Kenya is a land of an unbelievable wildlife, splendid savannahs, and impressive landscape that amazes and changes people. Although the national parks and game reserves have been in the limelight in conservation of the Kenya rich biodiversity, Kenya has a high number of private conservancies that have equally been important in the conservation of wildlife and supporting sustainable tourism in the country. The conservancies give special chances to explore wide ecosystems in Kenya, sometimes a more personal and eco-friendly safari might be experienced. This article will discuss the best 10 conservancies in Kenya that has been helping in wildlife conservation besides providing tourists with memorable experiences.
1. Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Ol Pejeta conservancy is a popular and one of the most successful conservation sites in Kenya and is found in the central part of Kenya at the foot of mountain Kenya. The variety of wildlife found in this conservation is impressive; some even make up the so-called Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino). The difference between Ol Pejeta and other related reserves is its focus on conserving rhinos. It has the final two northern white rhinos in the globe, which makes it a very important site that is related to wildlife conservation.
Other services provided by Ol Pejeta include viewing rhinos, night drives, guided walking safaris as well as cultural experiences with the local communities in addition to rhino conservation. The conservancy is indeed a very immersing experience in the midst of the wilderness of Kenya and as such, it has become one of the top 10 conservancies in Kenya, among the nature lovers and conservationists.
2. Masai Mara Conservancies
The Masai mara is known globally as the place of extraordinary wildlife, especially the wildebeest every year. The dominant feature of the area is the Mara National Reserve, yet a number of conservancies along the surroundings have now come to be major regarding safeguarding the biodiversity in the region and enhancing sustainable tourism. In the Masai Mara Conservancies such as the Mara North Conservancy, the Olare Orok Conservancy and the Naboisho Conservancy, a more intimate and environmentally more friendly camping experience can be had.
These conservancies do not only conserve the habitat of wildlife, but also involve the local Maasai communities in their conservation. Other activities that the visitors to the conservancies can indulge in are game drives, walking safaris, and cultural experience because they have the knowledge that the revenue derived is directed back to sustaining conservation efforts and enhancing the livelihoods of the locals. Without any doubt, the Masai mara conservancies would be ranked as one of the top 10 conservancies in Kenya to have been featured as a way of experiencing the magic of the Mara and also contribute towards conservation.
3. Laikipia Conservancies
Another conservation success in Kenya is the Laikipia area which hosts many conservancies of its own which are currently assisting in conserving the Kenya wildlife and landscape. Laikipia Conservancies lie in the foothills of mountain Kenya and were a combination of high altitude savannah, grasslands, and woodlands that provide a lot of habitats to different species.
African wild dog and Grevy zebra are some of the endangered species Laikipia works with, which is also among its highlights. The most famous of the conservancies in the area include Laikipia Nature Conservancy, Borana Conservancy, and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. These conservation areas provide outstanding wildlife sightseeing experiences in the form of walking safari, horse riding safari, and a community based tourism project. Laikipia Conservancies surely make it to the top 10 list of conservancies in Kenya that tourists can explore in order to have a more off-the-road safari adventure.
4. Sambara National Reserve and Conservancies.
One of the most distinct and significant conservancies in Kenya which provides visitors with a chance to acquire the experience of dry and rough landscapes of Samburu region are the Samburu Conservancies located in north Kenya. The region has a diversity of different wildlife species that are not usually present in other parts of Kenya such as reticulated giraffe, the Grevy zebra, and Somali Ostrich.
Individual conservation efforts like Sasaab Conservancy, Samburu Intrepids Camp Conservancy, and the Kalama Conservancy in cooperation with the local Samburu communities provide special home species protection services and tourist experience. The conservancies aim at sustainable development and the protection of the wildlife, and thus, it is one of the most important players in the conservation of the region. To individuals who wish to appreciate the true beauty of the north Kenya and the community-based conservation, the Samburu Conservancies is the best destination and surely among the top 10 conservancies in Kenya.
5. Tsavo Conservation Area
Tsavo national park is the largest and the oldest Kenya national park, that covers approximately 22 kilometers squared of various landscapes. Although Tsavo National Park is a significant tourist destination, the surrounding Tsavo Conservancy spaces are critical towards safeguarding wildlife corridors and prevention of human-wildlife conflict. The Tsavo region is an important part of the conservation effort in Kenya with conservancies such as Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary and Lumo Community Wildlife Conservation Trust playing a key role on this conservation effort.
These conservancies are not only the safeguards of the large mammals such as elephants and big cats, but a broad spectrum of birds and small mammals. Tsavo Conservancies provide the visitors with the possibility to have safari experiences in less congested setting, concentrate on eco-tourism and the inclusion of local communities. In case you are in need of a good wildlife-based safari experience with more emphasis on conservation, then the Tsavo Conservancies are certainly among the top 10 conservancies in Kenya.
6. Chyulu Hills Conservancy
Chyulu Hills is a beautiful mountain range that is located between Tsavo and Amboseli National Parks. Being famous with their green hills and amazing scenery of Mount Kilimanjaro, Chyulu Hills Conservancy is among the 10 best places to spot nature in Kenya. The wildlife is found in the conservancy, which encompasses elephants, lions and cheetahs, various types of birds and even rare flora.
Alongside the game drives, other activities that can be done by tourists visiting Chyulu Hills include horseback riding, walks, and camping. The conservancy also engages in many wildlife conservation programs such as conservation of migratory routes of the elephants. The Chyulu Hills have breathtaking scenery, biodiversity, and also conservation ethics that will make this place a must visit destination to any individual going to Kenya.
7. Ol Kinyei Conservancy
Ol Kinyei Conservancy is in the southern section of the Masai mara ecosystem and it gives a more intimate and exclusive safari experience. It has high dignities of big cats such as lions, cheetahs, and leopards which make the conservancy a great location to have wildlife photographers and even enthusiasts.
This conservancy area of 16,000 acres is significant to the Maasai mara ecosystem, and serves to safeguard the wildlife passageway that connects to the mara national reserve. The visitors to Ol Kinyei will have possibility to have personal game drives, walking safaris and have the experience of original Maasai culture. The application of sustainable tourism, and its business position in the conservation of wildlife makes the conservancy one of the top 10 conservancies in Kenya.
8. Porini Lion Conservancy
The conservation of the endangered lion population in Kenya in the Masai mara within Kenya, the Porini lion conservation as a name is committed towards it. It encompasses more than 12,000 acres of pristine wilderness and it has been associated with the preservation of the iconic predators of the Mara, as well as the minimization of human-wildlife conflict.
The conservancy belongs to a bigger ecosystem which supports other species like elephants, giraffes, and wildebeests. Porini Lion Conservancy is one of the unique in the conservation of Kenya since it provides a classic Maasai conservation setting with the added luxury of tented camps, and its concern on the issue of conservation makes it a unique tourism site in the region. To enjoy what a brilliant safari and at the same time contribute towards the lion conservation, one of the 10 best conservation in Kenya will be the Porini Lion Conservancy.
9. Namunyak Conservancy
Namunyak Conservancy is an important conservation as well as in Samburu region and is also found in the northern part of Kenya, covering 850,000 acres. It is credited with conservation of endangered animals like African wild dog and Grevy zebra. The Samburu Special Five; consisting of the Grevy zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, Beisa oryx, and gerenuk is also found in the conservancy.
The community-based conservation is especially acclaimed in terms of Namunyak where local communities are part of the protection of their wildlife and make sure that they receive the benefits of the tourism revenues. Diversity of wildlife conservations and the efforts of the conservancy to conserve these wildlife and their various ecosystems ensure that the conservancy is among the top 10 in Kenya.
10. Kicheche Bush Camp Conservation.
The Kicheche Bush Camp Conservancy is found in the very center of the Masai Mara and provides luxurious and friendly environmental safari experience. The wildlife is richly found in the conservancy including elephants, lions and leopard among other bird species.
Responsible tourism is part of the attractions to the Kicheche Bush Camp Conservancy. The conservancy collaborates with local communities to propagate conservation and sustainable land use methods and also sells the options of guests to enjoy the wildlife and beauty of the Mara in an exclusive and intimate environment. The Kicheche Bush Camp conservancy is among the best 10 conservancies in Kenya to have a luxurious and environmental-friendly safari.
Conclusion
Kenya boasts of having the most remarkable conservancies that are essential in the maintenance of varied wildlife and scenery within the country. In the Ol Pejeta Conservancy to the Masai Mara Conservancies, both the conservationists and their tourists have a unique and fulfilling experience in each of these privately owned wildlife sanctuaries. The best 10 Kenya conservation sites do not only offer chances to see some of the world greatest wildlife but they also help save endangered species and assist the local people through sustainable tourism programs. Be it far and away and remote and intimate safari or a luxurious eco-friendly retreat, the conservancies of Kenya have offered an unparalleled chance of enjoying the wilderness of Africa and at the same time leave a legacy of the conservancy to be enjoyed by future generations.
