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The secret to a better Mara safari
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From our Editor – Taryn van Jaarsveld
Here’s some good news from South Africa: protected areas appear to be paying off for wildlife, people and tourism. New World Bank research found that older reserves were associated with higher household incomes, better outcomes for threatened birds and substantial tourism value. National park visits alone generate an estimated R7.7 billion in recreational value each year, showing just how closely tourism and the long-term value of conservation are linked. The really interesting part is that the biggest gains showed up over decades, not overnight…
This is relevant to how and where we travel too: this week we look at choosing between the Maasai Mara National Reserve and its conservancies; and new research on future elephant-conflict hotspots. Plus, you can look into the value of private-group safaris below. The bottom line is simple: better planning and lower-pressure tourism can help give conservation the time and space it needs.
Did you know?
We donate a portion of the revenue from every safari sold to carefully selected conservation projects that make a significant difference at ground level. YOUR safari choice does make a difference – thank you!
Our stories this week
MARA RESERVE OR CONSERVANCY?
Compare Maasai Mara conservancies & the national reserve: night drives, walking safaris, wildlife density & the trade-offs of each.
HUMANS AND ELEPHANTS
Human expansion could drive sharp increases in elephant conflict across southern Africa by 2085, highlighting the need for better future planning.
Travel Desk – 2 African safari ideas
Kenya Big 5 – Laikipia & Maasai Mara – 8 days
Seek out some of Kenya’s rarest wildlife while travelling through landscapes where tourism directly supports conservation and local communities. This safari combines the Maasai Mara, Mara North Conservancy and wildlife-rich Laikipia, with chances to see the Big Five, Samburu Special Five and elusive species such as striped hyena, Grévy’s zebra, gerenuk and beisa oryx. Beyond game drives, enjoy anti-poaching experiences, horse and camel safaris, Maasai beading and other encounters that add real value to the places you visit.
Chobe | Victoria Falls | Timbavati – 10 days
Three countries, three iconic parks in one unforgettable safari. This luxury journey combines elephant-rich Chobe Riverfront, awe-inspiring Victoria Falls and the unparalleled Big Five safari experience of Timbavati in Greater Kruger. Drift along the Chobe River among hundreds of elephants, search for leopards, and soar above Victoria Falls on the legendary Flight of Angels.
Still dreaming of the ultimate African safari escape? Browse our safari ideas here. Or click here to plan your safari.
YOUR SAFARI. YOUR IMPACT.
Africa Geographic recently donated to the Tsavo Trust Big Tusker Project, supporting vital field operations to monitor and protect Tsavo’s iconic elephants.
A few weeks ago, the Tsavo Trust team spent time with a remarkable cross-section of Tsavo’s iconic bulls, including Balguda, Hatulo, Roka, EM2, Irima, Kono Moju, AB1, Jimitunda, Tsavo Bull, SI1, MM2, DH1, and MU2. The elephants were in good condition, and sightings provided valuable information on their movements, condition, and habitat use. This ongoing monitoring allows Tsavo Trust to build long-term records of individual bulls and identify emerging concerns early, which is essential work for protecting these extraordinary elephants.
Your safari helps make this possible. A portion of the revenue from every Africa Geographic safari contributes to conservation projects like the Big Tusker Project, so booking with us means your trip directly supports the wildlife you travel to see.
Want to support these iconic elephants directly? Donate via our Guarding Tuskers campaign
WATCH
Go deep into Botswana’s Okavango Delta, where lions, leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs and huge herds move through one of Africa’s richest wildernesses. In private concessions, ethical off-road tracking, night drives, walking safaris and mokoro excursions reveal a more immersive side of the Delta – and the kind of lower-density, high-value tourism that helps keep these landscapes wild. (01:49) Click here to watch
Cover image: The rainbow, the giraffe and the oxpecker. “The sun emerged after a quick tropical storm, producing a rainbow over the plains. A tower of Maasai giraffes appeared, making their way to the acacia trees nearby. I focused on this female, and as she moved forward, an oxpecker came in to land on her neck. My shutter went off for the next 20 seconds.” Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya. © Amish Chhagan.
Photographer of the Year 2024 entry.
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