Kicheche: All you need to know

Kicheche Mara Camp

The camp prides itself on offering a friendly and relaxing stay, with our hosts treating you as welcome guests, not mere travel statistics. To maintain this intimate and relaxed atmosphere there is a maximum of twenty two guests at any time. Each tent is comfortably furnished with an en-suite bathroom and flushing toilet, low wattage lighting is supplied 24 hours. The majority of the tents are in secluded positions overlooking the plains and nearby hills, while others are closer together for families or friends. Triple and Quad tents (1 double & 2 single beds) are also available. The spacious Nyati tent acts as the camp lounge with comfortable seating, a library, board games, cards and local crafts. Back

Mara Camp Location

Kicheche Mara Camp is located on the Aitong Plains in the northern Koiyaki Lemek region of the famous Masai Mara. The camp is located in a prime wildlife area and game viewing starts right from the camp itself. Access is from Ngerende airstrip, 35 minutes game drive away.Back

Mara Camp Activities

Game Drives

Early morning and late afternoon are the most productive hours for game drives and our safari customised 4WD vehicles give everyone a perfect view. Watching wildlife at close range, but without encroaching on their space, is endlessly fascinating and our guides' instincts and experience provide superb photo opportunities of wild animals.

Our vehicles are superbly designed for photographers, all our fleet is open-sided with open roofs. Cameras can be rested on the roof, with supplied beanbags, or on the armrests lower down, to which we can mount simple platforms for larger lenses. For complete flexibility it is recommended that you take a vehicle on an exclusive use basis ($220 per day supplement).

Walking

A different perspective is gained through escorted walks on the savannah. Safety is paramount when leaving camp on foot so all walks are escorted by an armed ranger. Our interpretive guides will point out the spoor of a leopard, the nest of a rare bird or signs of recent migration activity that would pass unnoticed by the eyes of strangers...

Village Visits

Guests can visit one of the local Maasai villages to see first hand their way of life. A village guide or your Kicheche guide will give you an interprative talk during your visit. There is sometimes dancing and traditional souvenirs are on sale. There is a charge of $10 per person.

School Visits

Kicheche's Community Project supports two local schools - Olkimitare Nursery School & Aitong Primary Academy, during term time it is possible to pay a visit to either school. Any educational gifts or donations that you can contribute are an enormous help to these struggling schools. Further details on our Community Project page.

Daily Schedules

Rigid daily schedules are not on our agenda, there are no hard and fast rules at Kicheche so guests can decide on the duration and frequency of their drives. Picnic breakfasts, lunches and sundowners are popular options to include on game drives. Back

Cuisine

Our cooks produce delicious and healthy meals, and the menu features both African and international dishes. Fresh produce is flown in regularly and bread and pastries are baked daily. We have a mess tent for inclement weather, but prefer to take meals al-fresco whenever possible. Guest may sit at the communal table with their hosts, or are welcome to dine alone. Back

Kicheche Bush Camp

Six spacious, fully insect-proof custom designed tents, equipped with twin or double beds, linen, bedside tables, luggage racks and rugs. Bathrooms are en-suite and are equipped with a dresser, flushing toilet and a traditional safari bucket shower with a view. There are comfortable chairs on each verandah overlooking the plains. One tent can be converted into a triple on request. There is a spacious well furnished lounge and dining tent, although we prefer to each alfresco if weather permits. Back

Kicheche Bush Camp Location

Kicheche Bush Camp is located in the Masai Mara within the Olare Orok Conservancy (created from Koiyaki Group Ranch lands) bordering the Reserve. The Olare Orok Conservancy, through it's strict limit on bed numbers, offers an incomparable gameviewing experience without crowds. The camp is located in a prime wildlife area and game viewing starts right from the camp itself. The location is also ideal to experience the wildebeest migration. Access is from Ol Kiombo airstrip, 40 minutes game drive away. Back

Kicheche Bush Camp Activities

Game Drives

Walking

A different perspective is gained through escorted walks on the savannah. Our interpretive guides will point out the spoor of a leopard, the nest of a rare bird or signs of recent migration activity that would pass unnoticed by the eyes of strangers...

Village Visits

School Visits

Hot Air Ballooning

This is a popular excursion in the Masai Mara. Balloons take off early each morning at sunrise and glide over the plains for approximately an hour before landing. Upon touchdown a champagne breakfast is set up before you. The excursion finishes with a game drive back to camp. Price is US$390 per person and trips can be booked through Kicheche or your tour operator. Game Drives

Walking

Village Visits

School Visits

Hot Air Ballooning

Kicheche Laikipia Camp Introduction

Kicheche Camps are delighted to announce the opening of a new camp in Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Laikipia. The Conservancy has expanded to 90,000 acres and offers a beautifully remote environment to enjoy quality game viewing and other bush activities. Back

Location

The Conservancy is home to Kenya’s largest population of Black Rhino, considerable numbers of elephant, cheetah, lion, leopard and plentiful plains game. There are also a number of rare Northern species like Grevys Zebra, Jacksons Hartebeest and Beisa Oryx. Kicheche is located in the Wilderness zone of the Conservancy and with only one bed per 1,500 acres this offers an incredibly private experience. The Conservancy lies on the equator and has Mt Kenya as a stunning backdrop. Back

Access

In the heart of Kenya, Nanyuki Airstrip (40 minutes drive) offers daily connections from Nairobi on Air Kenya and Safarilink and onward scheduled flights to Samburu, Lewa and the Masai Mara, as well as return flights to Nairobi. Flights depart Nanyuki at 0950 and 1100 for Samburu, 1000 for Masai Mara and 1200 & 1230 for Nairobi. Flights depart Nairobi for Nanyuki at 0800, 0915 and 1020. Tropic Air charters are also based in Nanyuki and cover airstrips all over the country. If utilizing an air charter the nearby Ol Pejeta Airstrip can be used for arrivals or departures.

By road the drive from/to Nairobi takes approximately 4 hours from Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Back

Camp Description

The camp will be just six luxurious tents nestled at the foot of indigenous forest overlooking a small waterhole in the centre of the Conservancy. The Camp will be hosted by the inimitable Andy and Sonja Webb, our very experienced management couple, ensuring you have a wonderful stay at our bush hideaway. They along with our experienced guides will co-ordinate your activities during your stay. In the communal area we have a large interconnected lounge/ dining tent which has a fireplace in the cosy lounge section. Power and lighting is available 24 hours and is generated by our solar set-up. Recharging facilities are available in the lounge tent. Back

Meals & Drinks

Where possible we source all our vegetables and meat locally from the surrounding farms, in an area known worldwide for its fertility. Breakfast and lunch are usually taken alfresco and evening meals within the dining tent. Drinks are included and we have a fully stocked bar with a range of wines. Picnic breakfasts and lunches are also available on game driving excursions. Back

Activities

We offer a full selection of game-viewing activities including Day Game Drives, Night Game Drives which focus on nocturnal species not seen on regular day drives. Interpretative Game Walks are another activity permitted on the Conservancy.

There is also a Lion Tracking program which monitors the lions of the area (some have been collared with receivers). As part of the program we are able to track the lions with a portable satellite dish and remit the data to the study centre. A Horse Riding excursion is currently being set up, more details will be made available soon.

In addition, the Wildlife Educational Centre is interesting for both children and adults alike, and the Chimpanzee Sanctuary for orphaned chimps is an excellent venue to observe the two families and learn about the perils facing chimpanzees in the wild. We offer private visits to the Sanctuary outside the normal visiting hours. Back

Climate & Seasons

We close the camp annually in the rainy seasons i.e from 15 Nov-15 Dec and April & May. Due to the proximity to Mt Kenya and the altitude the evenings and early mornings are chilly and guests are advised to pack appropriately. Day time temperatures are pleasantly warm though during July and August there can be a cold wind form the south-east. Back

Bookings

Bookings can be made through your tour operator or at the address below. Details on safari itineraries and prices are available on the following link Bookings

We look forward to welcoming you at Kicheche Laikipia Camp Back