The Masai Mara is part of the greater Serengeti ecosystem and is one of the most famous and prolific wildlife regions in Africa. Located in southwestern Kenya bordering Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, it is comprised of the Masai Mara National Reserve and several private and community conservancies along its borders. Both the reserve and the private conservancies are popular destinations housing an impressive variety of wildlife, including the “Big Five” (lion, elephant, leopard, rhino and buffalo) as well abundant plains game along with other predators like cheetah and hyena.
Many of our guests wonder which offers the best safari experience. While similar animals can be found in the reserve and the conservancies, private conservancies afford travelers much greater exclusivity as well as a wider range of activities. We outline notable differences between the two below.
The Masai Mara Reserve is a public reserve, meaning that anyone can enter and tour the reserve, and there are many tour operators offering safari tours. The Reserve is administrated by the Kenyan government and is therefore subject to specific rules and regulations that are typical in National Park systems.
Private conservancies are privately owned areas of land that are set aside for wildlife conservation. Owned by the Maasai people, the development of these conservancies has helped to substantially increase protected land while providing a sustainable source of income for the locals. They are located adjacent to national reserves like the Masai Mara, and they are managed by local communities or private companies. While the conservancies are smaller than the Masai Mara Reserve, they offer a more exclusive and personalized safari experience.
The reserve is open to the public, meaning there are dramatically more tourists. Arguably a positive of this is that the wildlife may be more accustomed to the presence of humans. Private conservancies have a set number of guests and do not allow day visitors, offering travelers an intimate and exclusive experience with wildlife. As an example, it is not uncommon to see 20-30 vehicles at a big cat sighting in the Masai Mara Reserve. In a private conservancy, you would not see more than 3 or 4 vehicles at the same sighting.
The Masai Mara allows both day and overnight visitors, guided and unguided. Guests staying in the private conservancies are able to take day trips into the Reserve as well should they wish. The reverse is not true, however. Only guests in the conservancies can enjoy safaris there.
The reserve has strict rules and regulations about where you can go and what you can do. Game drives are restricted to the main roads during daylight hours and your guide may not drive off-road to get closer to the animals. The reserve is the best place a guest can visit in Kenya for the chance to see one of the famous river crossings of the Great Migration. This is a seasonal happening – be sure to talk with your Journey Specialist about the best time to visit.
In private conservancies, guides can drive off-road, allowing for a more immersive and up-close experience with the wildlife. Additionally, there is a limit to the number of vehicles on a sighting, making for a better viewing experience and reducing stress on wildlife.
Night drives are not allowed in the reserve, but they are permitted in some private conservancies. The opportunity to see nocturnal predators like leopards and hyenas prowling at night is an exciting highlight and one all safari-goers should experience at least once!
Walking safaris are only allowed in private conservancies, not in the Masai Mara Reserve. Exploring the bush from a new perspective on foot allows you to learn about the smaller creatures and plants that are often overlooked on game drives.
While the properties within the Masai Mara Reserve range from basic camps and larger lodges to some wonderful luxury properties, the wide array of properties in private conservancies tend to offer a more luxurious and personalized experience, with amenities like private plunge pools, spa treatments and gourmet meals. Additional activities such as fly camping and community visits may be available depending on the camp you choose. They are also generally smaller and more spread out with an average density of one tent for every 700 acres in the reserve.
Overall, both the Masai Mara Reserve and private conservancies offer incredible opportunities to see African wildlife up close. However, private conservancies offer a far more exclusive and personalized experience with the wildlife and a wider range of activities while still having access to the reserve. They also help protect a greater part of the ecosystem and provide a sustainable source of income to the Maasai. A stay in one of the private conservancies is our expert pick for the best safari experience.
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The Masai Mara National Reserve is a public reserve managed by the Kenyan government and open to all visitors. Private conservancies are privately managed wildlife areas bordering the reserve, typically owned by Maasai communities or conservation organizations and offer a more exclusive safari experience.
Yes. Both areas are part of the same greater ecosystem and offer excellent opportunities to see the Big Five- lion, elephant, leopard, rhino and buffalo as well as abundant plains game and predators such as cheetahs and hyenas.
Private conservancies limit the number of visitors and do not allow day trips, which helps keep vehicle numbers low. The Masai Mara Reserve is open to the public and can have large crowds at wildlife sightings.
Yes. Guests staying in private conservancies can take day trips into the Masai Mara Reserve. However, visitors staying in the reserve cannot access the private conservancies unless they are guests there.
Both areas offer incredible wildlife viewing. However, private conservancies often provide a more exclusive safari experience with fewer vehicles, off-road driving, night safaris and additional activities.
Photos courtesy Craig Stevenson, Rohit Varma, AAC Livingstone Club members Erin S. and Matt L., Mara Plains, Naboisho, Saruni Mara, AAC Senior Journey Specialist Sara Stark