What makes Namunyak Wildlife Conservation trust “a place of peace” for endangered species such as the De Brazza monkey? Naicef gives you a guide to Namunyak wildlife conservancy, Reteti elephant sanctuary and Namunyak conservancy definition.
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Did you know that Namunyak conservancy is the only place in the World, to experience the old century traditions of the Samburu culture at the “singing wells”.
The conservancy is also home to Africa’s first ever community owned Elephant sanctuary. Isn’t that amazing?
Below are some more of the tea-tip fun facts about the tales of Namunyak conservancy, a hidden gem in the heart of Northern Kenya.
Interesting Facts About Namunyak Wildlife Conservation Trust
1.Wildlife
Namunyak wildlife conservancy is home to a variety of wildlife such as the rare De Brazza Colobus Monkey. Other wild species are such as the African Wild Dog, Lion, Leopard, Grevy Zebra and also it is critical refuge habitat for the Mighty Elephant.
Another perfect destination to best see the rare De Brazza Monkey is Saiwa Swamp national park, Kenya’s smallest national park.
The conservancy is also home to the Reteti Elephant sanctuary that offers shelter to orphaned baby Elephants.
2. Community- Based Conservation
Who said that the local people can’t protect and ensure the future of Africa’s iconic wildlife?
The conservancy was formed in 1995 by the local Samburu people and ever since then, there have been a successful model supporting both wildlife protection and local living.
3. Culture
The conservancy is mostly a home to the ethnic Samburu people. The Samburu community in the conservancy are well renowned for their enrichment in their old-age traditions such as the “Singing wells”.
4. Strategic Location
Namunyak conservancy is among the scenic untouched protected areas located in the northern parts of Kenya. It is surrounded by the Matthews Range and is about 40 km from Samburu National Reserve, a haven to the ‘Special Five’ members.
5. Luxurious Accommodations
Apart from the incredible wildlife, Namunyak conservancy Kenya does contain some of the comfy luxurious stays. Some of those lodges do include; Sarara Camp, Reteti House, Saruni Rhino Camp, Kitich Camp, and Samburu Interpids.
Conservancy Definition
A conservancy basically is a privately or community-owned protected area for conserving wildlife. An interesting factor that gives a conservancy definition, is that it is normally run by people who have deep knowledge of the place.
In the case of Namunyak Conservancy, it is a community base run protected area by the Samburu people. The naming itself is also authentic as it is named from the Samburu language meaning “a place of peace”.
History of Namunyak Conservancy Kenya
Originally, the Samburu people share almost similar traditions to the Maasai and both are Nilotic tribes. In the mid 19th century both the tribes used to manage all the stretch lands running from Lake Turkana to Ethiopia.
However, tribal clashes aroused and the Samburu were forced to move to their current region in the south. The Namunyak community is made up of approximately 1200 registered families.
In 1995, after owning the area surrounding, the Namunyak community decided to establish the conservancy and thus Namunyak conservancy began. Check out also Lewa Conservancy, Kenya’s first ever established privately owned protected area, for the Black Rhino.
Over time, the conservancy aimed in conserving the various wildlife in the 75,000 acres vast plains as poaching had decreased a lot of wild animals.
In 2016, the Namunyak wildlife conservation trust decided to come up with the first ever community owned Elephant sanctuary. Reteti Elephant Sanctuary was born, whose main aim was to rescue and protect orphaned baby Elephants.
Location of Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy
The conservancy is located in Northern Kenya at the foothills of Mathews Ranges in Samburu County.
It is about 164 miles from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi and can be accessed either via road or air. Via air it can be reached through the Namunyak Airstrip and by road it can accessed via the Nanyuki-Isiolo-Samburu way.
Attractions in Namunyak Wildlife Conservation Trust
1. Wildlife
The conservancy habours a wide array of wild species from the animals, birds and stunning landscapes and vegetations. Below are the epic entailments of the conservancy;
i) Wild Animals
The conservancy is home to different wild animals that do include;
the Critically endangered Grevy Zebra, rare De Brazza Colobus Monkey, the Big Cats (Lion, Leopard, Cheetah), Giraffes, Elephants, Buffaloes among others.
Get also to check out Borana conservancy, a perfect place to spot the critically endangered Black Rhino.
ii) Reteti Elephant Sanctuary
This remarked as the first community owned haven for rescued and orphaned Elephants in the whole of Africa, in 2016. Here baby elephants are taken care of and feed until later when they are grown up and released back into the wild.
iii) Birds
Namunyak wildlife conservancy, is a home to many different bird species such as Guinea Fowls, Owls, and Nightjars.
iv) Flora
The conservancy habours remarkable ecosystems such as the savanna grasslands, acacia trees, baobab trees, the Kitich forest among others.
The conservancy is also surrounding by the stunning Mathew Mountain ranges a nice place for hikers and nature lovers.
2. Cultural Immersion
The conservancy is owned and managed by one of Kenya’s most ethnic tribes, Samburu. Namunyak conservancy, is considered to be the best place to experience the ancient Samburu culture such as the singing well and blacksmithing.
Things to Do In Namunyak Conservancy
1. Game views
Get to enjoy epic encounter with the different game views. The conservancy is home to over 480 Reticulated Giraffes, Lions, Elephants, Leopards, Cheetahs, the endangered Grevy Zebra among others.
2. Guided Horseback Safari
The conservancy grants one the chance to enjoy exploring the unexploited wilderness and enjoy the thrilling views while on a horseback.
3. Bird Watching
Experience the amazing chirping of different birds and get to have a chance to encounter with most of them as the conservancy is a bird haven.
Are you a bird lover?
A quick challenge then, how many types of birds do you know of? Lake Nakuru National Park mostly referred to as the “Pink Lake” due to the colouring of its beautiful Flamingoes, is a must visit paradise entailing over 400 different bird species.
4. Bush Meals
Here you get enjoy having meals under the sun and also under the stars in the evening. Experience the amazing safari all in the wild, be it game views or even be it the meals.
You may also be interested to experience having meals just beside the Mara River in Maasai Mara National Reserve, where one of the 7 Wonders of the World happens.
Do you wonder which Wonder of the World it is? Then check out the ultimate guide to Maasai Mara National Reserve by Naicef, to be able to experience the beauty of African wildlife safari.
5. Visit Reteti Elephant Sanctuary
Get to experience seeing orphaned baby Elephants as they playful roll over on the mud or even as they are fed with milk bottles. Enjoy having up-close views with the rescued Elephants that are later released in the wild.
6. Hiking Mathews Forest
Being a pure untouched hidden gem, get to enjoy hiking up the tropical green forest and test your level of fitness.
Are you beginner, intermediate or professional hiker, here are other best hiking trails in Kenya where you can seek to test your spirit.
7. Bush Walks
Get to bond with nature as you experience an escorted bush walk with Namunyak local guides who are well knowledgeable of the conservancy.
Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy Entry Fee
To be able to experience a Namunyak conservancy guide, here are the entrance fee;
Kenya Residents Fee
- Adult – Ksh 1000 -2000
- Child – Ksh 300-1500
International Visitors Fee
- Adult – USD 80-120
- Child – USD 45-75
Reteti Elephant Sanctuary Entrance Fee
To be able to visit the sanctuary here are the entrance fee for each category;
Reteti Elephant Sanctuary Kenya Residents Fee
- Adult – Ksh 350
- Child – Ksh 35
Reteti Elephant Sanctuary International Visitors Fee
- Adult – USD 35
- Child – USD 20
It is always advisable to book for the tour to Reteti Elephant sanctuary 24 hours prior, before the actual visit.
Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy Hotels
Some of the luxurious Namunyak wildlife conservancy hotels where you can get to stay as you enjoy your tour, are such as;
1. Sarana Camp. The camp offers six spacious en-suit tented rooms immersed in the wild with breathtaking views of the Mathews Range.
2. Reteti Camp. It is located in the conservancy and is only a ten-minutes’ walk from Reteti Elephant sanctuary. It offers four standalone spacious suites with amenities such as an infinity pool that overlooks the Elephant waterhole where they drink water.
3. Saruni Rhino Camp. It is a uniquely three rooms banda located in the vast unexploited plains of Sera conservancy located not far from Namunyak conservancy.
4. Kitich Camp. The camp is located in the Ngeng Valley surrounded by scenic green hills. It offers luxurious and comfy rooms that can accommodate a maximum of 16 guests at a time, which are eight en-suite canvas tents.
5. Sarara Treehouses. It is located among many ancient indigenous trees and the thriving ecosystem of Namunyak conservancy. It got eight luxurious tented en-suite rooms offering unique services such as outdoor showers.
6. Samburu Interpids. The lodge offers luxury tented rooms with scenic views of the vast plains and is situated along a river bank.
7.Samburu Saruni. It borders the conservancy to the north and offers luxurious private bandas which are spacious, comfy and offers privacy to its visitors.
Conclusion
Namunyak wildlife conservation trust is one of the epic wildlife habitats that you wouldn’t wanna miss out to visit.
A conservancy definition is basically a protected area for wildlife under the management of private entities or communities.
For the case of Namunyak conservancy, it is a community-based conservancy home to a wide range of wild species. Some of the wild animals found there are such as Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, the rare De Brazza’s Colobus Monkey.
It is also a critical migratory habitat for the Elephants which translocate among Ngare Ndare forest, Mount Kenya and Mathews Mountain ranges.
It was established in 1995 by the local Samburu after a period of poaching, to mitigate and promote wildlife conservation.
In the month of August 2016, Reteti Elephant sanctuary was opened by the back then County Governor, to rescue orphaned baby Elephants. This remarkably made the conservancy to be Africa’s first ever community owned conservancy to manage an Elephant sanctuary.
Some of the fun activities to partake in the Namunyak conservancy guide do include;
Game views, bird watching, visiting Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, guided nature walks, bush dinners, hiking into Mathews Forest.
Namunyak wildlife conservancy hotels are such as; Reteti House, Saruni Rhino Camp, Sarara Camp, Kitich Camp, and Samburu Interpids
Are you interested in visiting Namunyak conservancy Kenya? Reach out Naicef, the best tour company in Kenya, via email my@naicef.com or just tap +254799922277.
With Naicef you get to experience a luxurious tour safari, as Naicef is considered as the best blog in Kenya and Africa in general. So, buckle up because the adventure to African wildlife Safari awaits you!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Namunyak Conservancy Kenya known for?
It is known to be a home to a variety of wild species such as Lion, Leopard, Giraffe, Hyena, Zebra, Elephant. It’s also famously renowned to be the first ever community-based conservancy in Africa, to habour an Elephant sanctuary.
2.When is the best time to visit the conservancy?
It is best to visit the conservancy during the dry seasons for epic game views and cultural experience. The dry seasons are usually between December to March and June to September.
3. What are activities to do in the conservancy?
They do include; game viewing, bird watching, visit to Reteti Elephant sanctuary, guided nature walks, cultural immersion.
4. What is the relationship between the conservancy and Sarara foundation?
The conservancy works together with Sarara foundation in transforming wildlife conservation within the area.
5. What is the weather in the Northern Kenya region within the conservancy?
The temperatures are usually high throughout the year and the annual amounts of rainfall receivable are low.
