KENYAN CONSERVANCIES

I've just finished editing my wildlife images from our June site inspection tour of the conservancies of Lewa, and Ol Pejeta in central Kenya, and Mara North, Naibosho, and Olare-Motorogi conservancies bordering the Masai Mara National Reserve.

Erroneously, some potential visitors look down on the conservancies bordering the Mara National Reserve, the state-run reserve, and think them an inferior safari destination. The conservancies are in fact the prime locations for wildlife viewing as they only have a limited number of lodges or camps on  them, only half-a-dozen each, compared to over a hundred and thirty for the National Reserve, ensuring a much lower number of tourists and vehicles. There are no white minibuses here, and these reserves are the choice venues for film-makers and professional wildlife photographers. 

Not only is the wildlife viewing superb, but the conservancies work closely with the communities whose land they lease, and provide incomes for many local families, as well as allowing grazing in times of need. The conservancies and camps have trusts that build schools, clinics, and develop grassroots projects that empower women and youths.  

•  The Maa Trust in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Masai Mara region support conservation through the sustainable development of communities in the Maasai Mara. They work on too many projects to list here, but they do sterling work.
• ​The Mara Elephant Project does sterling work in the field of elephant conservation and human development, saving and protecting the African elephant population in the Mara by combatting poaching operations, collaring, and monitoring elephants, and protecting farmers and elephants across their large dispersal area.
• The Kicheche Community Trust works with local people and partners to support traditional and sustainable ways of living in harmony with wildlife, ecosystems and the environment. They provide bursaries for education and donations to local schools and clinics.