Some of Africa’s most varied protected areas can be found in Kenya. Since seventy percent of Kenya’s wildlife is found outside of government national parks and reserves, conservancies—private or community-managed wildlife reserves—have grown in importance for safaris and conservation.

Some of these conservancies permit nighttime and/or off-road game drives, and many maintain close, active relationships with the local community. Many restrict the maximum number of guests that can be present at any given moment.

Over 60,000km² (23,000mi²) of wilderness are currently covered by more than 100 conservancies in Kenya. How do you choose the best conservancy for your safari, then? Making that decision should be a little simpler with our list of Kenya’s top ten conservancies.

1. Conservancy of Ol Pejeta

The amazing Ol Pejeta in central Kenya is the place to go if you want to witness the rarest big mammal on the planet. The two last northern white rhinos in the world reside in the conservancy. Unfortunately, this creature is functionally extinct because both are female. The Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, which is located on Ol Pejeta, is home to about 40 chimps that have been rescued.

2. The Wildlife Sanctuary in Taita Hills

The approximately 100km²/39mi² Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, which borders the expansive Tsavo West National Park, is a crucial hot area for biodiversity and includes forests, mountains, rivers, and grasslands. In addition to traditional game drives, visitors can participate in conservation initiatives and specialized bird-watching safaris.

3. The Conservancy of Mara North

This is the Africa you’ve always dreamed of. Gently sloping grasslands teeming with wildlife make up a large portion of the expansive Mara North Conservancy, which encircles the northwest of the Masai Mara National Reserve. When the wildebeest flood in and out of Kenya, the conservancy’s western boundary is marked by the Mara River, which is also the location of the renowned wildebeest river crossings.

4. The Conservancy for Mara Naboisho

Among the Masai Mara-area conservancies, Mara Naboisho Conservancy is one of the most well-known, spanning about 200km²/77mi². Along with all the other cats, it is renowned for having one of Africa’s densest lion populations.

Elephants are drawn to both the light bush and the expansive grasslands that make up the terrain. Walking and bush-camping safaris are among the many activities available here that are not possible in the neighboring national reserve. A well-known initiative for community development is run by Mara Naboisho.

5. Wildlife Conservancy of Lewa

The oldest and most well-known Kenyan conservancy is this one. Lewa was transformed from a sizable cow ranch to a wildlife conservation area. In the realm of conservancy, it remains at the forefront. The conservancy is home to all five of the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, and rhino), and the landscapes of Lewa, which are overshadowed by Mount Kenya, are typical of East Africa.

6. The Sera Conservancy

Black rhinos previously flourished in the scorched acacia scrublands of Kenya’s far north, but by the start of the 20th century, poachers had completely eradicated them. However, the rhinos have returned today after being released to the isolated Sera Conservancy. Tracking rhinos on foot is the highlight of a trip to Sera! Yes, you read correctly. You can only do this at this location in Kenya.

7. The Namunyak Conservancy

A sizable portion of northern Kenya is covered by Namunyak Conservancy. The hot, elephant-populated scrublands north of Samburu National Reserve and the heavily forested, jungle-like Matthews Range are the conservancy’s main areas of concentration in Kenya. Scientists have dubbed these mountains “sky islands” because of the way they rise out of the blazing semi-desert.

8. The Maasai Conservancy of Nashulai

The award-winning Nashulai Maasai Conservancy, Kenya’s first of its kind, protects a significant area of wildlife-rich land that borders the Masai Mara National Reserve. The first conservancy to be established, run, and controlled by Maasai people is Nashulai. Unusually, the locals were urged to coexist peacefully with the wildlife and stayed in their houses and land when the conservancy was established.

While walking safaris and community activities are the main attractions for visitors to Nashulai, there is also an abundance of wildlife. In addition to the Loita wildebeest (as opposed to those that migrate into the Mara from the Serengeti), who come here in February and March to give birth, the relatively bushy and wooded terrain is particularly popular with elephants and buffalo. This conservancy is also very suitable for bird watching because of its range of habitats, and there are specialized bird tours available.

9. The Conservancy of Ol Kinyei

Gamewatchers Safaris, Porini Camps, and local landowners partnered to build Ol Kinyei, the first conservancy established in the Masai Mara region. Ol Kinyei’s forward-thinking approach, which blends community development and wildlife protection, has earned it numerous accolades throughout the years. There are large numbers of buffalo, giraffes, and wildebeest on these undulating hills, and there are also plenty of lions. To visit, you must be a guest of a Porini camp, but surprisingly for a conservancy, it also welcomes mid-range visitors.

10. The Borana Conservancy

Borana is regarded as one of the best conservancies in Kenya. What began as a private cattle pasture has developed into a prosperous conservation area that is 130 km² by 50 mi². It presently has an abundance of wildlife, including several elephants and a sizable population of black rhinos. The conservancy has a very strong focus on community development, funding several health and education initiatives.