West of Samburu National Reserve is the 40,000-hectare West Gate Community Conservancy. The thorny acacia scrub that makes up much of the conservancy is home to several thousand Samburu people and a healthy, and growing, population of large mammals, including up to 500 Grevy's zebras.
The Ewaso Ngiro River flows through the conservancy and is the focus of interest for the area's wildlife. However, most of the animals here are much more jumpy and elusive than those in the reserve proper. Regardless, this conservancy is a brilliant example of how conservation and the needs of local people can fit together.
There's an entry/conservation fee but it's only applicable to guests staying at the lodge and is included in lodge fees. Technically it's probably payable by everyone, but as there are villages within the conservancy you could equally be just visiting a village and so nobody actually charges you to enter the conservancy.
