KICHECHE CAMPS
September 2011
Painted Wolves in the Naboisho Conservancy
Hot on the heels of last week’s wildlife update from Kicheche Valley, we now have photos and video of the wild dogs in the Naboisho Conservancy. One of Africa’s most endangered species and a rare spot indeed in Kenya, although Kicheche Valley seems to be a having a great string of painted wolf sightings. The Wild Dog has never enjoyed quite the same status as Africa’s big cats and that is partly due to the relative difficulty in finding them. The footage shows a strong and healthy pack on the move close to Kicheche Valley.
Disney’s ‘African Cats’ Screens in Europe
Not to be outdone by their canine counterparts, the Mara’s lions are about to hit the big screen in October thanks to Disney Nature’s new feline epic, ‘African Cats.’ In sheer marketing value for Africa and Kenya, it is hard to put a price on a wildlife documentary going ‘mainstream’ in the cinema. I guarantee you that those cinema seats will be filled with people who add Africa to their travel wish list. Unlike many of the amazing wildlife documentaries of recent years though, the location and stars of this film are actually accessible to anybody. Time to start planning your ‘African Cats’ client events now and Kicheche is ready and waiting to provide the back-stage tour of the film set.
Brian Jackman gives his take in the Telegraph and adds his property recommendations.
Johanna and Patrick have been busy people with the launch of Kicheche Valley, the smallest luxury retreat in the Naboisho Conservancy and sister property to Kicheche Laikipia. As the months have gone by, the guiding team has set about acquiring the local game drive 'knowledge'. Whilst we are all well used to reading the consistently brilliant game viewing highlights from Bush and Mara Camps, Kicheche Valley is an endless learning curve. We can now share some of the latest information from the ground and fill in a few blanks as Johanna writes,
'We have just received a GPS camera from Denmark. Jonathan will be in charge of the camera, photographing mainly big cats and wild dogs. We will share these coordinates with the 'Living with Lions' researchers as they map the region. Shortly, three lions in Naboisho will be radio collared as they are in the prides that range outside the conservancy which puts them most at risk.
We have been lucky to see our six cheetahs on several occasions recently, including yesterday when they ventured close to camp and got chased away by a herd of elephants. The elephant herds number up to 50 individuals and are often seen from the camp dining deck.’
The guides have also reported sightings of a tree climbing lion and a pack of 14 wild dogs close to camp. These dogs have been spotted by the local community a number of times which is very encouraging.
In short, choosing Kicheche Valley over Bush or Mara is less about wildlife experience and more about property style. You can keep upto date with all the Kicheche properties through their facebook page.
August 2011
Kicheche Valley Special Offer
As you would expect from the Mara at this time of year, every piece of guest feedback revolves around the outstanding game viewing rather than the lovely new property in the Naboisho Conservancy! Manager Joanna has reported some impressive herds of elephant in the valley including one group of almost 200. The predator sightings have been consistent and the guides have had especially good lion and cheetah. Fortunately, a number of travel professionals have visited during July and they have definitely paid attention to the detail and liked what they saw. Kicheche Valley retains all the pure wilderness credentials associated with the name, whilst providing a luxury home in the Mara for your 'premium' clients.
To celebrate their new property, Kicheche are offering a '4 nights for the price of 3' special. Kicheche Valley Special Offer
July 2011
July will herald the opening of the smallest luxury camp in the Masai Mara’s newest conservancy. The Naboisho Conservancy adds vital protected habitat to Africa’s most admired eco-system. In this privileged setting, Kicheche have given their latest tented property an opulent twist with raised decks for the six tents and an elevated stone lapa. The conservancy offers the best of both worlds with easy access to the reserve during the migration months and private game viewing year round straight from camp. The conservancy landscape is diverse and includes classic open plains, forest, permanent water and rugged low hills. This provides an excellent habitat for the many species that crowd the Mara and an unforgettable wildlife experience for guests.
Kicheche Valley is unfenced and wildlife is free to move down the beautiful valley in which the camp is hidden. It is always worth keeping binoculars and a camera close at hand in the Mara because the safari doesn’t stop between game drives. The experienced staff will ensure that life in camp is relaxing and informative. Regardless of whether you need some background on Kenya’s conservancies, help identifying an LBJ or just need more ice for your drink, someone will always be happy to help. The first images are available here.
If you missed our last Kicheche webinar in June, you can watch the recording on the Northern Exposure website under the password protected ‘Agents Resources’. Just register yourself (choose your own password) and click the ‘Webinar’ link. It may take a moment to open depending on your broadband speed and when the Kicheche logo is displayed you know the presentation is running correctly. The presentation runs for 30 minutes and covers the 4 Kicheche camps and the conservancies in which they are situated.
Kicheche 2011 Pow Wow
A few days before the Kicheche Camps re-opened after the seasonal rains, the Kicheche Clan gathered at Bush Camp for two days of training, discussion, team building and serious competition. The growing impact of Kenya’s conservancies on the environment and community was a fascinating point of debate which involved everyone from the housekeepers to the managers. The support was obvious for what is seen as a fair deal for everyone and a well-managed eco-system. Kicheche’s future is inextricably linked to the thinking-man’s wilderness of the conservancies.
The competitive nature and skill of each department was tested in a number of (relatively) job specific tasks. The guides traded their finest insights into the rich habitat in which they operate before racing the clock on a wheel change challenge. I can confirm that should you suffer a puncture on your drive, your Kicheche guide will have the wheel changed and tools stowed before you can finish updating your bird watch tally for the day.
The Askaris are the watchful police force of the unfenced Mara, they know how many species are in camp and how to deal with each one. If you ever wondered exactly how much a man armed only with a rungu (throwing stick), a panga and maybe a spear can really achieve. The answer is, more than enough to deter any nocturnal feline prowlers. The throwing arm, timing and accuracy of each Askari was tested as a variety of weapons were deployed against unlucky targets on the edge of camp. The most flamboyant styles were wildly applauded and any deviation from a target bulls-eye was met with howling laughter.
The heat of the kitchen was amplified by the crowd of chefs and their support staff who battled to produce and present the finest dishes. Just like Master Chef only with smarter uniforms and more spine, the delicate fish just beat the perfectly seasoned beef to the finish line. The extra points were earned over the bush brunch which powers Kicheche ‘s game drives. Each smartly packed brunch was thoroughly checked and an ever growing team of judges tasted the various creations until just crumbs and the score sheet were left.
The housekeeping staff raced to clean tents and then really raced to complete the bucket shower challenge. Thames Water has never offered service like the buckets of steaming water hurtling between tents. The traditionalists sped down the pathways and the young contenders headed off-road to straight line through the Acacias. It was an interesting backdrop to the waiters who were blindfolded for the devilish tricky ‘blind’ wine pour. You can see the photographic highlights here.
The point of all this was to bring the four camps and office staff together for a bit of wisdom sharing and pre-season psyching. I’m happy to report that moral has never been higher and the Kicheche All-Stars are ready and waiting.
April 2011
Disney Studios will be releasing their latest wildlife epic in cinemas from the 22nd April. Filmed entirely in the Masai Mara and directed by Alastair Fothergill who created the wonderful 'Earth' series. The movie follows the lives of several lion and cheetah families as they raise their cubs in the Mara. The cinematography is guaranteed to be superb and unlike a real game drive, you can eat popcorn and make as much noise as you like.
The movie was filmed in various locations including the Mara North Conservancy which is home to Kicheche Mara Camp. If your clients are inspired to see the real thing for themselves, then Kicheche's trademark tented camps and unlimited game drive hours offer the finest introduction to Africa's most famous wildlife area.
The lovely new Kicheche Naboisho Camp is available for Mara Camp rates until 2012. You can read more about the camp on the Northern Exposure website or ask for a copy of the property pdf.
You can read all the latest special offers from Northern Exposure clients here.
April 2011
Kicheche Mara Camp is well and truly bedded into its new home in the Mara North Conservancy and already impressing very seasoned tour operators and media alike. You can see what Brian Jackman had to say about his recent time in the Mara’s conservancies by following the link below.
“This brand new eight-tent camp has bagged the Mara's most perfect location – a secret valley of yellow-barked acacias on the upper reaches of the Olare Orok River – and comes with its own resident leopard.” Full Telegraph article here.
The Naboisho Conservancy further east has reported rhino and wild dog being sighted for the first time in 20 years. Lion research is about to start up to compliment the recently launched elephant and ongoing Loita wildebeest research.
Meanwhile at Kicheche Laikipia Camp, conservation and education remain primary goals of the conservancy management plan. You may recall that a precious cargo of Northern White Rhino was relocated to Ol Pejeta a year ago. 12 months down the line it was everybody’s hope that all four animals would be settled, reintroduced and living as close to a wild existence as possible. All of this has been achieved and more. The conservancy rangers have reported a number of rhino romances taking place which everyone hopes will boost the tiny population of this species. More info.
The Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary on the Ol Pejeta Conservancy is the only place in Kenya where this highly endangered and remarkably intelligent species can be seen. Andy and his guides often include the sanctuary in their multi-day safaris. In 2010, approximately 7,000 Kenyan students visited the Ol Pejeta Conservancy and Chimpanzee Sanctuary for educational tours. Students get highly discounted rates when visiting and the conservancy is proud to be an important destination for educate young citizens about the plight of wildlife and chimpanzees. More chimps.
To combine Kicheche Laikipia Camp and their camps in the Mara, try the six night Conservancy Safari.
February 2011
Kicheche Bush Camp: Olare Orok Conservancy
December saw the culmination of 5 weeks' study with 22 rangers attending their passing out parade of a wildlife training course. The course, run by the Conservancy and Kenya Wildlife Trust, covered many areas of wildlife management, radio protocol, cattle monitoring, GPS and map reading skills and discipline.
Kicheche Mara Camp: Mara North Conservancy
'At last - I have found the best camp in the Mara, if not in Africa'. Mara Camp, with its new location, has certainly been living up to this recent comment from a highly respected travel journalist. General game viewing has been wonderful so far with Wild Dogs seen by guests in the last two weeks. Between January and June the game viewing in Mara North Conservancy is often better than the Reserve, yet is overshadowed later in the year by the great spectacle of the Migration as the action focuses on the river crossings.
The Mara Predator Project This ongoing research project based in the Mara North Conservancy is about to expand to Olare Orok Conservancy and Naboisho. The Mara Predator Project is a long term effort to monitor lion populations north of the Masai Mara National Reserve with the participation of the tourism industry. Lodge guides identify known lions during regular game drives and submit reports and identification photographs. Guests are also encouraged to participate by submitting sightings and photographs to a central, publicly accessible database.
Well-trained guides can accurately identify individual lions encountered on game drives and submit accurate reports. Between June and November 2010, 39 adult and subadult lions were identified on the Mara North and Lemek Conservancy areas, although the actual number is likely to be around 45 as some lions are known to exist outstide the study area. Kicheche have already started to involve guests in this project adding a new dimension to game drives.
Kicheche Laikipia Camp
Again, guests have had phenomenal wildlife sightings including regular encounters with Wild Dogs. Despite it being summer it is noticeably colder in the mornings than winter! If you have guests travelling in the next few weeks please advise that they should pack appropriate warm clothing for these early morning chills.
Spot of the Week
Kicheche's weekly newsletter, full of amusing observations, is a regular report of the exceptional game viewing at the Kicheche camps. The newsletter contains regular updates of important changes at the camps and follows the antics of many of the frequently spotted wildlife allowing a mini-soap to be played out each week. Make sure you aren't missing out by signing up here: www.kicheche.com
December 2010
2011 Plans
Kicheche has a number of changes and additions planned for 2011. For a full explanation of what is happening take a look at this fact sheet.
Kicheche 2011 Plans
Estimated Size: 70kb
October 2010
The ongoing Mara Migration - herd about it?
There is a late 'Indian' migration going on in the Masai Mara. Heavy rain showers have convinced most of the herds not to abandon their Kenyan stronghold and thousands remain. The weather is settling down, the predators are as excited about the slow exodus as the few tourists. Both the Serengeti and Loita herds are still in attendance minus the bulk of seasonal human migration watchers. This provides a unique opportunity which has not been lost on Kicheche's guides, one of whom commented 'I cannot believe how much is left, it has been the best migration in years but appears to be a gift that keeps on giving.’
Kicheche is providing some excellent late offers for those who want to catch this incredible phenomonen and enjoy some extra days on safari for free.
For further details and bookings please contact: sales@kicheche.com
May 2010
One of the rarer sights in Africa was captured on film by a Kicheche guide and the full story taken from BBC Wildlife Magazine is attached.
kicheche bbc wildlife magazine
Estimated Size: 2 MB
February 2010
Kicheche - ResRequest
Please note that Kicheche will no longer be sending out their availability sheets. All availaibilty is accessed through their link onResRequest
Kicheche Laikipia Camp
Here is the latest update from the Ol Pejeta Conservancy on the progress of the breeding programme for the critically endangered Northern White Rhino. Kicheche's 6 night Conservancy Safari enables guests to see the Conservancy's essential environmental work for themselves.
'An Update on the Northern White Rhinos – Big Step for the Girls' from Ol Pejeta Conservancy
'On Wednesday, February 3rd, the two female northern white rhinos – Najin and Fatu – took their first steps into the 400 x 400 meter fenced enclosure on the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. This really was their “first taste of Africa!” Until today, they were kept within the confines of their holding pen, with limited daily access to a 50 x 50 meter fence training area. We would have loved to see these animals out a lot quicker but it has been necessary that all four of them had sufficient time to adapt to their new surroundings and learn to respect the electric fence.
All of us observing Fatu and Najin today, realised, with great delight, that we are dealing with two completely different animals to those that stepped out of their boxes a mere month and a half ago. The single biggest change has been in the behaviour of Najin’s daughter, Fatu. Until today, she was always nervous and a bit on edge and never really put big distances between herself and her mother.
Her behaviour in the larger enclosure has assured us that we are on the road to success. Both females went straight for the grazing areas and then quickly took a long mud bath. Although you would expect these animals to rest up in the shade through the mid-day heat, both were continuously exploring what will become home for the next month and a half, before they are put into the even larger and final breeding areas.
The girls took their big first step into the larger enclosure today. This included mud baths and a lot of exploring. The two males – Sudan and Suni – will both get access to this area over the coming days. We will start with Sudan, hopefully getting him out on Thursday, 4th February. Suni, who is more nervous than Sudan, will be last to have access. But all animals will eventually have daily excursions to the larger area.
This success today left no doubt in our minds, that everyone supporting this project is doing the right thing and that moving the animals from the Czech Republic was the right decision to make.'
January 2010
Four of the World's Last Known Eight Northern White Rhinos Come Home to Africa
The Ol Pejeta Conservancy received a very special Christmas present this year. Four of the last eight known northern white rhinos have been relocated from captivity back to the wild in a last bid to save them from extinction. The species is believed to be extinct in the wild.
The animals have been moved from the Dvur Kralove Zoo in the Czech Republic. The two females and two males, transferred by air to Nairobi, and by road to Ol Pejeta, are charged with the responsibility to pull back this species from the brink of extinction in a project dubbed 'Last Chance to Survive', a joint effort by the Dvur Králové Zoo, Fauna & Flora International, Back to Africa, the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
Currently listed as the most critically endangered rhino subspecies and the most endangered mammal species in the world, the northern white rhinos used to range over parts of Uganda, Chad, Sudan, Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo. By 1960, more than 2,000 northern white rhinos still existed, but excessive poaching for their horn has decimated the species.
The reintroduction of these four northern white rhinos to Africa presents what may very well be the last chance to save their genes.
The Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya, has been identified as the location with the most suitable habitat, climate, security and infrastructure to give the rhinos their best, and probably last chance of breeding successfully. Not only is this testament to Kenya's commitment to rhino conservation and to Ol Pejeta's sucess as a rhino sanctuary, but highlights Ol Pejeta as a must-see destination for anyone wanting to support the preservation of such a precious species.
Kicheche Community Trust
This is going to be a busy year for the the Kicheche Community Trust, you can read about their work with two new orphanage projects here:
Kicheche Community Trust 2010
Estimated Size: 150kb
December 2009
If you need a quick safari fix, Kenya is impossible to beat. If you need a quick Kicheche safari fix, then take a look at the superb 6 Day Conservancy Safari which combines endangered species like Black Rhino in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy with the private Mara of the Olare Orok Conservancy. Regardless of how much time your clients have spent in Africa, these two intimate tented camps deliver a world-class safari. The guides and managers at the Kicheche Camps really are quite special which accounts for the fact that the only serious competition for Kicheche Bush Camp’s top slot on Trip Advisor is Kicheche Mara Camp!
Now, returning to the theme of wildlife documentaries for a moment. Everyone who has spent some time on safari knows that the collages of predator/prey interaction which fill an hour of the latest license payer's Africa special, probably took a team of cameramen and their trackers a year to compile. Watching a hunt from start to finish is the safari grail. Lions provide the most obvious entertainment with endless stalks ranging from the brutal to high comedy. Cheetah are a good bet on the Mara’s plains only if your guide knows his resident cats and the terrain well - note to photographers, always focus on the prey. I won’t even mention the wacky races required to follow a serious Wild Dog hunt. The leopard though is off the menu for hunting, it’s amazing enough just to catch a fleeting view of the prince of stealth and exciting to pick over the crime scene the morning after while your guide attempts to piece the hunt back together, limb by limb.
Imagine if you had the ridiculous good fortune to be with a guide who was familiar with his territory to the point of considering a leopard hunt to be a viable option, not in the small hours of the morning but in broad daylight and an easy jaunt from camp. This client's willingness to quietly wait it out whilst the rest of the Mara headed back home for breakfast, paid him and his family back in spades. Take a look at this footage, consider the prey choice, the time of day, the equal measures of luck and planning (for both predator and guide) and then take another look. Racing around the Mara simply spotting the primary species will never deliver a sighting like this and Kicheche guides know that one sighting like this is worth staying out all day and more if needed.
September 2009
Kicheche Laikipia Camp
Following reports of a recent isolated incident involving a civilian charter plane in the Laikipia region of Kenya, we would like to assure you and your clients that travelling to Kicheche's Laikipia Camp is SAFE.
The north of Kenya from Samburu/Shaba upwards is suffering due to the extended drought which has led to a lot of movement by nomadic herdsman. This in turn has caused occasional conflict between pastoralists.
The recently reported incident took place in the far north west of Laikipia, a long way from Ol Pejeta Conservancy and Kicheche's Laikipia Camp which are in the south east. Ol Pejeta Conservancy is mostly Kikuyu with very few nomadic herdsman. The Ol Pejeta / Nanyuki area has therefore been completely peaceful throughout the drought. Ol Pejeta has its own cattle and does not allow outside grazers in; however it offers a lot of assistance to the community in breeding, vet care etc.
The Ol Pejeta Conservancy is very safe with good security in place in order to protect its precious rhino population. Your guests will be visiting a SECURE PEACEFUL AREA.
If you have any questions on this please contact us on 01285 658 267
Rainfall, fresh grass and lion cubs at Kicheche Laikipia Camp
Camp Manager Andy Webb reports that some local rain has finally fallen to lessen the oppressively dry conditions prevailing in much of Kenya.
Although the Laikipia Region has not struggled quite as much as others, Andy was very happy to get two decent showers at camp this week. This has been enough to add fresh greenery to the landscape and the resident wildlife take a daily survey of the camp dam in anticipation of the good times to come. Ol Pejeta Conservancy is fortunate to have an area of marsh which provides valuable food and water for resident game outside of the rainy season.
As usual, the predators have made the most of the dry conditions and the Ol Pejeta lion population has produced a good number of cubs to capitalise on the easy prey. Andy explains that the game viewing has been very consistent throughout the last couple of months.
You can see a Kicheche slideshow on our website - just create your own user name and password for access.
Visit the Kicheche Laikipia Camp site here.
July 2009
I am the first to admit that we are a little spoilt when it comes to the quality of wildlife sightings produced by Kicheche Bush and Mara Camps. They consistently amaze with predator tales worthy of any Big Cat Diary final edit. The attached photograph taken 300 metres from Kicheche Bush Camp confirms that in the Olare Orok Conservancy, cats really do grow on trees. There has never been a need to supplement newsletters with details of new soft furnishings or the recipe for Sonya's peanut butter soup (which is excellent by the way).
Yet, the real pleasure of the year has been the steady trickle of wildlife news from Andy Webb at Kicheche Laikipia Camp. A brand new camp in the middle of a concession which has had very little in the way of past sightings recorded is basically a blank sheet from a guides perspective. Andy and his team have broken new walking trails and driven the back roads whilst starting to build a range map of the resident wildlife. It has been gratifying to see that sightings are going from good, to great to the occasional unbelievable. Confirming not only that the wildlife was there all along but also that Kicheche's guides are getting dialled in to where and when the sightings are likely to be best.
One drive in early July notched up eight cheetahs in half an hour, that is a head count that would be hard to beat anywhere on the continent. The first leopard sighting that Andy reported was straight out of the X-files as the prey he found the cat eating was a coypu which is a larger semi-aquatic rodent originally native to South America. They were introduced to Mount Kenya by a fur rancher in the 1940's and the leopard was happily assisting in the eradication of the invading species. Aside from the more common predators, Andy has also been lucky to see African wild cat, striped hyena and aardwolf. In short, the game drives and walks in the shadow of Mount Kenya have been far from ordinary.
May 2009
Kicheche Laikipia Camp, the new kid on the block – an update from the old kids Andy
and Sonja.
The challenge to get the camp up and running by the first of December was at times a little hair-raising. Rains in the early part of November made set-up challenging and added to this on two occasions we had a tent flood- so little was from the building textbook. Living in gumboots, weighed down with sticky, black cotton soil, the staff mostly from the Mara, put their heads down and completed the tasks with impunity. With the added pleasure of being able to offer a hot and cold running shower, we opened our tent flaps on the 1st December 2008 above our waterhole.
There are few pleasures that match lazing in hammocks after lunch watching elephants enjoying rolling in a mud bath. Along with the elephants who can be very protective of "their" 'local',
we watched buffalo, gazelles, zebra, giraffes, eland, bush buck and at the moment we have an endemic Chandler's Reed Buck making the camp its home. We were also privileged one afternoon to watch a female black rhino and her calf come down to the water hole for a drink. And on another the local lion pride waited above the dam for the buffalo to arrive.
WEATHER
The rains have been lacking since December and the Conservancy is looking very dry. This has been a bonus in a sense as in the early mornings the steel grey face of Mount Kenya is clear and as the sun rises, it fills the sky with rivers of red lava behind Batian Peak.
GAME AND GAME DRIVES
Our resident senior silver guide, Charles Wandero, is Kicheche Laikipia Camps’ self proclaimed Cheetah man! He told us one day after having operated in the conservancy for about ten days that 'not three days will not go by without me finding cheetah for my guests'. Anyway, true to his word, all our guests that have enjoyed the three night itinerary at Laikipia Camp have seen at least three cheetahs and those that left recently managed a bag of seven!
Having only received a meagre 41mm of rain since we opened in December things are dry and game is concentrated on diminishing food and water supplies. This makes it easier for the predators and our resident lions and cheetah mums are making the most of it. To date we have seen three mother cheetah with two to four cubs plus the resident trio of spectacular males that we call 'The Three Boys'.
Lions around the camp area number about a dozen with two magnificent males visiting the local lionesses during honeymoon time and serenading us with their calls throughthe night. This bodes well in regard of cubs for the opening in June.
Experiments with our new lion tracking system have proved to be very rewarding and guests have enjoyed getting involved with this. This information is then given to the Ol Pejeta Predator Survey team to add to their already considerable knowledge of the development of the predators in the conservancy.
Night drives have also produced some interesting results with one drive chalking up a striped hyena and an aardvark, along with the more often seen white-tailed mongoose, lesser galago and
spotted hyena.
Rhinos feature high on the ‘want to see’ agenda and despite the fact that the black rhino are ostensibly nocturnal animals, they are still often encountered in the early morning and late afternoon. We are delighted that there is a growing number of white and black calves being produced as the conservancy matures and the rhinos settle.
BIRDS
In the past three months our waterhole has produced most of the East African guide book’s inventory. A resident pair of crowned cranes has graced us with their presence since we moved in and their calls pierce the early morning mists off the water.
Other birds of note that have been regular visitors are two pairs of Pelicans, numerous Hammer-kops, Grey and Black Headed Herons, Yellow billed Ducks, Red Billed Teal, the ubiquitous Egyptian Geese and many more wading birds.
As the past rainy season didn’t produce much run off, the water level has remained, fortunately the long rains are nigh and, with some luck, this year we will get enough inflow to last through the dry season. Returning Eurasian migrant birds have been plentiful in the last month
with many harriers, eagles, warblers, flycatchers, blackcaps, cuckoos, nightjars and the like passing through.
Nesting birds in the one tree that stood in the water for a few months included an absolute buzz of yellow weavers, a pair of Hadeda Ibis and a pair of Green Backed Herons. All successfully reared their young. Another amazing site early morning is the king of the extended bustard
family, the kori, standing high puffing his neck out in territorial displays.
We have ordered, and will soon be taking delivery of, a new Spotting Scope that will be mounted outside the dining-room tent. This promises to give us excellent views of the many birds, and animals, that visit our waterhole on a daily basis.
April 2009
The only thing that fails to make sense about the pioneering Olare Orok Conservancy and the private 30,000 acres of prime wildlife habitat it represents is - why wouldn’t every single visitor to the Masai Mara stay there? There are a number of possible answers which range from the deliberately limited number of guest tents allowed, currently each tent in the Olare Orok has around 700 acres to explore, or perhaps a misunderstanding that the higher densities of tourists are actually inside the neighbouring Mara National Reserve, or maybe some people really do like zebra striped mini buses?
When Brian Jackman was describing his stay at ‘the smartest address in the Mara,’ in the Telegraph, this is what he had to say about the Bush Camp. ‘What you get here is an authentic taste of exclusive Africa. Hidden among acacia glades, this is a purists’ camp and its luxuries - spacious tents with en suite bathrooms and bags of space for clothes - in no way detract from the essential wilderness experience. When I was there we had elephants and buffaloes wandering past every day and lions roaring every night.’
The conservancy concept is well established in other parts of Africa but in Kenya the Olare Orok is a genuine local success story. Simply put, no one individual profits from the Olare Orok Conservancy. The project benefits the local Masai communities and it optimizes wildlife viewing.
Of special interest to our industry is the Koiyaki Guiding School which is supported by Kicheche Bush Camp. Established to raise the general standards of guiding in the tourism industry in the Masai Mara and as well as safari guides, the school runs courses in wildlife management, including land usage compatible with wildlife and cultural tourism.
If you would like to learn more about the Kicheche Bush Camp experience then please book a meeting with the owner Greg Monson at Indaba. Kicheche Bush Camp can be found at the ATTA stand - ODG002.
April 2009
Our recent fam trip to Kenya was a great success with participants having the chance to spend time at all three Kicheche camps, meeting the Kicheche people, sampling the activities, wonderful food and hospitality.
Positive feedback is always nice but it is especially welcome when the comments come from seasoned safari veterans who aren't easily impressed 'The highlight of my trip to Kenya was the phenomenal abundance and variety of game on the beautiful drive from Kicheche Mara Camp to Kicheche Bush Camp - it was more a case of what didn’t we see! The landscape, empty of vehicles (most of the time anyway!), was just stunning and to then arrive at the remoteness of Kicheche Bush Camp, I was in heaven.'
Rave reviews of Kicheche are not just voiced by professional tour operators; guest's ratings now mean that Kicheche Mara Camp is rated 1st and Kicheche Bush Camp is rated 6th of 54 camps in the Mara on Trip Advisor. Impressive considering the Mara Camp has been top ranked for well over a year.
February 2009
The Ol Pejeta Conservancy is thrilled to announce the births of two black rhino calves on the conservancy which occurred within a period of eight days of each other in January! The first calf was discovered on the 4th of January, just moments after birth. The second of the new calves was sighted on the 16th of January, and was believed to be about 3 days old.
The Ol Pejeta Conservancy is East Africa’s Largest Black Rhino Sanctuary. While the two new births brought the Conservancy’s population to 80, we sadly lost one male, Jama, to old-age related complications on the 21st of January, bringing the number down to 79.
Kicheche Laikipia Camp is running an introductory offer for the duration of 2009, please click here for details.
