OLARE MOTOROGI CONSERVANCY
An Inspirational Safari Park
Olare Motorogi
Imagine a large tract of savannah and forest bordering the world-famous Masai Mara Reserve but whose sustainability has been reduced by subsistence agriculture and charcoal production. Overgrazing has diminished the land to the point where the wildlife has been displaced.
Now cut ahead ten years and the land has been restored due to sustainable grazing techniques, the wildlife has returned and the area’s owners, the Maasai people receive a steady remuneration for their part in allowing a limited number of tourists to visit this tract. This is the renewal story of the Olare Motorogi Conservancy.
A Foundational Story
This rebirth began in 2006 with a founding agreement between the 277 Maasai landowners and five tourism hoteliers. The plan would introduce environmentally sustainable rotational grazing, saving the land and ultimately bringing about one of the highest concentrations of animals in the area. The lion population alone is one of the most intense in East Africa.
The 33,000-acre conservancy fairly bursts with wildlife during the season of the Great Migration. The lucky few safari-goers allowed into the area are also treated with sightings of African wild dogs, elephants, and rhinos.
Your Guides and Landlords
When it comes to sourcing for the best possible guides to show you these lands, who better than its original inhabitants, that grew up tending their cattle here? Your Maasi guide brings a vast knowledge of the plants and wildlife which only makes your safari experience that much more authentic.
The original conservancy agreement made sure the Maasai would keep their ownership of the land, and created for them a guaranteed income. As a tourist here, your guarantee is to have much of the conservancy to yourself. The charter stipulates just one room per 650 acres which strictly limits the number of fellow tourists you’ll see on these lands.
A Model Conservancy
Setting the standards for the conservancy movement to come, the holistic methods of grazing adapted here would be followed by other groups. Olare Motorogi has also created strong land-use policies that minimize the footprint of its tourism partners. The camps are mobile with no permanent foundations and all waste follows a defined Code of Conduct for both camp operators and their guests.
The Maasai
Sharing this land flocked with distinctive acacia trees are the Maasai people, nomadic herders from whom the park takes its name. They construct traditional villages surrounding the reserve and live as they have for eons, herding their cattle and pushing back at an ever-encroaching modern world.
Known for their brightly colored shukas and deft beadwork, the Maasai are a living link to a past that stretches back beyond colonial Africa, to an era when the entire continent was wild and untouched.
Grasslands
Open bush
Dense bush
Riverine Forest
Swamps
Don’t Miss…
The Great Migration: Bordering the Masai Mara, the conservancy is a buffer between the reserve and some of the migration routes that explode with wildlife on their annual trek. Get ready to witness tens of thousands of herding zebra, wildebeest, and gazelle.
The Ntiakitiak Gorge: A great 12 km (7.5 mi) escarpment dominating the landscape and bordering rich acacia forest. In this habitat, you’ll come upon many wildlife species.
Big Cats: Lion, leopard, cheetah – the conservancy is teeming with these dramatic predators. All of them lying in wait for the gentle grazing species to come within range.
The Maasai: You are certain to meet the original inhabitants of these lands, either as guides, as help in your camp, or at the various community projects.
Community Projects
These reserve-based projects help the livelihoods of the nearby rural communities.
- Education for local students, including computer skills training
- Healthcare – providing medical supplies to the local health centers and mobile clinic
- Energy – providing hundreds of local families with energy-efficient stoves – reducing the need for firewood.
Ol Pejeta Eco-Facts
- Sanctuaries to protect endangered chimpanzees, oryx, hartebeest, Grevy’s zebra, and bat-eared fox
- Home to the world’s last remaining northern white rhinos
- The largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa – the rhino population has increased by over 100 in the last 25 years.
The Partner Camps
These five partner accommodations teamed with the Maasai back in 2006 to form the conservancy. Since then, the camps along with their local partners have created a profitable and sustainable enterprise that has inspired others in the area to follow suit:
- Kicheche Bush Camp
- Mara Plains Camp
- Olare Mara Kempinski
- Mahali Mzuri
- Porini Lion Camp
Getting there: You can Book a tour with Africa Kenya Safaris. And you’ll go in style – a specially outfitted 4 x 4 safari Jeep.
Olare Motorogi Conservancy Facts & FAQ Guide
Olare Motorogi Conservancy is an exceptional safari destination nestled in the iconic Masai Mara region, renowned for its stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and eco-friendly tourism practices. This FAQ guide answers key questions about the conservancy, such as its location, accommodation options, wildlife sightings, and the range of activities available to visitors. Whether you’re planning your first safari or looking to explore Olare Motorogi’s unique wildlife experiences, our insights will help ensure your visit is both enriching and unforgettable. Read on to discover all you need to know about this remarkable conservation area, where conservation and luxury seamlessly blend.
What are the best times to visit Olare Motorogi Conservancy?
The best time to visit Olare Motorogi Conservancy is during the dry season from June to October, when wildlife viewing is at its peak and the Great Migration may be visible in nearby Masai Mara. This period offers excellent game drives, easier wildlife spotting, and clear, sunny skies.
Visiting Olare Motorogi Conservancy During the Dry Season
The dry season from June to October is ideal for safaris in Olare Motorogi. With thinning vegetation and animals gathering around water sources, sightings of lions, elephants, cheetahs, and leopards are more frequent and dramatic. These months also coincide with the famous Great Wildebeest Migration, which occasionally spills into the conservancy, offering a quieter alternative to the busier Masai Mara National Reserve.
Green Season Safaris and Birdwatching Opportunities
From November to May, Olare Motorogi turns lush and green with seasonal rains. This “green season” is a great time for safari photography and birdwatching, with migratory birds arriving in large numbers. Although some roads may be muddier and wildlife slightly harder to spot, this is the best time to avoid crowds and enjoy lower rates at many safari camps—perfect for those who love tranquil nature and the beauty of the Kenyan landscape in full bloom.
Where is the location of Olare Motorogi Conservancy?
Olare Motorogi Conservancy is located in southwest Kenya, just north of the Masai Mara National Reserve, within Narok County. It borders the Mara’s northern boundary and forms part of the Greater Mara Ecosystem, one of Africa’s most important wildlife conservation areas.
Positioned Within the Greater Mara Ecosystem
Olare Motorogi Conservancy sits in a prime wildlife corridor, covering approximately 35,000 acres of open savannah, riverine forest, and rolling hills. Its location ensures seamless wildlife movement between the conservancy and the Masai Mara, making it a vital habitat for lions, leopards, elephants, and cheetahs. Its close proximity to the reserve means visitors enjoy exceptional game viewing with fewer vehicles and a more exclusive experience.
Easy Access from Nairobi and Nearby Airstrips
Reaching Olare Motorogi is easy via daily scheduled flights from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to Ol Kiombo or Musiara airstrips, followed by a short game drive transfer to your camp. For road travel, the conservancy is about a 5–6 hour drive from Nairobi, offering scenic views along the way. Whether by air or road, the journey into Olare Motorogi is part of the adventure, leading you straight into some of Kenya’s most wildlife-rich lands.
How big is Olare Motorogi Conservancy?
Olare Motorogi Conservancy covers approximately 35,000 acres of protected wilderness in the Greater Masai Mara ecosystem. This expansive conservancy offers a pristine and exclusive safari experience in one of Kenya’s most wildlife-rich areas.
A Vast and Untouched Safari Landscape
With 35,000 acres of open plains, riverine forests, and rolling hills, Olare Motorogi Conservancy offers a truly wild and spacious safari environment. This vast size means that wildlife roams freely in large numbers, undisturbed by crowds or overdevelopment. The conservancy shares unfenced borders with the Masai Mara National Reserve, allowing animals to move naturally through the region as they follow age-old migration routes.
Exclusive Game Viewing and Conservation Benefits
The large size of Olare Motorogi is key to its successful low-impact, high-quality tourism model. Only a handful of safari camps operate here, ensuring that guest numbers remain low—just one guest per 350 acres. This not only enhances the wilderness experience but also supports meaningful conservation by limiting environmental pressure and providing fair revenue-sharing with the local Maasai landowners. It’s a win-win for both wildlife and communities.
Is there a Olare Motorogi Conservancy website?
Yes, Olare Motorogi Conservancy has an official website available at https://olaremotorogiconservancy.com/, where visitors can learn more about the conservancy’s mission, wildlife, eco-tourism model, and community partnerships.
Discover More on the Official Conservancy Website
The Olare Motorogi Conservancy website provides detailed information about the conservancy’s background, wildlife protection efforts, and eco-tourism philosophy. It highlights the low-impact tourism model that limits guest numbers to preserve the environment, while also supporting the livelihoods of local Maasai landowners. The site also features maps, photography, and updates on conservation news from the region.
Plan Your Safari With Reliable Information
Visitors can use the official website to better understand what makes Olare Motorogi so unique—its stunning landscapes, rich wildlife populations, and award-winning safari camps. While the site doesn’t handle bookings directly, it serves as an excellent starting point for planning your Kenya safari. For a complete experience, Africa Kenya Safaris can help you create a personalised itinerary that includes Olare Motorogi and other top conservancies in the Masai Mara.
What wildlife can I see in Olare Motorogi Conservancy?
Olare Motorogi Conservancy is home to a rich diversity of wildlife including all of the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo—as well as cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, hippos, hyenas, wildebeests, and over 300 species of birds.
Spot the Big Cats and Iconic Game
One of the major highlights of Olare Motorogi Conservancy is its thriving population of big cats. Lions roam in healthy prides across the plains, leopards are frequently spotted in the wooded areas, and cheetahs can be seen hunting in the open savannah. Elephants are often seen moving in family groups, and the occasional black rhino sighting adds to the excitement. Game drives in this private conservancy allow for fewer vehicles and closer encounters, giving you a front-row seat to Kenya’s most majestic animals.
Birdlife and Seasonal Wildlife Wonders
Beyond the larger mammals, Olare Motorogi is a birdwatcher’s paradise. The conservancy hosts an array of birdlife, from lilac-breasted rollers and secretary birds to eagles and herons. During the Great Migration season (typically July to October), thousands of wildebeests and zebras pass through or near the conservancy, attracting predators and delivering dramatic wildlife action. Whether you’re visiting during the migration or not, the wildlife viewing here remains superb year-round thanks to the conservancy’s varied landscapes and low-impact tourism model.
Is Olare Motorogi Conservancy a good safari destination?
Yes, Olare Motorogi Conservancy is considered one of the best safari destinations in Kenya, offering an exclusive and wildlife-rich experience with fewer crowds, exceptional big cat sightings, and luxury tented camps within a pristine natural environment.
Exclusive Game Viewing with Fewer Vehicles
Olare Motorogi Conservancy is renowned for its low-density tourism model, which limits the number of camps and vehicles allowed in the area. This means your game drives feel more intimate and authentic, with uninterrupted views of wildlife and the vast savannah. With no mass tourism and off-road driving permitted, you can enjoy up-close encounters with lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, and more—all without the hustle of busy national parks.
High Wildlife Density and Luxury Safari Camps
The conservancy boasts one of the highest concentrations of predators in the Mara ecosystem, making it a prime location for big cat sightings. In addition to the impressive wildlife, visitors enjoy a range of premium accommodations, including eco-conscious luxury tented camps that blend seamlessly into the landscape. Whether you’re on a morning drive at sunrise or a sundowner under the acacia trees, Olare Motorogi delivers the kind of magical safari experience that Kenya is famous for—personal, wild, and unforgettable.
What are the best things to do in Olare Motorogi Conservancy?
The best things to do in Olare Motorogi Conservancy include guided game drives, wildlife photography, birdwatching, bush walks, and enjoying luxury tented camp experiences—all within an exclusive and uncrowded setting in Kenya’s Masai Mara ecosystem.
Exceptional Game Drives and Predator Spotting
The top activity in Olare Motorogi is the expertly guided game drive, with morning, afternoon, and evening options that offer incredible chances to see Africa’s iconic wildlife. The conservancy is particularly known for its dense populations of big cats, including lions, leopards, and cheetahs. With a strict limit on the number of safari vehicles, your experience remains personal and unhurried, allowing for longer viewing at each sighting—ideal for both casual wildlife lovers and serious photographers.
Immersive Bush Experiences and Relaxation in Camp
Beyond game drives, guests can take part in guided bush walks led by Maasai trackers, offering a deeper understanding of the land, tracks, and smaller species often missed from a vehicle. Birdwatching is another popular activity, with over 300 species recorded in the area. Back at camp, luxury tented accommodations provide relaxation, gourmet dining, and stunning views over the plains—making Olare Motorogi the perfect blend of wild adventure and serene comfort in the heart of Kenya’s safari country.
Where are the best places to go in Olare Motorogi Conservancy?
The best places to go in Olare Motorogi Conservancy include key wildlife viewing zones near the Ntiakitiak River, predator hotspots along the escarpments, and luxury tented safari camps like Porini Lion Camp and Mara Plains—offering premier access to the conservancy’s most scenic and wildlife-rich areas.
Prime Wildlife Viewing Zones in the Conservancy
One of the top places to visit in Olare Motorogi is the area surrounding the Ntiakitiak River. This lifeline draws herds of elephants, antelope, and predators such as lions and leopards, making it a favourite for morning and evening game drives. The open plains and wooded riverbanks provide excellent visibility for spotting wildlife and are especially magical during sunrise or golden-hour photography sessions. The escarpments and acacia woodlands are also hotspots for cheetah sightings and nesting raptors.
Top Safari Camps and Scenic Lookouts
For those looking to blend luxury with nature, Porini Lion Camp and Mara Plains Camp are not only beautifully located but also strategically placed in some of the conservancy’s richest wildlife corridors. These camps offer direct access to some of the best vantage points in Olare Motorogi—ideal for game viewing, stargazing, and quiet moments overlooking the savannah. From these camps, guests can explore remote corners of the conservancy where vehicle access is strictly limited, ensuring an exclusive and intimate safari experience unique to this Masai Mara gem.
Can I stay in Olare Motorogi Conservancy?
Yes, you can stay in Olare Motorogi Conservancy, which offers a selection of luxurious eco-friendly safari camps such as Mara Plains Camp, Olare Mara Kempinski, and Porini Lion Camp—providing exclusive accommodations within the conservancy’s protected wilderness.
Luxury Camps Within the Conservancy
Olare Motorogi Conservancy is home to some of Kenya’s most celebrated safari camps, where guests enjoy unparalleled access to wildlife-rich landscapes and first-class hospitality. Camps such as Mara Plains and Olare Mara Kempinski blend luxury with sustainability, offering spacious tents, gourmet dining, and personalized game drives—all set within the heart of big cat country. With limited guest numbers and no overcrowding, your stay feels truly exclusive, surrounded by nature and uninterrupted views of the open plains.
Immersive Safari Experiences for Overnight Guests
Staying inside the conservancy opens the door to more intimate and flexible safari adventures. Unlike national parks, Olare Motorogi allows off-road driving and night game drives—giving guests the rare chance to track leopards after dark or follow a lion pride across the plains. You’ll also benefit from walking safaris guided by Maasai rangers, cultural visits to local villages, and evenings spent around the campfire under a sky ablaze with stars. Whether it’s your first safari or a return to the wild, an overnight stay in Olare Motorogi offers a rich and memorable immersion into the soul of Kenya’s wilderness.
Who owns Olare Motorogi Conservancy?
Olare Motorogi Conservancy is owned and managed through a partnership between local Maasai landowners and a group of tourism operators who lease the land for conservation and low-impact safari tourism. This collaborative model ensures that the local community benefits directly from wildlife conservation.
A Community-Owned and Managed Conservancy
At the heart of Olare Motorogi Conservancy’s success is its unique ownership structure—over 270 Maasai landowners have pooled their individual plots into a single conservation area. These landowners receive monthly lease payments and employment opportunities in the tourism sector, incentivising sustainable land use and protection of natural habitats. This model not only preserves the landscape but also empowers the local community, ensuring their traditions and livelihoods thrive alongside conservation efforts.
Partnered with Eco-Tourism Operators
Tourism operators within Olare Motorogi, such as Porini Camps and Great Plains Conservation, partner with the community to manage the conservancy and provide premium safari experiences. These operators are committed to low-impact tourism, employing local staff, reducing vehicle numbers, and reinvesting a portion of their profits into conservation and development initiatives. This partnership has positioned Olare Motorogi as a leading example of how tourism, conservation, and community can work hand in hand to protect Kenya’s precious wildlife heritage.
What is the history of Olare Motorogi Conservancy?
Olare Motorogi Conservancy, located in the heart of Kenya’s Masai Mara ecosystem, has a rich history of conservation and sustainable tourism. Established in 1997, the conservancy was created to preserve the natural habitat and wildlife in the area, with a focus on maintaining the balance between the local Maasai communities and the environment. Over the years, it has become a prominent example of successful wildlife conservation through community involvement and eco-tourism, offering visitors an authentic safari experience while supporting conservation efforts.
The Role of the Maasai Community in the Conservancy’s Development
A key factor in the success of Olare Motorogi Conservancy is the partnership between local Maasai landowners and conservation organizations. The conservancy was formed when a group of Maasai landowners decided to set aside their land for conservation rather than traditional farming or livestock grazing. This collaborative approach allowed for the preservation of the area’s rich wildlife, including the Big Five, while providing a sustainable income for the local community through tourism revenues. The Maasai landowners’ involvement ensures that the conservancy remains a model of responsible tourism and environmental stewardship.
Olare Motorogi Conservancy’s Impact on Wildlife Conservation
Olare Motorogi Conservancy plays a crucial role in the protection of endangered species and maintaining the biodiversity of the Masai Mara region. The conservancy’s borders are adjacent to the Masai Mara National Reserve, allowing wildlife to roam freely between the two areas. This corridor helps maintain genetic diversity among species and supports the migration of wildebeest, zebras, and other herbivores during the Great Migration. Conservation efforts in the conservancy also focus on anti-poaching measures and wildlife monitoring, ensuring that the rich ecosystem thrives for future generations to enjoy.
This is Olare Motorogi Conservancy
We support the heroic efforts at Olare Motorogi and the wonderful strides the conservancy partners have made toward the land, the restoration of wildlife, and the excellent opportunities for untrammeled safari adventures.
When Do You Want to Visit?
The big cats and the dozens of wildlife species don’t have any downtime during the year – there are always in sight on the great savannahs of this storied park.
The climate here is mild and generally sunny year-round. So, the game viewing is excellent any time you choose to go on safari.
However, the park is known for its peak migration season from July through October. These are the months you can expect to witness thousands upon thousands of wildebeests, zebra, and gazelle invading the park on their annual trek for water and more sustainable grasses.
Please view our selection of Masai Mara tours below and let’s talk. We’ll create the safari you’ve been dreaming about.
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2 & 3-day Masai Mara fly-in safaris from Diani, Tiwi, Galu, Shimoni, Msambweni Beach Resorts
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