Description

Naboisho, which means "coming together" in the Maa language, is a community response to the challenges of the privatization of group ranches in the Greater Mara Region. The conservancy provides the opportunity to conserve the land and wildlife, whilst simultaneously creating wealth for the landowners.

Located in Kenya adjacent to the Masai Mara National Reserve, this private conservancy is a ground breaking project of tourism benefiting conservation and community. With its high concentration of wildlife, and generous personal space and freedom on offer, visitors enjoy exceptional wildlife encounters.

The Mara Naboisho Conservancy in Kenya is home to the big cats - in impressive numbers - and herds of elephant, giraffe, and wildebeest. Rare species such as Aardvark, Caracal, Serval cat, Aardwolf, and Ratel are occasionally found. Naboisho is a bird watcher’s paradise with several bird species rarely seen elsewhere in the Mara such as White-Headed Buffalo-Weavers, Northern White-Crowned Shrike, Pigmy Falcon, Von Der Deckens Hornbills, Bush Pipits. Unlike its neighbour, the Masai Mara National Reserve, this private conservancy strictly monitors the number of tourists who enter the area, reducing the number of vehicles and the human impact on the environment and wildlife.

While the charm of the Mara Naboisho Conservancy is its exclusivity, the philosophy of the conservancy is refreshingly inclusive. The conservancy was established not only to conserve the environment and wildlife, but also to protect and empower the local Maasai community. The 50,000 acre conservancy is made up of land contributions from 500 Maasai landowners and by visiting the Mara Naboisho Conservancy, you will be playing a part in protecting the cultural heritage of the local Maasai and improving their access to vital services. When you stay at Naboisho, a large part of the conservancy fee is channeled back into the community, making the project more sustainable.

In addition to this, there are also a number of community empowerment projects run by the Basecamp Foundation Kenya, a non-profit organisation. These projects - which include training locals to become guides, supporting local schools, improving access to healthcare and clean water, and empowering women - help to strengthen and uplift the community.

Key objectives

• to conserve the biological resources and the socio-cultural heritage of the conservancy area;
• to contribute to wealth creation for landowners, and;
• to promote tourism through partnering with investors
• Other ethical practices unique to Conservancy

Only guides employed by member camps conduct game-drives. All guides have signed an extensive Code of Conduct document with strict guidelines about ethics and etiquette on game-drives and other activities. This ensures that game-drives have a minimal impact on the environment, deters animal harassment, and increases accountability.

The conservancy management has set up a controlled grazing plan for landowners’ cattle, moving from one area to another during different seasons to eradicated hard wiry grasses and encourage new growth. This also creates immeasurable goodwill with the cattle owners as they are provided with good grazing while easing the pressure on the grasslands outside the conservancy.

Rules & Regulations

Respect the privacy of the wildlife, this is their habitat. Beware of the animals, they are wild and can be unpredictable. Don't crowd the animals or make sudden noises or movements. Don't feed the animals, it upsets

Wildlife & Birds

Title	Conservation Status
African elephant	Vulnerable
African lion	Vulnerable
Leopard	Vulnerable
Aardvark	Least Concern
Serval Cat	Least Concern
African buffalo	Least Concern
Wildebeests	Least Concern
Masai Giraffe	Least Concern
White buffalo weaver	Least Concern
Kirk's Dik Dik	Least Concern
White Backed Vulture	Critically Endangered

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