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Kicheche Bush Camp
Kicheche Bush Camp
Kicheche Bush Camp
Kicheche Bush Camp
Kicheche Bush Camp
Kicheche Bush Camp
Kicheche Bush Camp
Kicheche Bush Camp
Kicheche Bush Camp
Kicheche Bush Camp

Reviews of Kicheche Bush Camp

Wildlife sightings and reviews

98 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Kicheche Bush Camp and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa

Wildlife sightings by our travellers
Starting in Feb-2019, 67 of our travellers have recorded their wildlife sightings at Kicheche Bush Camp.
Lion

100% success

Leopard

89% success

Cheetah

88% success

Wild dog

4% success

Buffalo

100% success

Elephant

100% success

Giraffe

100% success

Zebra

100% success

Spotted Hyena

98% success

Wildebeest

97% success

Hippo

97% success

Eland

85% success

Striped Hyena

9% success

Black Rhino

4% success

Pangolin

2% success

Aardvark

0% success

Showing 51-60 of 98
Duration
Arrival date
Steve H
Cumbria

"Kicheche Bush Camp review"

2 nights Arrived 3 Feb 2022
"Another great stay at Kicheche Bush Camp, meeting many old friends from previous stays.

My final stay with long term camp hosts Darren and Emma before their departure on a new venture and I wish them all the best for the future. Charles is a great driver/guide who found fantastic wildlife and photographic opportunities.

Catering and camp staff generally superb as always." See all these reviews: 10n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Buffalo

10 sightings

Cheetah

5 sightings

Eland

10 sightings

Elephant

10 sightings

Giraffe

10 sightings

Hippo

10 sightings

Leopard

3 sightings

Lion

10 sightings

Spotted Hyena

10 sightings

Wildebeest

10 sightings

Zebra

10 sightings

Annabel
Somerset

"Kicheche Bush Camp review"

4 nights Arrived 28 Jan 2022
"This is a really good camp with top class management, house staff and guides. It's not in the prettiest area but it is right out on its own in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy, so its six guest tents and two mess tents really make you feel you're in the middle of nowhere although in very safe hands. Animals regularly wander into camp, especially at night, (lion, hippo and elephant whilst I was there), and there are almost always giraffe and zebra browsing the surrounding woodland.

The food was good, homely fare with some choice at lunch and more of a set (and posher) menu at dinner. Meals were usually eaten at one big table - outside at lunch, inside at dinner although you can opt to eat separately if you prefer.

The room was very comfortable with great wi-fi and lots of sockets to charge camera batteries, iPads etc. There are also newly installed 'proper' showers, rather than the bucket shower I was expecting (and secretly looking forward to).

I saw amazing wildlife - including cheetah, lion and leopard - far more often and in greater quantities than I'd imagined possible.

My only criticism would be that things sometimes felt a bit too organised. Safaris are tiring and a bombardment on the senses. I had one day when four things happened all at once - a drive to the other side of the conservancy for my PCR test, a sighting of two adolescent cheetah cubs being taught how to hunt, i.e: teasing a week-old impala fawn that was bleating for its mother, elephants outside my tent so I couldn't go to bed and then very heavy overnight rain. All good safari experiences. No complaints there, but when my tea arrived at 5 am next day, I decided I wouldn't go on that morning's drive but would try to catch up on sleep. At 7 I felt much better. It was light by then but still raining, so I used the thoughtful wellies and umbrella from my tent, ignored the distant lion roars and squelched my way to the mess tent to find some tea.

I didn't know there was never anyone there until 8 am. The place was deserted and I felt a bit abandoned and frankly, scared. I returned to my tent and blew the 'emergency' whistle. Nothing. I waited fifteen minutes and squelched back to the mess tent, then wandered down the path that I thought led to the staff tents. Blew the whistle again and the manager screeched to a halt beside me in his Jeep, clearly concerned that something dreadful had happened.

I did get breakfast but was told 'no one has ever missed a drive' (which I now know to be untrue), then left to my own devices until lunch at 1 pm. No suggestion that I might like to go for a walk with one of the staff (although I did do exactly that when a buffalo and her calf shot across the main pathway and William, who was serving breakfast, said it was being chased by a lion and he'd seen the start of the chase whilst having his tea. Lions won't come into camp in daylight, even for a buffalo calf, so William then took me fifty meters and still well within the camp boundary to point out where the lion had been).

I've written about this incident with the encouragement of Richard Trillo and because I hope Kicheche will put a contingency in place for any future guests who might decide to catch up on sleep. All that was needed was for someone to acknowledge me, stick a note through the door of my tent to say they hoped I was feeling better, and mention that the mess tent wouldn't be open until 8, after which I'd be welcomed for tea/breakfast.

Other than that one small incident, I loved my time at Kicheche Bush Camp and would definitely return were I not so intent on first visiting their Laikipia and Mara camps." See all these reviews: 7n in Kenya; 2n in Zanzibar
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Buffalo

10 sightings

Cheetah

6 sightings

Eland

3 sightings

Elephant

3 sightings

Giraffe

10 sightings

Hippo

2 sightings

Leopard

4 sightings

Lion

8 sightings

Spotted Hyena

7 sightings

Wildebeest

10 sightings

Zebra

10 sightings

Mr V
Texas

"Kicheche Bush Camp review"

5 nights Arrived 25 Jan 2022
"As with Kicheche Mara, this was our third stay at Kicheche Bush. Although it’s the least picturesque of all the Kicheche camps, the Olare-Motorogi Conservancy in which it is situated typically produces memorable sightings.

In our experience, this camp has drawn a high percentage of experienced safari enthusiasts, due, in no small part, to the efforts of its well-regarded longtime managers, Darren and Emma, who, sadly, are leaving to pursue another opportunity. We were grateful to see them once more before they embark on their new adventure. The fact that we ran into other repeat visitors (now friends) that we knew from our previous stays here should illustrate the loyal following that this camp has engendered over the years.

The guides here have all been with this property for multiple years, as well, and they are experts in their field. Our guide, Nelson, was very dedicated and extremely personable." See all these reviews: 17n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Buffalo

Multiple sightings

Cheetah

Multiple sightings

Eland

Multiple sightings

Elephant

Multiple sightings

Giraffe

Multiple sightings

Hippo

1 sighting

Leopard

Multiple sightings

Lion

Multiple sightings

Spotted Hyena

Multiple sightings

Wildebeest

Multiple sightings

Zebra

Multiple sightings

Dr W & Dr D
Leeds

"Kicheche Bush Camp review"

5 nights Arrived 17 Jan 2022
"Kicheche Bush Camp is renowned for its excellent guides and the amazing wild life, particularly large cats. As always, it did not disappoint!

The tents are large and comfortable with charging facilities and solar-heated warm water showers. The staff are attentive and efficient, and the food is very good.

If wildlife viewing is your number one priority, this is definitely the camp to go to." See all these reviews: 15n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Sightings Report

Buffalo

10 sightings

Cheetah

10 sightings

Eland

3 sightings

Elephant

10 sightings

Giraffe

10 sightings

Hippo

10 sightings

Leopard

6 sightings

Lion

10 sightings

Spotted Hyena

10 sightings

Wildebeest

10 sightings

Zebra

10 sightings

Ms A.
London

"Kicheche Bush Camp review"

2 nights Arrived 19 Dec 2021
"Again all wonderful - so open to the bush with great game and an excellent guide." See all these reviews: 9n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Buffalo

10 sightings

Cheetah

6 sightings

Elephant

10 sightings

Giraffe

10 sightings

Hippo

10 sightings

Leopard

2 sightings

Lion

10 sightings

Spotted Hyena

10 sightings

Wildebeest

10 sightings

Zebra

10 sightings

Lola
Canada

"Kicheche Bush Camp review"

4 nights Arrived 6 Nov 2021
"Great camp. Great guides.

I do miss the old classic breakfasts Kicheche used to serve.

Things are a little more "fancy" now. :-)" See all these reviews: 12n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Buffalo

Multiple sightings

Cheetah

Multiple sightings

Eland

Multiple sightings

Elephant

Multiple sightings

Giraffe

Multiple sightings

Hippo

Multiple sightings

Leopard

Multiple sightings

Lion

Multiple sightings

Spotted Hyena

Multiple sightings

Wildebeest

Multiple sightings

Zebra

Multiple sightings

Mr & Mrs S
Kingston

"Kicheche Bush Camp review"

5 nights Arrived 13 Oct 2021
"A really friendly, thoroughly professional set up with great location, guiding, accommodation, food etc.
Pragmatic and reassuring Covid protocols." See all these reviews: 11n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Buffalo

Multiple sightings

Cheetah

Multiple sightings

Elephant

Multiple sightings

Giraffe

Multiple sightings

Leopard

Multiple sightings

Lion

Multiple sightings

Spotted Hyena

Multiple sightings

Wildebeest

Multiple sightings

Zebra

Multiple sightings

Mrs. K
Minnesota

"Kicheche Bush Camp review"

2 nights Arrived 14 Aug 2021
"We adored Kicheche Bush Camp - it was our favorite on safari. We were so sad to only be there 2 nights. The hosts Darren and Emma were lovely people, and it was such a pleasure to be welcomed by them and to get to know them a little bit. The camp was gorgeous and exactly what you want for a bush camp. It was in the bush but it was cozy and comfy! What most stands out though was the food! Kicheche knows how to put on a meal. Everything we ate was so delicious and our bush meals were the best we had on our entire safari. We still think about our breakfasts out in the bush!

Our game drives out of Kicheche were the best we had, and a large part of that was due to the incredibly knowledgeable guides we had. While at Kicheche, we did a bush walk and "camped out" one night. It was FUN! Mika took us on our bush walk and was with us for our full day game drive the next day. He was phenomonal as a guide! The man is so deeply knowledgeable about the land and the animals and people living on it. Since our visit to Kicheche was our first stop on our safari (and our first safari) we didn't realize what a blessing Mika was right away - but he ended up being our favorite guide of our entire trip.

My husband and I still talk about the things we learned from him. Mika is silver qualified, and if you have the chance to be guided by him - enjoy it! Because we took our safari during 2021 (Covid travel) we were fortunate enough to have our guides all to ourself while at Kicheche. The Masaii Mara is one of the most beautiful places you'll ever visit, and it was filled with all the animals you expect to see. If you're looking for lions, there are A LOT of them here!

Another cool thing to note - Kicheche regularly hosts photographers. As a result, their guides are known for being able to help set up shots correctly with proper lighting etc. Many of the guides are also into photography on their own time as well. If you're really interested in the photography aspect of safari, this is a great camp to be at." See all these reviews: 7n in Tanzania; 5n in Zanzibar; 5n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Buffalo

Multiple sightings

Elephant

Multiple sightings

Giraffe

Multiple sightings

Lion

Multiple sightings

Spotted Hyena

Multiple sightings

Wildebeest

Multiple sightings

Zebra

Multiple sightings

Ms H
Maida Vale

"Kicheche Bush Camp review"

30 nights Arrived 24 Jan 2021
"KBC remains a favourite. A 2 week trip turned into something quite a lot longer (why rush back to lock down UK when I was free in the Africa wilderness?) and the staff couldn’t have been more helpful and welcoming. All Covid protocols handled well but without “intruding”. Highly recommended" See all these reviews: 56n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Ms H
Maida Vale

"Simply wonderful "

8 nights Arrived 26 Oct 2020
"After over 40 trips to Africa this camp goes into my top 5 places to stay.

Travel in the time of Covid is possible - with a little more planning and paperwork but rich rewards are waiting.

If you are considering a trip to Kenya don’t miss this gem." See all these reviews: 9n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Buffalo

Multiple sightings

Cheetah

Multiple sightings

Eland

Multiple sightings

Elephant

Multiple sightings

Giraffe

Multiple sightings

Hippo

Multiple sightings

Leopard

Multiple sightings

Lion

Multiple sightings

Spotted Hyena

Multiple sightings

Wildebeest

Multiple sightings

Zebra

Multiple sightings

Showing 51-60 of 98
100%
98 reviews of Kicheche Bush Camp by travellers since August 2007
Overall rating by our travellers
96
2
0
0
0
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