The Maasai are Kenya's most well known tribe. Proud, tall and beautifully dressed in their characteristic red shukas they are incredibly distinctive. The Maasai are semi-nomadic pastoralists and their cattle are at the centre of Maasai culture and social life. The measure of a man's wealth is in terms of cattle therefore every man strives to keep as many cows as possible, as they represent the owner's status within the society. A managed cattle plan, including designated grazing areas, and access to water points, are extremely important to the success of the conservancy.

During the early 1980s the Maasai were given permission to re-inhabit their traditional homeland ranches around the Masai Mara National Reserve. The Kenyan government subdivided the Mara wildlife areas of the Mara Triangle, Olare Orok Conservancy and Mara North Conservancy (which were previously Group Ranches) into individual parcels with title deeds assigned to individual Maasai families.

The majority of Maasai still practice their traditional way of life and live in small cow dung huts, behind the relative safety of the thorny acacia fenced bomas. Although some benefits of modern life such as healthcare clinics, schools and access to safe water can be seen throughout the area; life still offers many challenges. Only a limited number within the community have access to these benefits. A majority still depend on traditional medicine, water is collected at small springs, and for many children who have the opportunity to attend school, the journey is long and the possibility of a close encounter with lion, elephant, or buffalo is always a threat.