Olare Orok Conservancy

Olare Orok Conservancy is a wildlife refuge in Narok County that borders the Masai Mara National Reserve to the north. The landscape consists of acacia woodlands divided by river valleys, creating distinct habitats for different animal populations.

A group of Masai landowners established this refuge in the early 2000s to protect native wildlife on their ancestral land. The creation reflected a shift toward community-led conservation in the region.

Local Maasai communities live within and around the land, continuing their pastoralist traditions while supporting wildlife protection efforts. This coexistence shapes the character of the place, where cattle and wild animals share the same spaces.

The dry season from June to October offers the best conditions for spotting wildlife concentrated around water sources. Access is easiest by small aircraft from Nairobi or by four-wheel drive vehicle through Narok town.

This refuge holds one of the highest concentrations of lions in the entire Masai Mara ecosystem, with multiple prides occupying different territories. This abundance of these apex predators makes it exceptional for observing their natural behavior.