To most of us, a national park, game reserve, or conservancy are all the same. However, each one can offer a different type of safari experience.
What’s the difference between a game reserve, a national park and a conservancy? To sum it up:
- National parks are large, publicly owned protected areas with a vast array of wildlife, allowing for traditional game drivers.
- Game reserves are privately owned, and typically offer more unconventional bespoke safari experiences.
- Conservancies are owned by local communities and focus strongly on wildlife conservation.
What is a National Park?
National parks are large, publicly owned protected areas that usually cover vast distances. The government or local council is responsible for maintaining roads, controlling poaching and providing security within the parks.
Why Choose to Visit a National Park?
At a national park, you’ll get the classic bush safari experience, seeing a variety of big game animals in their unspoiled natural habitat.
Due to their large size, national parks are home to much greater numbers of wildlife and offer more variety in terms of landscapes than you would find in a game reserve or conservancy.
Note that game driving in national parks is only permitted on designated roads; you aren’t able to go off-roading to get closer to the wildlife. The more unconventional safari experiences typically aren’t permitted in national parks, so if you’re interested in night drives, walking safaris or horseback riding, you’ll have to make sure the one you visit allows the activities you’re looking to experience.
National parks also tend to attract bigger crowds than private reserves and conservancies, as the number of visitors is not restricted.
National Parks in East Africa
Serengeti National Park in northern Tanzania is a World Heritage Site with a diverse array of wildlife. The perfect place to see the herds of the Great Migration cross over the Mara River.
Tarangire National Park in the Manyara region of Tanzania features breathtaking landscapes and is home to the Big Five. Oliver’s Camp in Tarangire also offers hot-air balloon safari experiences.
Ruaha National Park is the second-largest national park in Tanzania and is famous for its lion prides.
Rubondo Island National Park is an unspoiled destination in the southwestern region of Lake Victoria, largely covered by equatorial rainforest. A great place to see chimpanzee and other primates.
Nyerere National Park, formerly Selous Game Reserve, is located in southeastern Tanzania and is the largest national park in Africa.
Where to Stay
Asilia camps in national parks:
Serengeti:
Tarangire:
Ruaha:
Rubondo Island:
Nyerere:
What is a Game Reserve?
Game reserves are privately owned pieces of land which aim to sustain large populations of wild animals.
Game reserves are operated independently; this means you’ll have the freedom to take advantage of more unusual safari activities and experiences. You’ll be able to take night drives to see the nocturnal animals, explore the area on foot with a qualified guide, or ride through the region on horseback.
Why Choose to Visit a Game Reserve?
Private game reserves are not open to the public like national parks are – only guests of the reserve are allowed on the property. This typically means smaller crowds and a more intimate safari experience.
Game reserves offer ample opportunities for wildlife sightings, with activities that are very different from what you’d expect in a national park. Speak to your safari planner about the activities available and put together your perfect itinerary.
Game Reserves in East Africa
Masai Mara Game Reserve lies along the Great Rift Valley in southwest Kenya. Here, you can get up close to the wildlife and meet the indigenous Maasai people, immersing yourself in the culture and natural beauty of East Africa.
Where to Stay
Asilia camps in and around the Masai Mara Game Reserve:
- Rekero Camp
- Tipilikwani Mara
What are Conservancies?
Conservancies are pieces of land owned by and leased from local communities. They are located adjacent to national parks, which means the wildlife viewing opportunities are very similar to what you’d find in the parks.
Conservancies are mainly committed to wildlife conservation, and anyone who visits the area helps to support this vision. The local communities receive a guaranteed income and also get employment as guides and drivers, so your stay truly makes a difference to the lives of both the people and wildlife of a conservancy.
Why Choose to Visit a Conservancy?
The difference that makes a safari in a conservancy so special is the privacy and intimacy they offer. Conservancies only allow permitted vehicles into the area. They also restrict the number of vehicles (and tourists) allowed in an area at any given time, which generally means that when you get a sighting, you have it all to yourself.
Conservancies in East Africa
Ol Pejeta Conservancy at the foot of Mount Kenya is known for protecting a variety of species, particularly endangered rhino. It’s a sanctuary for the two last remaining northern white rhinos in the world.
Mara Naboisho Conservancy is on the border of Masai Mara in Kenya. The conservancy is comprised of land leased from 500 Maasai landowners.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area in northern Tanzania is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can enjoy a one-of-a-kind game drive across the floor of an inactive volcanic crater.
Where to Stay
Asilia has camps at conservancies across East Africa:
Ol Pejeta:
Mara Naboisho:
Mara North:
- Mara and Acacia Houses
Ngorongoro:
For the ultimate safari experience, why not include a mix of national parks, game reserves and conservancies in one trip? Book a 7-night safari circuit at Asilia camps and you’ll get the internal flights and road transfers for free. This allows you to experience all types of safari environments at a lower cost. Our Classic Edition or Untamed Edition Small Group Safari Tours are a great option for those who want to travel solo or with like-minded travellers.
Find out what a typical day on safari looks like, or speak to one of our safari experts who will help you put your dream itinerary together.
