November 2008
Located on the private Ol Pejeta Conservancy at the foot of Mount Kenya and right on the equator. This superb new camp offers six spacious tents with views across a permanent waterhole. Each tent has a generous and shaded veranda, a tastefully decorated interior with a shower and flush WC. The main area is a timber and canvas framed space anchored at both ends by huge stone fireplaces. The Kicheche team have taken the best design aspects from their Mara Bush Camp and created the perfect low-impact safari retreat. As is normal for Kicheche guests, guided activities are totally flexible and aim to maximise the time spent watching Africa’s fascinating wildlife. Breakfast and lunch can be enjoyed as a moveable feast on the open plains.
The Ol Pejeta Conservancy has been integral in proving that controlled grazing of cattle has resulted in an increase of wildlife numbers. In addition, it makes economic sense, as with the two enterprises it is possible to increase overall profit per acre. An integrated system of cattle production and tourism provides more income and better margins than an “either, or” situation. Furthermore, it is politically important to be seen to be maximizing land productivity.
The 90,000 hectare conservancy is home to East Africa’s largest population of Black Rhino as well as rare species like White Rhino, Grevy’s Zebra, Jackson’s Hartebeest, and Beisa Oryx. Game drives, night drives and guided walks will allow guests to see a diverse range of species including all the big cats, elephants, Reticulated Giraffe and a number of primates including the Patas Monkey. There is also the opportunity to radio track collared lions. This is a wildlife experience to combine with and compliment the wonderful Mara ecosystem.
September 2008
Some great insight from Andy Webb into life at Bush Camp during the migration. Bush Camp has been at the centre of some fantastic Conservancy wildlife action.... After a couple of days of rain the Serengeti wildebeest moved into the Conservancy in full force. No night goes by without the continual lowing of thousands of wildebeest mingling with the grunt of the Moniko lion pride and the whooping of the hyenas. Two nights ago the pride decided that the plain to our east was to be their hunting ground and after a night punctuated by many lion grunts the morning game drives met up with the pride with their cubs finishing off two wildebeest carcasses right behind camp.
The morning walk produced two male cheetahs on a topi kill not 300 yards in front of camp. Two elephant herds with small calves kept us on our toes before we found a picturesque spot for our bush breakfast.
Last night, while guests were showering, the lions chased a wildebeest right past the camp fire and caught and killed it in the car park. So dinner was enjoyed by the lions, in the car park, and guests, in the dining tent, looking on. Brian (one of our repeat guests) told us the next morning that the male lion decided to work off his meal standing guard and roaring outside his tent from about two a.m.
At 7am this morning Sonja and I heard the sudden mad snorting of an impala followed by three ewes shooting past the front of our tent with a female cheetah hot on their tails. Tailing them, in a Land Cruiser, was Simon and his four guests hoping to see a kill before they returned for breakfast. The impala however had other ideas, the female cheetah made two more attempts at the impala as they dodged between the tents and the trees to successfully evade the hungry cat.
The remains of the wildebeest in the car park were finished off this morning by 20 odd cackling and bickering vultures much to the amusement of our guests at breakfasting under the trees.
June 2008
KICHECHE LAIKIPIA CAMP - OPENING 1st DEC 2008
We are very pleased to announce that Kicheche will be opening their new Camp in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Laikipia at the end of this year.
Hosted by the highly experienced Andy & Sonja, the 6 tents are situated in a beautifully remote, game rich area. The same exceptional standard of game viewing activities, as at other Kicheche camps, will be on offer as well as exciting editions including Lion Tracking, Horseriding and private access to the Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
Full briefing details on the new Camp and 2009 rates are available from us. Combination packages with the Mara camps are available here.
May 2008
Hot on the heels of Mr Jackman, Simon Calder visited Kicheche Mara Camp and raved about his experience in The Independent.
Both Kicheche Mara and Bush Camps will be open for business on the 1st June.
March 2008
Brian Jackman recently visited the Masai Mara for the Telegraph and spent some time in the Olare Orok Conservancy at Kicheche Bush Camp. If you missed the Telegraph this weekend, you can read his conclusions on Kenya and Kicheche here.
February 2008
Naisho the cheetah and her four cubs have provided great viewing at Kicheche Bush Camp this season. All though Naisho has proved to be a brilliant mother in supporting and feeding her four cubs, she did leave them to fend for themselves at about thirteen months of age. Guests still see her from time to time. Her three sons have been seen hunting within the Conservancy and are doing well. There is no news of her beautiful daughter.
The good rains and lush grass have brought on the birth of many topi, zebra and gazelles. The resident wildebeest have started calving and Andy reports how wonderful it has been for guests to see so many young calves and foals around the camp.
February 2008
Here is the latest news from Andy and Sonja at Kicheche Bush Camp:
True to form the new site we had chosen has lived up to and beyond all expectations. We not only have what we know is the best site in the heart of the Conservancy but also smack in the middle of the migration route for herds of zebra and wildebeest! We never would have thought that the constant lowing of wildebeests as they moved across the plains, would give us sleepless nights!
If one could call it a ‘normal rainy season’ then that is what we have experienced this season. The rains filled water holes around the conservancy so providing plenty of water for the game. The plains have been like vast green carpets – providing sweet grass for all the game. We are now heading for the rainy seasons of March and April.
Our local lion pride, the Moniko Pride, has been very successful in raising three cubs that are about six month old now. Although this pride has a large territory they seem to spend most of their time on Moniko Hill just 2km west of the camp. They have also been the main source of entertainment in the evenings calling to each other.
Greg has added a new guest comments page to the website which features recent client reviews from January and February this year. With the negative media attention that Kenya has recieved post-elections, we thought some unedited guest feedback might be appreciated.