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On the 12 June, the Mara conservancy proudly celebrated their 20th anniversary. Custodians of the beautiful Mara Triangle, the Angama family is proud to support the Mara Conservancy in every way we can
Above: Looking out over the Maasai Mara

It all began way back in 1994, when the management of the Maasai Mara National Reserve was divided into the eastern side, managed by the Narok County Council, and the north-western sector (the Mara Triangle), then managed by the Trans Mara County Council. The Mara Triangle is 510 km/sq, representing about a third of the entire Reserve.

By the end of the 1990s, infrastructure, equipment and roads in the Mara Triangle were in disrepair. Vehicles were inoperable, staff morale was low, gate revenue was evaporating and poaching rampant. Gate buildings and ranger outposts had disintegrated and there was no running water nor functioning sanitation. The main road network, which had been constructed in the 1980s, had all but disappeared due to negligence and unregulated off-road driving had created a proliferation of tracks in the central part of the Mara Triangle.

Vehicles are only able to go off-road in some areas if they see a cat and only five cars are allowed at a sighting

Often not paid for months, 30% of the staff complement was present at any one time. There were several private sets of park entrance tickets and recognised revenue was 20% of the potential. Only one-third of the Mara Triangle was considered secure, with the remainder unvisited by security staff and tourists. In these areas poaching and illegal grazing were out of control, with thousands of wild animals being killed annually. Cattle theft along the escarpment was also a frequent occurrence.

Something had to be done. Fast.

You will often come across the anti-rhino-poaching vehicle doing its rounds in the Mara Triangle

In 2000, several local leaders became concerned about levels of mismanagement in the Mara Triangle, and as a result, the Mara Conservancy, a not-for-profit management company, was established to manage the Triangle in collaboration with the Trans Mara County Council. A management agreement was signed and the Mara Conservancy started operations in the Mara Triangle on 12 June 2001, only 20 short years ago.

This created the first public/private sector partnership of its kind in the region and has led to an active and cooperative partnership between conservation professionals and the local Maasai community that endeavours to improve the conservation and management of one of the most visited and well-known protected areas in the world. The management of the Mara Triangle by the Mara Conservancy is based on transparency and accountability. Operating solely on 37.5% of tourism revenue, the following has been achieved: 126 000 ha protected; 200 jobs created; 250 000 ha patrolled; 4 600 poachers arrested; 59 000 snares destroyed; and 30 000 dogs vaccinated. Nothing short of miraculous.

Mara Conservancy Rangers looking smart at the 20th Anniversary celebration
The anti-poaching unit has made a marked impact in the years that it has been active

In celebration of 20 years of dedication, it is fitting for us to remember those with the foresight who established the Conservancy. Those who worked hard for two years to achieve what was then considered impossible, a private not-for-profit company managing a Protected Area. The Conservancy has proved that a public/private partnership can work in conservation and the model is now being touted for other National Parks.

The team of the Mara Conservancy celebrated the 20th Anniversary in style
Brian Heath, current CEO of the Mara Conservancy, speaks at the 20th Anniversary celebration
A well-deserved delight for the entire team at the Mara Conservancy

The Angama family would like to honour the following people who work so hard to ensure that our guests experience the finest wildlife viewing in Africa: Ole Kijabe, Gov Samuel Tunai, Shadrack Seiyio, Brian Heath, the Conservancy team and the board of directors. Without the work that you all do each day we would not have a business. It is as simple as that.

The sun sets on another magnificent day in the Mara

Asanteni sana. Hongera.

Note from the Editor

Through the Angama Foundation, we support the following initiatives which aid the Maasai Mara: collaring for conservation; Mara Elephant Project; Mara Raptor Project; livestock protection; and safeguarding the Mara Triangle rhinos. And lastly, a project of which we are most proud is The Greatest Maasai Mara Photographer of the Year competition which raises much-needed funds for boots-on-the-ground non-profits, including the Mara Conservancy.

Filed under: The Mara

Tagged with:

Angama Foundation , Maasai Mara , Mara Conservancy

About: Nicky Fitzgerald

After more than 30 years in hospitality, starting with a small hotel at the foot of Africa and followed by a further couple of Cape hotels, most notably The Bay, and sixty plus safari lodges across Africa and India, Nicky has served more meals, puffed more cushions, filled more beds, trained more staff and opened more properties than she cares to remember. Nicky retired as Angama's CEO in July of 2022 and remains an advisor and delightfully opinionated member of the Board.

Browse all articles by Nicky Fitzgerald Meet the angama team

Keep Reading

This Week At Angama #5 6 March 2018 A miracle happens when you add water to the land. Soaking rains this week brought the Maasai Mara to life and provided wonderful photographic canvases By Adam Bannister
Banking on Bomas 25 June 2019 Safeguarding the neighbouring community’s livestock protects the Mara’s predators and encourages shared responsibility for the success of the human/wildlife ecosystem By Sue van Winsen
The Master, the Maestro & your Mara host 14 November 2017 In a second post about the Angama Foundation’s new photography competition, Steve Mitchell introduces us to the three remarkable photographers who will be the competition's judges By Steve Mitchell
The Best Things to do in Kenya 18 August 2020 While we already know about the iconic Kenyan attractions like the Maasai Mara and the Swahili coastline – there are all sorts of incredible secret spots which, for the most part, only locals know about By Sue van Winsen
Join the Conversation (2 comments)

Comments (2):

Arthur Childs

23 June 2021

Nicky, I just want to take this time to thank you for your teams wonderful posts and updates on this Blog ... My wife and I have been planning this trip for over a year and coming to this site has been a breath of fresh air thru the very difficult time our world has been experiencing ... It has kept me excited for our upcoming trip and has been an outlet to dream and get thru the hardest days of this pandemic . I look forward to meeting you and the team at Angama . Stay Safe ! Best Dr Childs

    Charlotte Ross Stewart

    23 June 2021

    Hello Dr Childs, Nicky was delighted by your comment and asked me to pass on the following reply; Dear Dr Childs Thank you so much for your gracious message. I am delighted that our blogs are keeping you both excited for your upcoming safari to Kenya. The Angama family will be waiting with arms open wide to welcome you to our lovely little corner of Africa. Warmest regards Nicky

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