Masai Mara private conservancies vs the National reserve: which is better for a luxury safari?

For most travellers planning a private or luxury safari, a Masai Mara conservancy makes the better base. The conservancies are quieter, more exclusive and offer activities the Reserve does not allow, such as night drives and guided walks. The National Reserve, however, is where the famous Mara River crossings take place, so the best plan for many guests is to stay in a conservancy and spend a full day in the Reserve.

What is the difference?

The Masai Mara National Reserve is the protected area most people picture: wide open plains, the Mara River and the great herds of the migration. It is managed by the county government, and anyone with a park ticket can drive in.

The conservancies are large areas of Maasai-owned land on the Reserve's northern and eastern borders. The landowners lease their land to a small number of safari camps, and only guests of those camps can drive there. The wildlife moves freely between the conservancies and the Reserve, as there are no fences.

Well-known conservancies include Mara North, Olare Motorogi, Naboisho and Ol Kinyei.

Why choose a conservancy?

• Fewer vehicles. Each conservancy has a limited number of beds, so you see far fewer vehicles. Many conservancies also limit how many vehicles can stay at one sighting, often to five.
• Night drives. With a spotlight, you may see leopards, hyenas, genets and other animals that are active after dark. Night drives are not allowed in the Reserve.
• Guided walks. Walking with an experienced guide and a Maasai tracker is a very different way to experience the bush. Walking is not permitted in the Reserve.
• Off-road driving. Guides can leave the track, within the conservancy's rules, to get closer to a sighting. In the Reserve, vehicles must stay on marked tracks.
• Bush breakfasts and sundowners. Most conservancy camps can set up meals and drinks out in the wilderness.
• Direct support for local communities. Lease fees go straight to the Maasai families who own the land, which gives them a strong reason to protect the wildlife.

The trade-off is cost. Conservancy camps are usually smaller and more exclusive, so nightly rates are generally higher than lodges inside or near the Reserve.

Why choose the National Reserve?

• The Mara River crossings. The main crossing points of the Great Migration are inside the Reserve. Crossings usually happen from around July to October, although the timing varies from year to year.
• Huge open plains. The Reserve covers a large area of classic savannah, with excellent big cat sightings all year.
• More choice of lodges and budgets. There is a wider range of accommodation, from simple tented camps to luxury lodges, so it suits more budgets.

The Reserve can be busy, especially around river crossings in August and September, when many vehicles may gather at the same place.

What do the fees cost?

For non-resident adults, the National Reserve currently charges US$100 per day from January to June and US$200 per day from July to December. Children aged 9 to 17 pay US$50 per day, and children aged 8 and under enter free.

The conservancies charge their own daily fees, which are usually built into the camp rate. As a guide, non-resident adult conservancy fees are roughly US$80 to US$120 per day.

Fees can change, so we always confirm the current rates in your quote price.

The best of both: combine them

Because most conservancies border the Reserve, a day trip from your camp into the Reserve is usually a 30-minute to one-hour drive. A popular plan is:

• 2 to 3 nights in a conservancy for quiet game drives, a night drive and a guided walk.
• One full day in the Reserve, with a picnic lunch, to look for river crossings in season and enjoy the open plains.

This gives you the exclusivity of a conservancy and the iconic scenes of the Reserve, without changing camps.

Which is right for you?

• Choose a conservancy if you want a private, peaceful safari, activities like night drives and walking, and you are celebrating a honeymoon or special occasion.
• Choose the Reserve if your main goal is the river crossings, you are travelling on a tighter budget, or you prefer a larger lodge.
• Combine both if you want the best all-round experience. This is what we recommend for most first-time visitors.

Our luxury safaris already include conservancy stays or can be adapted to include them, such as the 3-Day Masai Mara Fly-in Luxury Safari, the 5-Day Masai Mara & Lake Nakuru Luxury Safari and the 6-Day Amboseli, Naivasha & Masai Mara Luxury Safari. You can read more about the area on our Masai Mara destination page.

Frequently asked questions

Planning your Masai Mara safari? Ask us for a free quote, and our team will get back to you with a quote price and a suggested itinerary.