Top 12 'Fence-Free' Wildlife Conservancies to stay at for an Ethical African Safari in 2025
The classic image of an African safari—vast, sun-drenched plains teeming with wildlife, where horizons stretch uninterrupted to the sky—is a dream many of us hold dear. For decades, the adventure was defined by bumpy rides through national parks. But as a new generation of conscious travellers emerges, we're asking for more. We want our journeys to mean something, to contribute positively to the places we visit, and to feel truly, deeply wild.
This is where the wildlife conservancy model comes in, and it's completely changing the game for ethical travel in Africa. Unlike traditional national parks, which are government-run and often face challenges with overcrowding and funding, conservancies are innovative partnerships. They typically involve local communities leasing their ancestral lands to responsible tourism operators. The result? A win-win-win situation. The community receives a stable income, wildlife gains protected habitat and crucial migration corridors, and you, the traveller, get an exclusive, intimate safari experience far from the crowds.
Here at the Goh Ling Yong blog, we believe that how you travel matters. Choosing a conservancy isn't just about a better safari; it's a vote for a sustainable future for Africa's iconic wildlife and its people. These "fence-free" havens allow animals to roam as they have for millennia, ensuring a truly authentic and impactful adventure. So, if you're planning a trip for 2025, here are my top 12 conservancies where your visit makes a real difference.
1. Mara North Conservancy, Kenya
The Quintessential Private Mara Experience
Adjacent to the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve, Mara North is a trailblazer in community conservation. It's a partnership between 800 Maasai landowners and a handful of select safari camps, creating a 74,000-acre wilderness that is exclusive to guests staying within its borders. This means no minibus traffic jams around a lion sighting—just you, your guide, and the magnificent wildlife of the Mara ecosystem.
The conservancy is a vital part of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, serving as a critical dispersal area for the Great Migration. The density of predators here is staggering, with several resident lion prides, elusive leopards, and cheetahs thriving on the open plains. Because it’s a private conservancy, the rules are more flexible than in the national reserve. Here, you can embark on thrilling night drives to witness nocturnal creatures, or set out on a guided walking safari to connect with the bush on a more intimate level.
- Pro Tip: Stay at a camp like Elephant Pepper Camp or Serian's Nkorombo for an authentic, under-canvas experience. Ask your guide about the conservancy's community projects, like the local schools and healthcare clinics funded directly by your stay.
2. Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya
A Powerhouse of Conservation Innovation
While most famous as the home of the last two northern white rhinos on Earth, Ol Pejeta is so much more. This 90,000-acre conservancy in Laikipia is a shining example of how tourism can fund intensive, cutting-edge conservation. It boasts the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa and is the only place in Kenya where you can see chimpanzees, rescued at the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
Ol Pejeta masterfully balances its conservation work with an exceptional safari experience. It offers a complete Big Five safari (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and both black and white rhino) against the stunning backdrop of Mount Kenya. The conservancy's integrated model, combining wildlife conservation, community outreach, and agriculture, is a blueprint for sustainability. Visiting here feels less like a simple holiday and more like an inspiring education in what’s possible for the future of wildlife.
- Pro Tip: Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the rhino sanctuary and learn about the incredible efforts to protect these gentle giants. For a unique experience, track lions with the research team or take a guided horseback ride across the plains.
3. Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, Botswana
Where Wild Dogs and Elephants Reign Supreme
Nestled in the remote northern corner of Botswana, the Linyanti is a vast private concession that forms a crucial wildlife corridor between Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta. This is classic Botswana: wild, unfenced, and exclusive. The landscape is defined by the Linyanti River and its floodplains, which attract enormous herds of elephants during the dry season (May to October).
The Linyanti is arguably one of the best places in Africa to see the endangered African wild dog. Several packs have denning sites here, and the open terrain makes for fantastic viewing as they hunt. The camps here are small, intimate, and operate with an incredibly light footprint. Activities are diverse, ranging from traditional game drives and walking safaris to serene boat cruises and mokoro excursions along the waterways, offering a different perspective of the bush.
- Pro Tip: The dry season is prime time for wildlife viewing as animals congregate along the river. However, the "green season" (December to March) offers beautiful scenery, dramatic skies, and the chance to see newborn animals.
4. Naboisho Conservancy, Kenya
A Lion's Kingdom with a Community Heart
Naboisho, which means "coming together" in the Maasai language, is another jewel in the crown of the Greater Mara ecosystem. With one of the highest densities of lions in Africa, it offers some of the most reliable and dramatic predator viewing on the continent. The 50,000-acre conservancy was formed by over 500 Maasai landowners, and the direct benefits they receive from tourism have transformed the region from pastoral land to a thriving wildlife habitat.
What makes Naboisho so special is its raw, untamed feel. The varied landscape of rolling hills, acacia woodlands, and seasonal rivers supports a huge diversity of wildlife year-round. As someone who has planned countless trips here, I, Goh Ling Yong, can attest that the quality of guiding in Naboisho is exceptional. The Maasai guides have an innate connection to this land, and their stories and tracking skills add an incredible depth to the safari experience.
- Pro Tip: Take full advantage of the activities not permitted in the main reserve. A night drive in Naboisho can reveal a whole new world of nocturnal species like aardvarks, genets, and hunting lions.
5. Grumeti Fund, Tanzania
Luxury Meets Large-Scale Conservation
Bordering the western edge of the Serengeti National Park, the Grumeti Fund is a 350,000-acre private concession that is a testament to what visionary, long-term conservation can achieve. When the land was taken over by investor and conservationist Paul Tudor Jones, it was largely depleted of wildlife. Today, through relentless anti-poaching and community development efforts, it has been restored to its former glory.
Operated by the renowned luxury safari brand Singita, a stay here is an immersion in both opulence and purpose. The concession lies directly in the path of the Great Migration, and guests can witness the spectacular river crossings in near-total privacy. Beyond the migration, the area has a robust resident wildlife population, including large lion prides and the rare Colobus monkey.
- Pro Tip: For a truly unforgettable experience, consider a horseback safari across the Grumeti plains. Galloping alongside herds of zebra and wildebeest is a memory that will stay with you forever.
6. Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and Rhino Haven
Lewa is one of Africa's most lauded conservation success stories. What started as a small rhino sanctuary has grown into a 62,000-acre catalyst for conservation across northern Kenya. Its successful model of community engagement and robust security has allowed populations of black rhino and the endangered Grevy's zebra to flourish. In 2013, its outstanding universal value was recognized when it was inscribed as an extension to the Mount Kenya UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A safari in Lewa is about more than just game drives. The lodges here offer a wide array of activities that allow you to explore this stunning landscape in different ways. You can go for a run with a Maasai guide, ride a camel through the hills, or even take a biplane flight for a bird's-eye view. The commitment to conservation is palpable everywhere, and visitors leave with a deep appreciation for the hard work involved.
- Pro Tip: If your visit coincides with June, consider participating in or cheering on the Lewa Safari Marathon, a unique fundraising event that takes runners on a course right through the conservancy.
7. Khwai Community Concession, Botswana
Safari Dollars Directly Empowering Local People
Situated on the eastern edge of the Okavango Delta, the Khwai Concession is a perfect example of a community-run tourism project. The land is owned and managed by the local Khwai community, who lease it to a few safari operators. This ensures that the revenue generated from tourism flows directly back to the people who call this wilderness home.
The concession shares an unfenced border with the Moremi Game Reserve, and the wildlife viewing is superb. The Khwai River is a magnet for animals, and it’s a hotspot for leopard, lion, and wild dog sightings. What sets Khwai apart is its blend of wet and dry environments, allowing for a full spectrum of safari activities. You can be on a game drive in the morning and gliding silently through the Delta's channels in a mokoro (traditional dugout canoe) in the afternoon.
- Pro Tip: A mokoro trip is an absolute must-do. It's a peaceful and magical way to experience the smaller details of the Delta ecosystem, from tiny painted reed frogs to majestic fish eagles.
8. Lower Zambezi Valley, Zambia
A Riverside Wilderness of Elephants and Adventure
While the Lower Zambezi is a National Park, it's flanked by enormous Game Management Areas (GMAs) and private concessions that operate on the same low-impact, high-value principle as conservancies. The entire area is a vast, unfenced wilderness where the Zambezi River is the star of the show. Giant herds of elephants and buffalo gather on its banks, while pods of hippos provide a constant, grunting soundtrack.
The magic of the Lower Zambezi lies in its variety of activities. A single day can include a morning walking safari, an afternoon game drive, and an evening boat cruise. However, the signature experience is canoeing. Paddling quietly along the channels, with elephants drinking just meters away and crocodiles sunning themselves on the banks, is a thrilling and humbling adventure. It’s a safari that engages all your senses.
- Pro Tip: Opt for a camp that offers a full range of activities. A "drift" down the river in a canoe, followed by a game drive back to camp as the sun sets, is the perfect Lower Zambezi day.
9. Palmwag Conservancy, Namibia
A Vast, Rugged Landscape of Desert Survivors
For those seeking a truly different and adventurous safari, look no further than the community-run conservancies of Namibia's Damaraland. The Palmwag Conservancy is a massive, 1.4-million-acre expanse of rocky plains, ancient valleys, and stark, beautiful mountains. This is not a place of teeming herds, but of rare and specialized desert-adapted wildlife.
Tracking desert-adapted black rhinos on foot with local guides is the area's pinnacle experience. This harsh environment is also home to desert-adapted elephants, lions, giraffes, and Hartmann's mountain zebra. A safari here is a lesson in resilience and adaptation. The sense of space and solitude is immense, offering a profound connection to a truly wild place.
- Pro Tip: This is a destination for the intrepid. The experience is more about tracking and exploration than just ticking off a checklist. Hiring a private guide is highly recommended to unlock the secrets of this challenging but rewarding landscape.
10. Borana Conservancy, Kenya
Where Tourism Exists Solely to Fund Conservation
Located in Laikipia, right next to Lewa, Borana operates on a simple yet powerful ethos: all profits from its tourism operations are ploughed directly back into conservation. There are no external donors; the safari you take here funds the protection of this critical habitat. In 2014, Borana and Lewa took the landmark step of removing the fence between them, creating a single, continuous conservation landscape of over 90,000 acres.
Borana is committed to protecting rhinos and is a key stronghold for the species in Kenya. Beyond the Big Five, the conservancy offers a huge range of activities. Horse riding is a specialty here, with stables of well-schooled horses suitable for all levels of rider. You can also explore the hills on a mountain bike, go on a guided walk, or simply relax at the stunning Borana Lodge, which is built into a hillside with panoramic views.
- Pro Tip: Ask about visiting the conservancy headquarters to understand their anti-poaching operations. Seeing the work of the tracker dogs and the dedication of the rangers is an inspiring experience.
11. Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe
A Non-Profit Jewel in the Southeast
While technically a private reserve, Malilangwe operates as a non-profit trust and deserves a spot on this list for its sheer scale and incredible conservation and community work. This stunning 130,000-acre wilderness in southeastern Zimbabwe is a place of breathtaking beauty, with red sandstone cliffs, baobab forests, and the shimmering Malilangwe Dam.
Managed by the non-profit Malilangwe Trust, the reserve is a haven for wildlife, including one of the highest densities of black rhino in Africa. The exclusive Singita Pamushana Lodge is the main accommodation, and its revenue funds everything from extensive anti-poaching patrols to a massive school feeding program that provides a daily meal for over 20,000 children in the local community. The game viewing is phenomenal, and the sense of exclusivity is unparalleled.
- Pro Tip: Be sure to take a boat cruise on the Malilangwe Dam and ask your guide to show you some of the ancient San rock art sites hidden amongst the sandstone outcrops.
12. Mwiba Wildlife Reserve, Tanzania
An Exclusive Slice of the Greater Serengeti
For ultimate privacy and exclusivity, it’s hard to beat Mwiba. This 126,000-acre private reserve, located on the southern edge of the Serengeti ecosystem, is leased from the local Datoga and Maasai communities. It is reserved for the exclusive use of guests at a very small number of ultra-luxurious lodges, including the magnificent Mwiba Lodge.
The landscape here is incredibly diverse, with rolling hills, riverine forests, natural springs, and vast open plains. This variety of habitats supports a rich diversity of wildlife. During the early part of the year, Mwiba becomes a crucial calving ground for the Great Migration. Beyond the wildlife, Mwiba offers profound and respectful cultural encounters with the semi-nomadic Hadzabe and Datoga peoples, providing a window into ancient traditions.
- Pro Tip: A visit to the Hadzabe community for a morning walk is an eye-opening experience. Learning about their ancient tracking and survival skills offers a perspective on the bush you simply can't get from a vehicle.
Your Journey Makes a Difference
Choosing where to go on safari in 2025 is about more than just stunning landscapes and incredible wildlife sightings. It’s an opportunity to make a conscious choice—to support a model of tourism that empowers communities, protects vast wilderness areas, and ensures that these magnificent animals can roam freely for generations to come.
By staying in a fence-free conservancy, you move from being a mere observer to an active participant in conservation. Your travel funds become a powerful tool for good, directly supporting the rangers, guides, and communities who are the true guardians of Africa's wildlife.
Ready to plan an ethical safari that leaves a positive legacy? [Contact me today], and let’s design a journey that not only fulfils your safari dreams but also makes a meaningful impact on the ground.
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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