Bordering the famous Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, the Mara Naboisho Conservancy is a success story of conservation and community development. In the language of the Maasai, “Naboisho” means “coming together”, which is exactly what the 500 landowners of the conservancy achieved when the conservancy was originally created.
Since its creation, the conservancy has gone from strength to strength, benefitting the people, the wildlife, and the natural resources of the environment. With so many high-quality safari destinations available within the borders of Kenya, here are five reasons why the Naboisho Conservancy should be included in your safari plans.
Background
When the Mara Naboisho Conservancy was originally founded, the landscape was in dire need of resuscitation. Overgrazing and misuse had eroded the soil quality, placing further strain on the ecosystem and contributing to the financial problems the traditional pastoralist communities were facing.
In order for the new conservancy to be a success, it was acknowledged that careful land management would be crucial in allowing the ecosystem to not only recover, but to thrive on a sustainable basis. In line with this, the carrying capacity of the conservancy was determined to ensure that the number of visitors never exceeds the available natural resources.
Each camp within the conservancy is therefore limited to a specific size, both in terms of the number of beds in the camp as well as the number of vehicles the camp is allowed to operate. These two key guidelines ensure that the conservancy always offers its guests a sense of exclusivity whilst placing the sustainability of the ecosystem at the top of the agenda.
Guests staying in camps outside of the conservancy are not permitted to enter, and only vehicles registered to the conservancy may drive inside it. The result is an elevated guest experience, a healthy ecosystem, and a thriving wildlife population.
Reasons to Visit Naboisho Conservancy
1. Experience Impeccable Wildlife Viewing
Under the land management plan, cattle were moved into demarcated grazing areas, used on a rotational basis to allow for regeneration, and informal communities were relocated into more formal villages where the development of communal resources could be better implemented. In the absence of both people and cattle, the grasslands began to recover, and the wildlife began to arrive.
Today, the conservancy is home to one of the highest densities of lion in Africa, large herds of elephant, resident leopard and a variety of plains game. The border to the Masai Mara is unfenced, allowing animals to move freely between the reserve and the conservancy. During the high season months, when the Masai Mara is at its busiest, Naboisho Conservancy provides the perfect combination of phenomenal game viewing and exclusivity.
The rich landscape, in conjunction with the lower number of tourists and vehicles, quickly made the conservancy an ideal environment for game viewing experiences that now rival that of the Masai Mara. In addition to the abundance of wildlife, the experience is further enhanced by the strict code of conduct governing the safari guides.
There is a minimum distance that must be adhered to when approaching wildlife, and a maximum of only six vehicles are allowed at a sighting at any given time. These rules prevent wildlife from feeling harassed or threatened, and ultimately improve the guest experience.
2. Enjoy Day and Night Game Drives
As a standard, guests of Asilia enjoy the luxury of two game drives daily, one in the morning and another in the afternoon. Days begin ahead of sunrise during the quiet of dawn, before the first notes of birdsongs commence. The air is still crisp from the night, and early as it may be, the rush of excitement for the activities ahead jolt your senses, waking you up. An early departure from camp is usually the best option, to encounter wildlife at it’s most active.
Morning drives aren’t just about catching the day’s first sightings, they’re also the perfect way to capture the beauty of the African landscapes at sunrise, and whenever you’re ready, you can request a stop for a cup of some hot thermos coffee accompanied by fresh homemade breakfast sandwiches. Start your day with endless plains, coffee, and the rising sun, as wildlife joins you in the morning.
Afternoon drives are a mandatory safari experience, allowing you to catch the breathtaking view of an African sunset. They’re the perfect way to close off your day before returning to your camp, but not without a stop to enjoy a lovely drink- a pink gin and tonic or a glass of bubbles. Of course, if you’re staying within Naboisho, this isn’t quite where your day ends.
As the Mara Naboisho Conservancy is independent of the Masai Mara Reserve, the rules of the reserve do not apply to the conservancy. This allows for a far wider scope of activities beyond the twice daily game drives typically enjoyed in the reserve. In addition to morning and afternoon game drives, the conservancy allows you to enjoy night game drives– an experience like no other that invites you into the dark of the night to safely watch as big cats and hyena take advantage of the cover darkness provides, and nocturnal creatures venture out from their daytime hiding places. Heading out after dark with a red filtered spotlight allows for an entirely different vehicle-based experience, watching for the tell-tale reflection of eyes from within the darkness. To sit in the complete darkness with both the lights and the engine off, listening to lions calling through the darkness of the night is always a memorable experience.
3. Explore Walking Safaris and Fly Camping
Walking safaris in the Mara Naboisho Conservancy and fly camping are only available from Naboisho Camp, while night game drives are available from both Naboisho and Encounter Mara.
Naboisho conservancy walking safaris are best enjoyed in the early morning as soon as it’s light enough to safely venture out on foot. Away from the rumble of the vehicle, the snap of every twig underfoot becomes audible as your senses dial in to the reality that you are now venturing into lion territory. The focus of a walking safari walking safari shifts towards the smaller ecosystems, spoors and tracks often overlooked from the height of a vehicle, but bigger game is always seen and observed from a safe distance.
For the adventurous traveller, a night spent in a fly camp is often the highlight of their stay. In the afternoon, set out on foot from Naboisho Camp for a walking safari that culminates with your arrival into your private fly camp. Simple dome tents with comfortable bedding, dinner and breakfast prepared on the fire, evening drinks under the stars, and hot morning coffee accompanying sunrise over the Naboisho Conservancy.
4. Embark on a Cultural Excursion
Dotted around the outskirts of the conservancy are the villages and bomas of the Maasai families that own the land of the Naboisho Conservancy. While many aspects of their lifestyle are unchanged from their heritage and traditions, the income and development generated through the creation of the conservancy has resulted in a variety of positive changes to their everyday quality of life.
Many of the staff in both Naboisho Camp and Encounter Mara are from these communities, so for them to be able to accompany guests into their villages and introduce their family members brings an additional layer of authenticity into the experience. Visiting a traditional boma and experiencing the conditions of the lifestyle offers a genuine and eye-opening immersion into the daily life of these Maasai.
Alongside the traditional elements, there is also the opportunity to see how the communities have benefitted through the creation of the conservancy, in the form of boreholes for easier access to water, the protection of natural resources and the opportunity to create additional revenue streams.
Importantly, heritage and culture have been retained whilst quality of life has been improved. The people understand the benefits of tourism and the importance of protecting their land and the wildlife in order for the tourism model to be sustainable. The result is an authentic cultural experience free from the expectations of a handout all too frequently encountered when visiting local villages.
5. Stay in World-Class Camps and Lodges
Asilia camps and lodges are located within some of the best safari destinations across east Africa, providing our guests with access to prime game viewing and world-class hospitality. Each of our accommodations maintains a quality consistent with the highest of standards, providing warm service that puts you at ease making you feel at home, while ensuring your comfort and utmost luxury in every aspect.
Our camps within the Naboisho Conservancy provide an exclusive and intimate safari experience, bringing you closer to the wilderness than you could imagine. Staying within the conservancy enables you to indulge in a range of curated experiences not available in national parks while enjoying the luxury of staying in one of only eight boutique hotels within the conservancy.
Outside of the revered night drives, if the weather allows, a hot air balloon safari over the Mara plains is something to be experienced at least once in your lifetime. Enjoy the endless views as the skies change colour and the landscapes transition from dry land to lush treetops. Back on land, cultural and community visits make for an enriching excursion that connects you to the land and its indigenous inhabitants.
When you return from your day’s activities, you can wind down and enjoy a homemade meal or a drink where the safari doesn’t quite end because you are forever surrounded by the bush. Swimming is available at Naboisho Camp, and a night sleeping under the stars cam be arranged. At Encounter Mara, educational bush walks around the camp and bow-and arrow shooting with the Maasai are just some of the activities on offer for you to explore.
6. Contribute to a Sustainable Tourism Model
The land of the conservancy is leased to tourism partners, like Asilia, who pay an annual fee for the use of the land, irrespective of whether there are guests in camp. This ensures that the landowners are receiving fair rental income for the use of their land. However, tourism brings with it a wealth of additional opportunities for income creation. All safari camps require staff, and most of these staff are hired from the surrounding communities, creating an income that stretches far beyond the primary bread winner.
The creation of products which can be sold to camps either to be resold to guests or for use in camp is another wealth generation opportunity which has yielded positive results. Maasai beadwork is famous for its detail and vibrant use of colour, adorning belts, an assortment of jewellery, bags, and more. Ladies in the surrounding communities create beautiful pieces which are bought by camps both for staff use as well as for resale through camp shops.
Every guest that stays in the conservancy pays a conservancy fee, which creates a fund for financing additional initiatives for the upliftment of the surrounding communities, improving the roads and infrastructure of the conservancy and employing rangers. By choosing to travel to the Naboisho Conservancy, you are choosing to travel with purpose, as the impact of your decision extends far beyond the personal enjoyment gained from the experience, benefitting the people and wildlife of Naboisho.
If you are looking for a safari experience that offers excellent game viewing without needing to jostle against other vehicles competing for the best view, and that makes a meaningful difference to both people and wildlife, then the Mara Naboisho Conservancy should be right at the top of your safari destination wish list. The Asilia Signature Edition small group tour is a great option for those wanting luxury and adventure without the decision-making that come with planning a safari.
Start planning your Naboisho Conservancy safari – Enquire now.
