KENYA


We watched in awe as a zebra gave birth, its calf up and on its feet within minutes; with childlike joy as lion cubs splashed in puddles; and with quiet concern for a lone cheetah prowling the plains for a much-needed meal. Best of all, though, was not having to share any of these incredible moments with a convoy of other tourists – a luxury rarely afforded within the heavily congested reserve.


onÃiÀÛ>nVÞ LiniwÌà And therein lies the magic of the conservancy model. The Maasai have not always got on with some of their four-legged neighbours. Once upon a time, cattle farmers would target any animal that killed their livestock, erecting fences as added protection. This affected important wildlife corridors and had a devastating impact on the 1.5 million wildebeest and zebras that migrate each year between Kenya and Tanzania. Radical thinking was required. One person who shared the concerns was Branson. In 2007, the Virgin Group boss met with local conservationists, who expressed their fears for the future of the Mara and all who called it home. “The area serves as a crucial migration route for wildlife travelling to and from the Serengeti,” À>nÃon iÝ«l>ini`° º7i ÜiÀi moÌiÛ>Ìi` Ìo wn` > ÃolÕÌion°» Landowners were persuaded to tear down their fences and come together to form a collective area in which a small number of camps, such as Mahali Mzuri, could operate. In exchange, they would receive annual payments, thus directly LiniwÌin} vÀom ÌoÕÀiÃm] >à Üill >à oÌhiÀ inVinÌiÛià ÃÕVh >à compensation should their livestock be killed by a predator. ̽à noÌ onlÞ Ìhi loV>là >n` Üil`livi Ìh>Ì LiniwÌ° -o Ìoo `o visitors seeking an enriched and lower-impact experience. Fewer camps means fewer people and that, in turn, means fewer vehicles around each animal sighting – something that is strictly controlled and enforced. And with the reserve having recently doubled its fees to about $200 per day, the 13 conservancies – which have now collectively added 50% more land to the Mara’s ecosystem – offer better value for money than ever before. Success like this may have been at least a decade in the


FROM TOP: Sir Richard Branson on a game drive at Mahali Mzuri;


guide Betty Maite; wildebeest and safari migration Credits: Virgin Limited Edition/Mahali Mazuri


making but the best things, as ever, are worth waiting for. BOOK IT: Elegant Resorts offers seven nights at Mahali Mzuri from


£6,648, including meals, drinks, flights, transfers and lounge access. ELEGANTRESORTS.CO.UK


aspiretravelclub.co.uk


JANUARY 2024 ASPIRE


59


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