MARA NORTH CONSERVANCY

Mara North Conservancy is a beautiful private wilderness area of more than 30,000 hectares (~74,000 acres). It is a vital part of the Masai Mara ecosystem as it forms the north-western zone, bordering the Masai Mara National Reserve in the south of Kenya. Professional wildlife and tourism management ensures guests of a truly exclusive and private safari experience with a very low vehicle density. The Masai Mara is famous for its unique concentration of wildlife, birds, rich vegetation and open savannah. It has been classified among the "Seven Wonders of the World" due to the extraordinary annual migration (July - November) when over 1.3 million wildebeest and zebras cross from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara in search of greener pastures. Less famous, yet very impressive, is the Loita Hills migration, where thousands of local wildebeest come to the Mara North Conservancy (December to May).

Mara North Conservancy is a not-for-profit company established in January 2009. The conservancy is a partnership between eleven member camps and over 800 Maasai landowners. The aim is to create a best practice, world-class conservancy with long-term commitments to the environment, wildlife, and local communities.

To form the conservancy Mara North leased land from individual Maasai landowners. This marks the first time that these Maasai landowners have received substantial and direct income from wildlife. Together, MNC and the Maasai community are implementing sound land management policies including, controlled grazing, holistic management practices, low volume and low impact tourism, and community land-use plans.

OUR MISSION

We strongly believe that tourism has the capacity to protect a natural wildlife habitat, alleviate poverty and contribute positively to the local community.

Mara North Conservancy is leasing land from Maasai landowners in the Masai Mara region for the purpose of establishing Kenya's premier low-density wildlife conservation area. The aim is to create a best practice conservancy with long term commitments to the environment, wildlife and local communities.

Our mission goals:
1. Professional land and wildlife management
2. Direct and transparent revenue distribution to the Maasai landowners
3. Fundraising and endorsing corporate social investment for the betterment of the local communities
4. Low-density tourism and vehicle numbers to minimize environmental impact
5. Promotion of strong eco-tourism practices and use of environmentally friendly technologies
6. Stewardship of the environment for future generations

FAST FACTS

LOCATION: North of the Masai Mara National Reserve, in the south western corner of Kenya.
SIZE: +30,000 hectares (74,000 acres)
ESTABLISHED: January 2009 as a not-for-profit
MEMBER CAMPS: Alex Walkers Serian, Elephant Pepper Camp, Exploreans Mara Rianta Camp, Karen Blixen Camp, Kicheche Mara Camp, Mara Plains Camp, Nomadic Encounters, Offbeat Horse Safaris, Offbeat Mara Camp, Royal Mara Safari Lodge, Safaris Unlimited, Saruni Camp and Saruni Wild
LOCAL PARTNERS: +800 individual Maasai landowners
MISSION: To create a best practice, world-class conservancy with long-term commitments to the environment, wildlife and local community.
LOW DENSITY TOURISM: A one bed per 350 acres formula guarantees an exclusive safari while minimizing the impact on the environment.
CONSERVANCY FEES: Support Maasai landowner's lease payments and professional land management.