect stopover for impressive game viewing and exclusivity.
2. Experience Day And Night Game Drives
Generally, guests usually enjoy two game drives daily, one in the morning and another in the afternoon.
Morning drives ensure you capture the day’s first sightings, they’re also the perfect way to capture the beauty of the African landscapes at sunrise, and you have an advantage of requesting a stopover for a cup of coffee breakfast in the bush.
Afternoon drives are a compulsory safari experience, allowing you to catch the breathtaking view of an African sunset. They’re the perfect way to close off your day before returning to your camp, with an additional advantage of a safari sundowner stop to enjoy a lovely drink- a pink gin and tonic or a glass of bubbles as you watch the sun setting.
Additionally, safaris to conservancies in Masai Mara allows you to enjoy night game drives– an experience like no other that invites you into the dark of the night to safely watch as big cats and hyena take advantage of the cover darkness provides, and nocturnal creatures venture out from their daytime hiding places.
3. Walking Safaris – Discover On Foot
Walking safaris in the Mara Naboisho Conservancy is possible. This is best enjoyed in the early morning hours as soon as it’s light enough to safely explore on foot. The focus of a walking safari shifts towards observing the smaller ecosystems, and tracks that are often overlooked from the height of a vehicle, but bigger wildlife game is always seen and observed from a safe distance.
4. Explore On A Cultural Immersion
Explore the villages and Bomas of the Maasai families where many aspects of their lifestyle and culture remain unchanged to their heritage and traditions. Visiting a traditional boma and experiencing the conditions of the lifestyle offers a genuine and eye-opening immersion into the daily life of these Maasai. Besides just visiting, there is also the opportunity to see how the communities have benefitted through the creation of the conservancy.
5. Stay In Top Rated Luxury Camps and Lodges
These safari camps within the Naboisho Conservancy provide an exclusive and intimate safari experience, bringing you closer to the wilderness than you could imagine. These luxury camps enables you to indulge in a range of curated safari experiences not available in other Kenya national parks.
Activities At Mara Naboisho Conservancy
There exists a number of things to do at Mara Naboisho Conservancy including; guided game drives in search of animals and birds being the main activities in Naboisho. In addition, you can also enjoy night game drives, walking safaris, and visits to local communities and explore some of the conservation projects.
Wildlife At Mara Naboisho Conservancy
Over 100 lions roam the Mara Naboisho Conservancy, with wonderful sightings on game drives and bush walks. In addition to the notable population of lions, you’ll also find elephants, buffalos, zebras, wildebeests, giraffes and more.
With the strict rules on the number of safari camps allowed. This means there are fewer vehicles out, and more wildlife in a smaller area. Only four vehicles are allowable at any one sighting in Naboisho; meaning the wildlife is never crowded and you’ll always have a front-row seat, even if you sometimes have to wait a little until another vehicle leaves.
Birdwatching in Naboisho. Bird lovers need to be on the lookout for the native pygmy falcon or bush pipit, just two of the rare bird species found in the area. The other sightings include the African fish eagle to the shrike, famed for its weird behavior of impaling prey onto thorns! Watching the weaver birds tirelessly build nests might end up being one of your walking safari highlights.
Best Time To Visit Mara Naboisho Conservancy
Given the good wildlife sightings, one might be curious to ask – when to visit Mara Naboisho. The best time to visit the Mara Naboisho Conservancy is from the dry months from June to October. During these months animals draw near to water sources, making it an ideal time for visiting Naboisho.
The off season periods starts from March to May and October to November. During these months, there are fewer crowds, with the arrival of short rains. The other dry months include January and February, also a good time to visit. As for bird watchers, migratory birds are present from November until April.
Weather & Climate At Mara Naboisho Conservancy
The weather and climate of Naboisho Conservancy is identical to that of the Masai Mara in general.
Due to the altitude, the climate in the Mara Naboisho Conservancy is slightly colder and wetter than might be expected this close to the equator. Daytime is pleasant with temperatures in the mid to upper twenties, whereas it cools off considerably at night.
Dry Season In Naboisho Conservancy – June through to October
Consider this the perfect time for going on a Kenya safari; the days are sunny and it’s rarely very hot. Nevertheless pack some warm clothes for the morning game drives which can be very chilly.
June, July & August
June, July & August – During this time, consider Masai Mara generally sunny and dry with afternoon temperatures averaging at around 25°C/ (77 degrees Fahrenheit), and during the night you will experience cold evenings and early mornings when temperatures are at around 12°C/54° Fahrenheit.
September & October
September & October – At this time of year, it’s mostly dry although you can expect occasional rain showers. Daytime temperatures in October are slightly at an average of 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit). On your early morning game drives expect it to be chilly at around (around 12°C/54°F).
Wet Season In Olare Motorogi Conservancy –November Through To May
It’s that time of the season when we experience rainfall in the Masai Mara. Talking about abrupt short afternoon showers. We recommend that on your list of what to pack for your Kenya safari bring with you warm clothing.
November & December
November & December – marks the start of the ‘Short rains’ – expect short rain showers during these two months with afternoon temperatures at an average of around 27°C/81 degrees Fahrenheit).
January & February
January & February – Rainfall slows down, although incidental rain shower do still occur.
March, April & May
March, April & May – this is the long rainy season with April being the wettest month. However – you don’t have to worry about it raining all day long but it does rain regularly, typically in the form of afternoon showers. Early morning game drives can be slightly warmer with average temperatures in Masai Mara around 13°C/55°F.
Private Masai Mara Family Safari
Want To Visit Masai Mara National Reserve? The Mara is a rewarding African safari destination which offers many unique experiences, depending on your travel style from Mid-Range Masai Mara safaris to Luxury Masai Mara safaris.
Additionally, for those who wish to explore Kenya in more intimate ways, our Masai Mara Honeymoon Safaris are your best bet; whilst those who would desire to connect with loved ones, our Masai Mara Family Safaris offer you that opportunity; nonetheless the list doesn’t end there, if spending time alone is your way of travel, explore our Masai Mara Private Safaris.
The Top 6 Masai Mara Conservancies
Masai Mara features a collection of 15 separate conservancies that surround the Main Park. The conservancies in Masai Mara are privately managed and as such, they have very strict control on visitor numbers creating exclusivity, while retaining the freedom to offer a wider range of safari activities that are not available in the main park. Below is a list of the 6 best Masai Mara Conservancies.
1. Mara Triangle Conservancy
Tucked away between the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, the Mara River and the Olooloo Escarpment lies Masai Mara National Reserve’s wildlife sweet spot: The Mara Triangle. Arguably the location of the reserve’s most dramatic scenery, the volcanic hills and riverine forests of the Mara Triangle are home to the highest concentration of lions, cheetah and a host of other wildlife species. Learn all about the Mara Triangle.
2. Mara North Conservancy
Exclusive and private, the Mara North Conservancy only allows a limited number of visitors into the area at any one time. Its varied landscape, from secret patches of woodlands to vast wide-open plains, is home to the Big Five and many more. From the big cat maternity ward at Leopard Gorge to the lesser-known wildebeest migration at Loita Hills, the Mara North Conservancy has something for everyone. Learn all about Mara North Conservancy.
3. Mara Naboisho Conservancy
Aptly named, the Mara Naboisho (‘come together’ in Maasai or Maa language) Conservancy, is a shining example of what good can come out of teamwork. The conservancy stems from the collaboration of over 500 Maasai families working together to conserve their land and wildlife. The result: the Mara Naboisho Conservancy has only seven camps, but countless big cats, herds of wildebeest, giraffes and elephants. Learn all about Mara Naboisho Conservancy.
4. Olare Motorogi Conservancy
The Olare Motorogi Conservancy boasts the highest concentration of lions per square kilometer, yet the lowest density of tourists. Scan the skies for the over 50 different species of raptors or keep on the lookout in the acacia woodland and Olare Orok and Ntiakitak river valleys for predators and prey. A success story among all conservancies, Olare Motorogi Conservancy is a safari dream come to life. Oh, and did we mention that Sir Richard Branson has a safari lodge here? Learn all about Olare Motorogi Conservancy.
5. Ol Kinyei Conservancy
This conservancy’s grassy plains and rolling hills are home to only two small camps (and two mobile camps). It is the perfect spot for bush walks and a local Maasai culture immersion. With over 300 bird species, the conservancy is every bird-watcher’s dream. Rather spot larger land-living animals? The Mara Ol Kinyei Conservancy has its own lion pride, leopards, elephant, buffalo and giraffe as well. Learn all about Ol Kinyei Conservancy.
6. Lemek Conservancy
One of the smallest and most modest wildlife conservancies lies in the northwest corner of the Mara, the Lemek Conservancy. Although you’re less likely to see migrating herds in this area, it is likely to see plenty of game during off-road driving, walking safaris, bush meals and night safaris.
The Costs Of A Luxury Masai Mara Safari
It’s not easy to give exact costs for a Masai Mara safari. There are many budget-influencing factors like the time of year you travel, how luxurious you’d like your stay to be, whether you fly or drive between camps and lodges, whether or not you go private and exclusive, and which extra activities you want to add to your itinerary, like spa treatments, hot-air ballooning and cultural visits. We can, however, provide estimated costs for a safari in the Masai Mara.
Safari Tours To Mara Naboisho Conservancy
Browse some of our favorite Naboisho safaris & tours which promise a more intimate adventure especially for travelers longing for a more private safari experience far away from the crowds with plenty of flexible safari activities, this is your one chance to do one of Kenya conservancy safaris & tours. Maybe you’re planning your honeymoon safari in Africa or rather you just desire a more private family safari experience just know that you have plenty of options to choose from.
Ready To Plan Your Safaris To Masai Mara?
Browse our selection of private Masai Mara tour packages in Kenya above, or get in touch with one of our African safari experts to help tailor-make the best itinerary for you.