The Olare Motorogi Conservancy is a significant private wildlife conservancy located in the Greater Maasai Mara Ecosystem in Kenya. Here’s a detailed overview:
Location and Size:
- It is situated along the northern edge of the Masai Mara National Reserve.
- The conservancy covers approximately 33,000 – 35,000 acres (around 133 – 142 square kilometers or 52 – 55 square miles).
- It borders the Masai Mara National Reserve, acting as a crucial buffer zone and wildlife dispersal area.
History and Establishment:
- The Olare Motorogi Conservancy was formed in May 2006 through the merging of two previous conservancies: Olare Orok and Motorogi.
- This was a landmark conservation effort involving a partnership between around 277-288 Maasai landowners and tourism operators.
- The primary aim was to create a mutually beneficial partnership where landowners lease their land for wildlife conservation, receiving a guaranteed annual income, while tourism operators gain exclusive access to prime wildlife viewing areas.
- The removal of sedentary homesteads and the reduction of domestic livestock within the core conservation areas allowed the land and vegetation to recover from overgrazing, benefiting both wildlife and the Maasai community through tourism revenue and employment.
Wildlife:
- Olare Motorogi Conservancy is renowned for its rich biodiversity and high concentration of wildlife, often boasting lower vehicle densities than the main reserve.
- It’s particularly known for its large lion population, with some sources citing it as having one of the highest lion densities in Africa.
- Other wildlife commonly sighted includes:
- Elephants
- Leopards
- Cheetahs
- Buffaloes
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- Masai Giraffes
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- Wildebeests (especially during the Great Migration, typically June to October)
- Zebras
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- Various antelope species (Grant’s gazelles, Thompson’s gazelles, Topis)
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- Rare African Wild Dogs
- Black and White Rhinos
Conservation Efforts:
- The conservancy operates on a community-based conservation model, ensuring that the Maasai landowners are central to and benefit directly from wildlife protection.
- Strict limits on the number of beds (around 94) and a low vehicle-to-acre ratio ensure a low-impact tourism experience.
- Eco-friendly practices are enforced in the camps, including the use of renewable energy and responsible waste disposal.
- The conservancy employs wardens and rangers to protect wildlife, and poaching is reported to be rare due to community involvement.
- The conservancy also plays a vital role in maintaining wildlife corridors within the greater Mara ecosystem.
Tourism and Activities:
Olare Motorogi Conservancy offers a more exclusive and diverse safari experience compared to the Masai Mara National Reserve, including activities such as:
- Game Drives: Excellent for viewing the abundant wildlife, especially big cats. A limited number of vehicles at sightings ensures a less crowded experience.
- Guided Walking Safaris: Explore the smaller wonders of the bush on foot.
- Night Game Drives: Offering the chance to see nocturnal animals (not permitted in the main reserve).
- Cultural Visits: Opportunities to interact with local Maasai communities.
- Bush Walks: Explore the flora and fauna with knowledgeable guides.
Accommodation:
The conservancy hosts several high-quality, low-impact camps and lodges, ensuring an exclusive and intimate safari experience. Some of the notable accommodations include:
- Mara Plains Camp
- Mahali Mzuri
- Kicheche Bush Camp
- Porini Lion Camp
- Olare Mara Kempinski
- Mara Expedition Camp
- Mara Topi Bush House
In summary, the Olare Motorogi Conservancy is a successful model of community-based conservation in the Maasai Mara. It offers exceptional wildlife viewing, particularly of big cats, within a pristine and less crowded environment, directly benefiting the local Maasai community and contributing significantly to the long-term sustainability of the ecosystem.
