Outstanding Game Viewing, Diverse Landscape
USD300 - USD1300 Per Person Sharing
High density of lions
Jun - Sep
Jul - Sep
Location
The Mara Naboisho Conservancy is located in the northeastern section of the Masai Mara ecosystem, bordering the famous Masai Mara National Reserve to the southwest.
Size
The Mara Naboisho Conservancy is 56 square miles in size.
History
Recognized as a Conservancy in 2010, the Mara Naboisho Conservancy is one of the newly-established safari regions in the Mara, a collaboration between over 500 Masaai landowners. The conservancy plays a key role in conservation and sustainable tourism, with less than 10 lodges or camps and therefore few vehicles traversing the land.
Entrance Fees & Permits
Entrance fees into the Mara Naboisha Conservancy are USD80 per adult per 24-hour period and USD45 per child under 12 years old.
Hours of Operation
The Mara Naboisho Conservancy follows the opening times of the main Masai Mara National Reserve, the gates open at 6am and close at 6pm daily.
By Road: 70 miles by road, Malindi lies north of Mombasa with the drive an easy two and a half hours. For visitors looking to spend some time on Watamu beach, the drive from Mombasa is around 61 miles, the idyllic location situated just south of Malindi.
By Air: A flight from Kenya’s capital, Nairobi to Malindi is 264 miles, flying time of around one hour. The small town and amazing beaches of Watamu are located a 9 mile drive south of Malindi, so visitors would still fly into Malindi Airport then transfer by road.
By Train: Discover Kenya’s stunning landscapes on the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), spanning 472 kilometers (293 miles) from Nairobi to Mombasa in around 6 hours. Enjoy diverse scenery while journeying to coastal gems of Malindi and Watamu. Mombasa SGR is Located a distance of 18.7 km from Malindi and one has to get to Malindi with a transfer from Mombasa SGR.
Weather & Climate
The winter months of June, July and August show mild temperatures with the high of most days sitting around 75 F with cool early mornings and evenings. As there is no rain during this time, the air is dry, creating the most ideal time to embark on a safari in the Mara Naboisho Conservancy.
Avoiding Crowds
Peak season in the Mara Naboisho Conservancy is between July and September, so guests looking for a quieter safari experience will want to consider visiting before or after this time. The late fall month of May and into early June, as well as late spring as September becomes October, are also wonderful months to visit the region. Mara Naboisho conservancy has only nine accommodation options on offer, so the conservancy is usually not as busy as other conservancies and other parts of the Mara.
Value for Money
With accommodation options that range from basic wilderness camp options to luxury, intimate safari escapes, there is a lodge or camp to suit every budget. Staying outside the main Masai Mara National Reserve will also offer guests the chance to enjoy bush walks and possibly a night drive, therefore adding value to your safari package.
Popular Wildlife Sightings in Mara Naboisho Conservancy
The lion complement in the Mara Naboisho Conservancy is vast, with wonderful sightings on game drives and bush walks. Large herds of elephant, zebra and wildebeest roam the landscape and wild dogs are often seen traversing this area. Bird lovers need to be on the lookout for the native pygmy falcon or bush pipit, just two of the rare bird species found in the area.
The Terrain
The terrain of the Mara Naboisho Conservancy is a wonderful mix of open grasslands merging with an acacia-filled woodlands area and rolling hills that add to the overall beauty of the landscape.
Game Drives
Game drives are usually conducted in the early morning or late afternoon in either an open 4×4 safari vehicle or an enclosed 4×4 vehicle with a pop-up roof for optimal game viewing. There is an option to enjoy a day out in the conservancy and some lodges will offer night drives to their guests.
Guided Walking Safaris
Explore the plains and riverine woodlands of the Mara Naboisho Conservancy with a qualified safari guide. Experience nature at close proximity and watch plains game grazing nearby, keeping an eye out for predators and larger animals in the distance. Learn about the flora and fauna and incredible birdlife in the area.
There are only nine lodges and camps in the Mara Naboisho Conservancy, making a safari in this region of the Masai Mara ecosystem an intimate experience. Options range from comfortable camps to luxury lodges, suiting a variety of safari budgets.Mara Naboisho Conservancy Lodging – Distance from park entrance
Lodge or Hotel Distance to park entrance (in miles)
Eagle View Camp 12 miles from the Sekenani (main) Masai Mara gate in a northerly direction
Encounter Mara Camp 12 miles from Sekenani (main) Masai Mara gate in a northerly direction
Naboisho Camp 18 miles from Sekenani (main) Masai Mara gate in a northeasterly direction
Kicheche Valley Camp 11 miles from Sekenani (main) Masai Mara gate in a northeasterly direction
Hemingways Ol Seki Mara Camp 11.5 miles from Sekenani (main) Masai Mara gate in a northeasterly direction
Mobile tented camps, eco-friendly basic tented accommodation, luxury lodges and high-end tented accommodation are all available in the Mara Triangle. Intimate experiences to accommodation suited to families and small group establishments exist in the Mara Triangle.
Mara Triangle Lodging – Distance from Park Entrance.
Lodge or Hotel
Distance to park entrance (in miles)
Mara Serena Safari Lodge
41 miles from the Sekenani Main Gate, driving in a north-westerly direction
Mara Engai
43 miles from Aitong Gate (via Mara Conservancy) in a westerly direction
Masai Mara National Reserve Lodging – Distance from park entrance
Lodge or Hotel Distance to park entrance (in miles)
Base Camp Masai Mara 12 miles from the Sekenani (main) gate in a northwesterly direction
Ilkeliani Camp 15 miles from the Sekenani (main) gate in a northwesterly direction
Mara Eden Camp 15 miles from the Oloololo gate in a northerly direction
Sarova Mara Camp 1.5 miles from the Sekenani (main) gate in a westerly direction
Zebra Plains Mara Camp 4 miles from Talek Gate in a southeasterly direction
Mara Simba Lodge
Accommodation is strategically placed around the Mara North Conservancy and ranges in size and style. From intimate luxury tented camps to well-established four star classic lodges, guests will be accommodated in true safari settings in one of the Masai Mara’s key conservancies. Mara North Conservancy Lodging – Distance from park entrance
Lodge or Hotel Distance to park entrance (in miles)
Royal Mara Safari Lodge 15 miles from Oloololo Gate in a northeasterly direction
Kandili Camp 2 miles from the Musiara Gate in a northerly direction
Neptune Mara Rianta Lodge 15 miles from Oloololo Gate in a northeasterly direction
Mara River Camp 4.8 miles from Oloololo Gate in northeasterly direction
Accommodation options in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy range from humble three-star camps to luxury, high-end safari lodges, all set near the wildlife-rich valleys and ravines of the conservancy. Options exist for all types of budgets.Olare Motorogi Conservancy Lodging – Distance from park entrance
Lodge or Hotel Distance to park entrance (in miles)
Mara Plains Camp 27 miles from Oloololo Gate in a southeasterly direction
Mahali Mzuri 29 miles from Oloololo Gate in an easterly direction
Kicheche Bush Camp 15 miles from Oloololo Gate in an easterly direction
Visit a Maasai Cultural Village
Guests staying in the Mara Naboisho Conservancy can spend time with a Masaai tribe in a nearby village, learning about day-to-day life and understanding their culture and traditions.
Explore the Diverse Landscape
From the moment you enter the Mara Naboisho Conservancy, you will notice the diverse landscape. Enjoy exploring the picturesque valleys, rolling hills and vast plains, either in a game drive vehicle, day or night, or on foot with a bush walk.
When is the best time to visit Mara Naboisho Conservancy?
The best time to visit the Mara Naboisho Conservancy is between the months of June and September, when the climate is dry, the temperatures mild and game viewing is exceptional. Guests in the conservancy are also able to explore more of the Mara during the great migration season between July and September and enjoy a hot air balloon in clear skies during these winter months. Bird lovers will want to consider visiting in January and February when birding is at its best.
How much does a safari in Mara Naboisho Conservancy cost?
Safari packages in the Mara Naboisha Conservancy range from basic camping options to classic camps, pricing starting at around USD300 per person sharing, per night. Luxury lodges and exclusive camps have a price tag of between USD1000 to USD1400 per person per night sharing.
How to get to Mara Naboisho Conservancy?
Travel by road is along the Uhuru Highway/A104 and takes approximately four and a half hours. Guests flying in from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport will land on the Ol Seki airstrip in under an hour.
What makes a Mara Naboisho Conservancy safari so special?
There are vast quantities of lion in the Mara Naboisho Conservancy, and a myriad of plains game and herds of elephant, meaning that wildlife sightings are fruitful and exciting. There are only a total of nine lodges and camps meaning that there are fewer safari vehicles out on game drives each day.
What animals can I see in Mara Naboisho Conservancy?
Lion, leopard and cheetah are spotted frequently in the Mara Naboisho as well as herds of wildebeest, zebra and elephant. Wild dogs can be seen on game drives and there are several species endemic to the area such as the white-headed buffalo-weavers.
When is Mara Naboisho Conservancy open?
The Mara Naboisho Conservancy is open between 6am and 6pm each day.
Do you need to book in advance to visit Mara Naboisho Conservancy
With only nine accommodation options in total located in the Mara Naboisho Conservancy, pre-booking your safari experience is most definitely necessary. A popular destination, it is advisable to book well in advance for your stay in the conservancy.
What’s the best way to see Mara Naboisho Conservancy?
Enjoying the diverse terrain and exceptional wildlife that roam the plains and wander the hills and woodlands, a game drive or guided bush walk are the best ways to see the Mara Naboisho Conservancy.
What hotels, lodges, and camps are near Mara Naboisho Conservancy?
With only nine accommodation options in total, lodges and camps vary from comfortable experiences such as the Talek Bush Camp to the intimate luxury experienced at Encounter Mara Camp and exclusivity to be absorbed at Hemingways Ol Seki Mara. These are a handful of the wonderful accommodation options to be experienced in and near Mara Naboisho Conservancy.
What restaurants are near Mara Naboisho Conservancy?
There are no stand-alone restaurants at Mara Naboisho Conservancy due to its location within the Masai Mara National Reserve. Guests will enjoy their meals at their respective lodge or camp.
What attractions are near Mara Naboisho Conservancy?
Guests staying at the Mara Naboisho Conservancy will be able to enjoy a cultural visit to a nearby Masai Village and learn about Maasai tradition and culture. Guests in the conservancy will be able to explore the diversity of the landscape from rolling hills to riverine woodlands, on both day and night game drives.
