Conservancies in Amboseli national park
CONSERVANCIES IN AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK
Conservancies in Amboseli national park : Amboseli national park is an incredible Kenya tourist destination situated in Kajiado county of Kenya along the border of Kenya and Tanzania, the park is situated southeast of Nairobi about 240 kilometers (4 hour drive). Amboseli national park is a famous safari destination popularly known for large herds of elephants with impressive/big tusks and the magnificent background of Mount Kilimanjaro the tallest on African continent – its snowcapped summit can be seen.
Amboseli national park is the second most popular national park after Maasai Mara national reserve, the park covers an area of 39,206 hectares. Amboseli national park is a UNESCO-Mab Biosphere Reserve in 1991.
The only conservancy found in Amboseli national park is the Selenkay Conservancy.
SELENKAY CONSERVANCY
Selenkay conservancy is a private conservancy and a Masai owned conservancy situated adjacent to Amboseli national park about 16 kilometers north of the northern boundary of the park, the conservancy covers an area of 15000 acres of land and shares a similar eco-system with Amboseli national park.
Selenkay Conservancy is one of the pioneers of community conservation in the greater Kenya, this is seen from the way the conservancy promote, encourages and conserves the wildlife and nature. Selenkay conservancy was established by Gamewatchers Safari Limited (Porini Camps) on land leased by local Maasai Tribes with the aim of mitigating human-wildlife conflicts and the increasing the buffer zone around Amboseli national park.
Though Selenkay Conservancy was majorly established with a purpose of protecting and encouraging the conservation of wildlife, it also aims at creating a way for the local community comprising of the Maasai mostly to earn a living as an alternative to farming. Before the establishment of Selenkay Conservancy, animals used to migrate from Amboseli national park to the lands of the Maasai local communities which caused human-wildlife conflict. These animals ended up being killed by the Maasai people in fear of causing dear to them and destroying their farming lands, the establishment of this conservancy provided a new home to the animals migrating from Amboseli national park. The establishment of the conservancy has resulted into the recent increase in animals in both Amboseli national park and Selenkay conservancy most especially elephants.
Like Amboseli national park, Selenkay Conservancy is famously known for its large herds of elephants. to facilitate the exploring of the conservancy- roads have been established in the heart of the conservancy (formerly Maasai owned people). In Selenkay Conservancy, there is one established camp offering lodging and other facilities to tourists on a Kenya safari which is Porini Amboseli Camp, this camp is part of the Porini group of camps. The Porini Amboseli Camp is situated in the remote location of Selenkay Conservancy, in a site with less tracks thus promoting a natural habitat for wildlife in the conservancy.
Most of the activities done in Selenkay Conservancy are run by Porini Amboseli Camp, while exploring the conservancy, game rangers, trackers and the camp stuff. During a Kenya safari, a maximum of 18 guests at a time are allowed in the conservancy. As a tourists expect to get a magical experience during your safari to Selenkay Conservancy and for the photographers you get great shots with the white hills of Kilimanjaro in the background.
WILDLIFE IN SELENKAY CONSERVANCY
Animals
Selenkay Conservancy is a habitant to a variety of fascinating wildlife species, the conservancy is popularly known for hosting large herds of elephants seen in big numbers with their impressive tusks. Other animals in Selenkay conservancy include lions, cheetahs, leopards, Thomson and Grant’s gazelles, bat-eared fox, mongoose, porcupine, giraffe, yellow baboon, cheetahs, stripped and spotted hyena, civets, servals among others.
Birds
Selenkay conservancy is a bird haven hosting numerous species of birds making it one of the best Kenya birding spots, these birds include Blue-cheeked bee-eater, Martial eagle, lesser flamingo, Grey crowned crane, lesser kestrel and shoebill among others.
KENYA SAFARI ACTIVITIES TO DO IN SELENKAY CONSERVANCY
Selenkay conservancy is among the un- spoilt Kenya safari destinations thus offering Authentic African Safari activities and when you visit, be sure of having a wonderful experience. Kenya safari activities to do include
Game drive
Selenkay Conservancy is a fascinating Kenya safari destination for game viewing expeditions, game drives in this conservancy offers an opportunity to explore the beautiful wilderness and it done while driving on neatly established routes. While on game drives you will be able to get clear views of various animals wandering in the flat plains dominating the conservancy, some of the animals you will be able to see include lions, cheetahs, leopards, Thomson and Grant’s gazelles, lesser Kudu, gerenuk and yellow baboon among others.
Game drives/game viewing in Selenkay conservancy is done and offered in three sessions that is day, evening and night game drives. All of these game drives are led by a profession Maasai guide fro Porini Amboseli Camp.
Guided nature walks
Guided nature walks are one of the best ways to explore the amazing Selenkay Conservancy, this activity is done on foot and led by a well informed and experienced Maasai Guide. Guided nature walks offers an opportunity to get close to nature in the conservancy and see a variety of animals such as elephants, Thomson and Grant’s gazelles, cheetahs, leopards among others thus Conservancies in Amboseli national park.
Community visit
Along the borders of Amboseli national park and Selenkay Conservancy, there are Maasai communities where community visits can be done. After a game drive and nature walk experience in Selenkay conservancy, you can have a visit to the Maasai local community where you will have an encounter with the local Maasai People, witness their beautiful culture and participate in various activities such as rearing of the livestock, entertain by local dances and drama, visit the market centers among others.
WHERE TO STAY IN SELENKAY CONSERVANCY
During a Kenya safari visit to Selenkay Conservancy, accommodation can be got from numerous safari lodges and camps offering comfortable stay. These include
- Porini Amboseli camp
- Gamewatchers adventure camp
- Amboseli eco-camp
- Penuel plaza hotel
- kimana Amboseli camp
- masai Simba camp
- Satao Elerai camp and many more.
HOW TO GET TO SELENKAY CONSERVANCY
Selenkay conservancy is located in about 175 kilometers from Nairobi city the capital of Kenya, one can get to the conservancy using both road and air means. By road, The Nairobi – Mombasa through Emali Route is used. By air, domestic chartered flights are offered from Jomo Kenyatta International airport to Selenkay airstrip which serves the conservancy.