Exclusive, Private & Intimate
Mara North Conservancy
Mara North Conservancy In Greater Masai Mara
Overview
Established in January 2009, Mara North Conservancy is a private wilderness park and forms part of the Maasai Mara ecosystem. Mara North Conservancy was structured in 2009 and covers 74,000 acres. The conservancy represents a joint effort between the 12 member accommodations in the conservancy and more than 800 Maasai landowners.
Stretching almost 70,000 acres on the northwestern edge of the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Mara North Conservancy is one of the world’s largest of the Masai Mara’s community conservancies. An added advantage when visiting Mara North is the feeling of exclusivity due to the limited number of travelers allowed. The landscape scenery here is characterized by extensive savannah grasslands filled with memorable wildlife encounters which are sure to follow.
While here you can experience everything that’s good about the Masai Mara, from Night game drive safaris, to bush walking experiences and everything in between. The wildlife including big cats and countless plains animals are found here.
Landscape & Scenery
Mara North Conservancy is dominated by long golden grass and impressive flat-topped acacia trees, with the conservancy’s landscape exactly as you would expect it to be in the Masai Mara National Reserve.
As you drive along the eastern side of the plains, the surrounding is filled with a network of wooded valleys and seasonal streams known as ‘luggas’. The area’s riverine forests are an emerald-hued refuge for the conservancy’s elephants, baboons, giraffes and hippos. To the west, forested hillsides flank the croc-infested waters of the Mara River with the towering Olooloo Escarpment (also called the Siria Escarpment) rising up in the background.
Activities In Mara North Conservancy
When you consider doing a safari in Mara North Conservancy, travelers who stay within the conservancy are able to participate in a number of bush safari activities that are not allowed inside the Masai Mara Main Reserve, including night game drives and bush walks.
The game viewing here is very private with just a few visitors allowed inside the park, making the game drives in Mara North the best compared to any other destination. That said, walking safaris and night game drives are possible in Mara North as well as community and market visits, and if you feel like it you can take it to the air on a Hot-air balloon ride.
The main activity in Mara North Conservancy is the guided game drives. Accompanied by an expert driver guide, wander around the safari tracks, rocky terrains, and dry sandy riverbeds as you search for lions, buffalo, and elephants, giraffe, and leopard before stopping for a freshly prepared bush breakfast or sundowners if you wish to.
Head out for an early morning or afternoon game drive for the best game viewing opportunities. Keep in mind that only guests of camps within Mara North are permitted to game drive in the conservancy.
However, during the Great Migration the more exciting crossing points at the Mara River happens within the main Masai Mara National Reserve or Mara Triangle, meaning you will likely travel south and spend a day or two there.
Among your list of things to do in Mara North Conservancy, if you’re in for a heart racing experience, fly high up in the skies above the endless Mara North plains.
Wake up before dawn and rise with the golden sunrise as it lights up this beautiful conservancy. Float above the sky with a birds-eye view of the Maasai Mara plains below.
Your Hot Air Balloon Safari lifts-off between 6:00 and 7:00 am after a freshly brewed coffee and flight safety brief.
As you float in the air, you will have one (1) hour to explore the Mara from the skies observing the wildlife and landscape.
Upon your flight landing, you will be treated to a lovely champagne breakfast in the middle of the bush.
Your list of what to do in Mara North doesn’t stop with a hot air balloon ride, there are still plenty of unforgettable escapes within this conservancy.
This is a classical moment on how you can finish your game drives; watching the sun set over the African wilderness there’s simply no feeling like this, good times for reconnecting with nature.
As the sun fades from view and the clouds turn dark you will be resting at the perfect spot, complete with cocktail drinks in hand, tasty homemade ‘bitings’ bonfire, and close to your loved ones or friends.
Visit the Maasai, a community with a vibrant and proud cultural heritage.
Discover their generally peaceful and mutual relationship with the wildlife and the land, as well as ancient rituals and stories.
The Maasai have been known for centuries as being fearsome hunters and warriors. However, today their livelihood revolves around community, and they welcome travellers to learn about their customs and culture first hand.
Guided bush walks in Mara North are led by our expert guides and Maasai warriors; the focus being the rich bird life, encounter wildlife on foot, and discover how the Masai make use of the indigenous plants for medical and ritual purposes.
These walking tours are only possible inside the conservancies and takes you deep into the African bush. Walking safaris inside Mara North are best done in the early mornings or evenings when it is not too hot.
Ready for this? Make sure to pack comfortable walking shoes, light long-sleeved tops and trousers, a good hat, plenty of water and binoculars.
If you’re in for a longer walking tour, this is also possible in the nearby Mara Naboisho Conservancy.
Mara North Conservancy is just a fantastic place for walking safaris, family safaris, honeymoon safaris and luxury experiences.
When the night comes alive.
More quiet and watchful game viewing as we discover the endless Mara North plains on a night game drive, a completely different feeling.
This is done in the comfort of a 4×4 open-sided safari vehicle with our highly qualified guide. A chance to marvel at the wondrous night sky in search of the unique nocturnal wildlife found here… Look for animals not found during daylight hours such as Aardvark, Porcupine, Honeybadger, Pangolin, Bat-Eared Fox and Bushbaby.
The lights of our 4×4 safari vehicle illuminate an unseen world, unknown even to experienced safari adventurers. Spotting the shy nocturnal creatures who walk, feed and fight their way through the Bush at night can be a bit as exotic and exciting as sighting larger mammals during the day. The night game drive is strictly managed and monitored in ensuring minimal negative impact to the ecosystem.
Sundowners
All-Day Safari
Night Drives
Golden Afternoons
Wildlife & Animals At Mara North Conservancy
Mara North being a fantastic place to see wildlife, aside from the African Big 5 there are over 450 species of birds to spot. Other commonly seen predators gracing the plains in Mara North include spotted hyena and black-backed jackal; expect to see impala, Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelle, zebra, wildebeest, buffalo, elephant, giraffe and more.
Best Time To Visit Mara North Conservancy
The long cool-dry season from June to October is considered by most to be the best time of year to visit Mara North for game viewing; the absence of rain means that the vegetation is less dense, making animals easier to observe. Additionally the drier months of January and February are also a good times to visit while the best time for birdwatching usually happens from November to April when the migratory birds from Europe arrive.
Temperatures are consistent year-round, and rainfall is all that distinguishes the seasons with the short rains beginning in November and early December followed by the long rains in March and April.
Weather & Climate At Mara North Conservancy
The weather and climate for Mara North Conservancy is similar to that of the Masai Mara National Reserve in general. That said, there’s no real wrong time of year to visit the Mara North Conservancy.
Masai Mara has a generally mild climate chillier than you might expect when in an area that’s this close to the equator. The reserve sits at an altitude varying from 1500 to 1900 meters, and you can expect average daytime temperatures which are comfortable, and evening temperatures can become quite chilly. The region’s Dry seasons starts from (June to October) whilst the Wet season (November to May) consist of a shorter and a longer rainy period that are accompanied by a brief dry spell.
Consider this the perfect time for going on a Kenya safari; the days are sunny and it’s rarely very hot. Nevertheless pack some warm clothes for the morning game drives which can be very chilly.
June, July & August – During this time, consider Masai Mara generally sunny and dry with afternoon temperatures averaging at around 25°C/ (77 degrees Fahrenheit), and during the night you will experience cold evenings and early mornings when temperatures are at around 12°C/54° Fahrenheit.
September & October – Should you decide to travel during this months, it’s mostly dry although you can expect occasional rain showers. Daytime temperatures in October are slightly at an average of 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit). On your early morning game drives expect it to be chilly at around (around 12°C/54°F).
It’s that time of the season when we experience rainfall in the Masai Mara. Talking about abrupt short afternoon showers. We recommend that on your list of what to pack for your Kenya safari bring with you warm clothing.
November & December – marks the start of the ‘Short rains’ – expect short rain showers during these two months with afternoon temperatures at an average of around 27°C/81 degrees Fahrenheit).
January & February – Rainfall slows down, although incidental rain shower do still occur.
March, April & May – this is the long rainy season with April being the wettest month. However – you don’t have to worry about it raining all day long but it does rain regularly, typically in the form of afternoon showers. Early morning game drives can be slightly warmer with average temperatures in Masai Mara around 13°C/55°F.
How To Get To Mara North Conservancy
Almost 90% of travelers fly into Mara North’s airstrips from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport or Mombasa, Migori, Diani Beach, Samburu, Loisaba, Lewa Downs, Nanyuki or Meru.
The most common way of travelling to Mara North Conservancy is by road which is approximately 280 km west of Nairobi.
Driving from Nairobi will take you about 5-6 hours with Nairobi to Narok an estimate of about 2-2.5 hours, and about 3 hours to Mara North Conservancy. The road is scenic and makes for a fun road trip. There are several fuel stations In Narok, one just before the river, and another after the river which is a great stop for food, bathroom breaks, and snacks at both the ArtCafe, Narok Coffee house among other plenty cafeterias around Narok. Leaving Narok to Sekenani gate (Maasai Mara Reserve) will take 2-3.5 hours depending on the vehicle you are traveling with.
If you’re the type of traveler bored with the long drive times, we have airlines & flight tickets to Mara North Conservancy which you can easily book.
With several Kenyan airlines using the Mara North Airstrip, they connect from Nairobi’s (Wilson Airport), the Northern Kenya parts of (Nanyuki, Lewa, and Samburu), depending on flight routing and availability.
Additionally, there are flights that connects from Amboseli National Park -depending on flight routing and availability. Additionally you can fly from Mombasa to Mara North Conservancy.
Safari Tours to Mara North Conservancy
Browse some of our favorite Mara North safaris & tours which promise a more intimate adventure especially for travelers longing for a more private safari experience far away from the crowds with plenty of flexible safari activities, this is your one chance to do one of Kenya conservancy safaris & tours. Maybe you’re planning your honeymoon safari in Africa or rather you just desire a more private family safari experience just know that you have plenty of options to choose from.
