Areas · Mara North Conservancy
Mara North Conservancy
One of the larger conservancies on the reserve's northern border, offering night drives and walking safaris alongside strong year-round wildlife — a quieter alternative to the national reserve.
Overview
A large conservancy on the reserve's northern edge
Mara North is another landowner-partnership conservation area, sitting on the reserve's northern border. Its size gives it a broader range of habitats and camp locations than some of the smaller conservancies nearby.
What makes it distinct
Activities and resident game
- Night drives and walking safaris are typically allowed, though always camp-dependent — confirm with your specific camp.
- Good year-round wildlife viewing thanks to resident populations that don't depend solely on the migration passing through.
- Popular as a quieter, lower-vehicle-density alternative to the reserve, without necessarily sitting at the very top of the conservancy price tier.
- No day visitors — access is limited to guests staying at a conservancy camp.
Who it suits
Value-conscious conservancy travellers
- Travellers who want conservancy benefits — night drives, walking, off-road access — without the highest price tier of the most exclusive conservancies.
- Travellers visiting outside peak migration months who still want strong resident game viewing.
- Travellers planning a longer, multi-area trip who want a conservancy stop that isn't at the very top of the price range.
How it compares
Mara North vs other areas
Compared with Olare Motorogi, Mara North generally offers somewhat more camp choice at a slightly lower price point, while still delivering the core conservancy benefits. Compared with the Mara Triangle, Mara North allows night drives and walking safaris that the Triangle doesn't, but the Triangle borders the river-crossing points that Mara North does not.
Good outside migration season
Because Mara North's wildlife draw doesn't depend on the migrating herds, it's a solid choice for trips timed outside July–October, when reserve areas are quieter and rates are typically lower.
Getting there
Access & transport
Mara North is reachable by road transfer from Nairobi or by flying into a nearby airstrip. See our road vs fly-in comparison for the trade-offs specific to a conservancy-based itinerary.
Where to stay
Accommodation tier
Mara North has a small-to-moderate number of tented camps, generally mid-to-luxury tier, with fewer budget options than the central reserve but somewhat more choice than the smallest, most exclusive conservancies.
Relevant safaris
Itineraries built around this area
Common questions
Mara North — FAQ
Is Mara North part of the Maasai Mara National Reserve?
No — it's a privately managed conservancy bordering the reserve's northern edge, governed by its own landowner agreement rather than reserve rules.
Is Mara North good outside the migration season?
Yes — its resident wildlife populations provide strong year-round viewing, which is one reason it's popular for trips timed outside the busiest July–October window.
Does Mara North cost less than Olare Motorogi or Naboisho?
Not always, but it generally offers a somewhat wider spread of camp price points than the smallest, most exclusive conservancies, since it has more camps overall. See our cost breakdown for the full picture.
Planning a Mara North safari?
Tell our team your dates and priorities on WhatsApp, and they'll check current camp availability for you.