Mara North Conservancy is one of the largest and best of the Masai Mara’s community conservancies. Here you can experience everything that’s good about the Masai Mara, especially the savannah landscape and the wildlife (including big cats and countless plains animals), without the crowds. This is also a Maasai homeland, and the community oversees the conservancy.
Pros & Cons
- Classic East African savannah scenery
- Fantastic wildlife, including big cats
- Excellent birding
- Less crowded than the Masai Mara National Reserve
- Off-road game drives are possible
- Night drives are permitted
- Not many choices for budget travelers
- A little removed from the great migration
Mara North Conservancy Safari Reviews
- Wildlife
- Scenery
- Bush Vibe
- Birding
- Wildlife
- Scenery
- Bush Vibe
- Birding
Wildlife
Mara North is a fantastic place to see wildlife and one of the best reserves in Africa for seeing lion, leopard and cheetah. At least three lion prides inhabit the conservancy. Other commonly seen predators include spotted hyena and black-backed jackal. Of the prey species, expect to see impala, Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelle, zebra, wildebeest, buffalo, elephant, giraffe and more.
Scenery
Mara North Conservancy is an extension of the Masai Mara, with the same spectacular scenery. These are classic East African landscapes, with savannah grasslands against the backdrop of the Oloololo Escarpment (also called the Siria Escarpment). Tree-lined rivers snake through the conservancy, and out on the plains, grasses turn golden early and late in the day, with flat-topped acacia trees perfectly silhouetted at sunset.
Activities
When you consider the birds, animals and landscapes you might see, the guided game drives in Mara North are some of the best on offer anywhere. The guides here have a reputation for excellence. Self-guided game drives are not permitted. Walking safaris and night game drives are possible, as are community, school and market visits.
Weather & Climate
The weather and climate of Mara North Conservancy is similar to that of the Masai Mara and the rest of western Kenya in general. More info:
Best Time To Visit
The Dry season (June to October) is the best time for watching wildlife in Mara North. The short rains usually fall in November and December, and are followed by longer, heavier rains in March and April (sometimes continuing into May). The drier period between the rains in January and February is also a good time to visit. The best time for birding is usually from November (when migratory birds begin arriving) to April (when they depart).
Getting There
Most travelers fly into one of Mara North’s airstrips from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport or Mombasa, Migori, Diani Beach, Samburu, Loisaba, Lewa Downs, Nanyuki or Meru with either AirKenya or Safarilink. Most safari operators and lodges or tented camps can provide details. By road, Mara North is 234km/145mi from Nairobi and the driving time is 4 to 5 hours*.
*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.
Health & Safety
Please read our malaria and vaccinations page for Kenya and our general ‘Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions’ for more info:
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11 Mara North Conservancy Safaris