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Kicheche Mara
Kicheche Mara
Kicheche Mara
Kicheche Mara
Kicheche Mara
Kicheche Mara
Kicheche Mara
Kicheche Mara
Kicheche Mara
Kicheche Mara
Kicheche Mara
Kicheche Mara
Kicheche Mara
Kicheche Mara
Kicheche Mara
Kicheche Mara

Reviews of Kicheche Mara

Wildlife sightings and reviews

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

Wildlife sightings by our travellers
Starting in Aug-2018, 59 of our travellers have recorded their wildlife sightings at Kicheche Mara.
Lion

100% success

Leopard

64% success

Cheetah

90% success

Wild dog

4% success

Buffalo

100% success

Elephant

100% success

Giraffe

100% success

Hippo

100% success

Spotted Hyena

100% success

Wildebeest

100% success

Zebra

100% success

Eland

93% success

Striped Hyena

7% success

Black Rhino

6% success

Aardvark

0% success

Pangolin

0% success

Showing 21-30 of 86
Duration
Arrival date
Mrs J.
USA

"Kicheche Mara review"

3 nights Arrived 9 Jul 2023
"Staff at the camp and our guides were knowledgeable, friendly and attentive. Our guides David and Seroni were exceptional. The food was 5 stars." See all these reviews: 12n 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

Lion

Multiple sightings

Spotted Hyena

Multiple sightings

Wildebeest

Multiple sightings

Zebra

Multiple sightings

Annabel
Somerset

"Kicheche Mara review"

3 nights Arrived 20 Jun 2023
"This is one of four Kicheche Camps and the third I’ve stayed in. It borders the Maasai Mara Reserve but is in the Mara North conservancy, which means it has masses of animals but none of the traffic you get in the reserve. It’s also fairly near the Mara River, which I’d always wanted to see, and did see, along with its hippos and crocodiles.

The drive to camp should be around 30 minutes from the airstrip - mine took longer because we stopped, firstly to watch a leopard in a tree, and climbing down it, and then, just outside camp, to watch the Acacia pride of lions dozing in the sun. I also saw buffalo and elephant on that drive, so four of the available big five, if that’s what floats your boat, before I’d even got to camp (there are no rhino in Mara North).

All Kicheche camps have wonderful guides. At Mara, mine was David, a Maasai so in tune with his environment he seems to know every rock, pebble and blade of grass. He also has binoculars for eyes.

The camp is bigger than the other Kicheches and appears to have almost double the guest capacity. The tents are spread out in a really pretty area next to a stream but they (or at least mine - Zebra) are not as secluded as at the other camps, so I could hear conversations from both tents either side of me. There’s plenty of wildlife right on the doorstep. Mating hippos, hyena, leopard and lion were all seen or heard, buffalo walked past my tent every night, and there were bushbuck and vervet monkeys during the day.

There has been a massive makeover of the guest tents and they are very swish. Mine was huge, with a double bed and a day bed, desk and wardrobe area and a curtained bathroom with double basins, separate shower and loo; all singing and dancing. There’s even washing powder, a line and pegs. No full length mirror, strangely, and the wardrobe area is very dark for getting dressed before dawn. This new poshness took me a while to absorb. I love the ‘old’ Kicheche branding with its rather rustic, colonial feel and unlined tents. Maybe colonial’s not the done thing any more, but it was done well. This new look is a bit ‘could be anywhere’ and, whilst I can’t deny the comfort, I worry slightly that the wafty cream curtains and pale rugs will tire very quickly. Still, that’s not my problem, and for the moment the tents look fresh and beautiful.

The mess tent has a couple of seating areas with big sofas and an area for dining. Lunch was taken outside on a deck overlooking the lawn. Some people seem to expect a lot of the food on safari. I don’t. I just want it to be fresh, balanced and well thought out, which this is.

I missed the communal table I’d enjoyed at Kicheche Bush camp the previous year. I don’t mind eating alone - rather that than be ‘paired up’ with other guests not of my choice (and vice-versa), for three meals in a row. As the third one loomed I asked if I could have dinner in my room. True, it was my last night and I needed to pack, but it was a relief to have that excuse and I really enjoyed that time - alone with my pasta and glass of red.

I found Kicheche Mara less cosy and strangely less 'genuine' than the other two Kicheches I’ve stayed at (Laikipia and Bush) but it has great service with fantastic wildlife and the right guides to find it." See all these reviews: 10n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

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

Buffalo

10 sightings

Cheetah

Multiple sightings

Eland

10 sightings

Elephant

10 sightings

Giraffe

10 sightings

Hippo

10 sightings

Leopard

2 sightings

Lion

6 sightings

Spotted Hyena

10 sightings

Wildebeest

10 sightings

Zebra

10 sightings

Mrs C.
California

"Kicheche Mara review"

4 nights Arrived 2 Mar 2023
"Another wonderful camp. Much greener and a little cooler than Bush camp. Excellent service, food and accommodation.

A fire pit and drinks every night on the return from our drives. Sammy was always there to meet us with his big smile.

Our guides, Saruni and George were so informative and fun! Breakfast at the hippo pool was a real highlight here.

I wish I could remember the name of our hostess here :-( She was absolutely fabulous in every way." See all these reviews: 11n 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

4 sightings

Eland

6 sightings

Elephant

10 sightings

Giraffe

10 sightings

Hippo

10 sightings

Leopard

4 sightings

Lion

8 sightings

Striped Hyena

6 sightings

Wildebeest

10 sightings

Zebra

10 sightings

Ms J.
USA

"Kicheche Mara review"

4 nights Arrived 2 Mar 2023
"The accommodations were excellent as was the food.

I did witness an exchange between the asst manager, Rachel, and one of my traveling companions that was a bit troubling. The companion's passport had gotten wet and Rachel repeatedly requested the passport so she could dry it out. The companion politely refused MULTIPLE (many) times and later said that she was very uncomfortable with the exchange." See all these reviews: 11n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Ms M.
Canada

"Kicheche Mara review"

4 nights Arrived 2 Mar 2023
"Another amazing camp." See all these reviews: 11n 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

MBG
Tucson

"Kicheche Mara review"

4 nights Arrived 2 Mar 2023
"the tour of back of house was nice.

beautiful atmosphere" See all these reviews: 14n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Ms K.
USA

"Kicheche Mara review"

4 nights Arrived 2 Mar 2023
"Kicheche Mara was disappointing after Kicheche Bush camp, mainly due to the camp leadership (Rachel) and the game drive guides. The tent was lovely and the land was lovely but I would not go back. I had an awkward encounter with Rachel. I had given her my passport, other valuables to hold in the pouch and when I got it back from her, my passport was horribly bent and I was really worried. The pages were damp so I could tell it was due to moisture and asked her where it had been kept and she said "in a safe". I didn't know how that could be with the condition it was in. I let her know that it was completely like new when I gave it to her and I was upset at the condition she returned it in. All of the pages were flared and it would not close all the way.

Since I had never been out of the country before except for a drive into Canada, it was brand new and I was worried about it being accepted in the condition it was in and it made me really nervous. She said she would take it back and try and fix it and I said no thank you - I really didn't want to let go of it again. She kept insisting - this is the conversation Jane overheard that really bothered her. It bothered me some, but not as much as the next one.

Finally, Rachel relented and said she'd bring a book to my tent so I could put the passport under it. Later that day when I saw her she had the book. I said "thank you" and reached out to take it and she said that she would come to the cabin with me and help. I said it wasn't necessary but she insisted so I relented. At the cabin, I told her I was perfectly fine doing this myself and thanked her for the book. She said "no, no, I'll come in and help you". I said that that wasn't necessary and the book was help enough. She kept insisting on coming in to the point that I had to be ruder than I was comfortable with and repeat again, more sternly, that I was more comfortable doing it myself. She kind of went off in a huff.

This conversation made me really uncomfortable. It was ridiculous that she couldn't read the social cues better to know when to let go and leave.

Otherwise, honestly, I felt Rachel was fine during the rest of our stay." See all these reviews: 11n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Average
Activities:
Average
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Average
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

Striped Hyena

Multiple sightings

Wildebeest

Multiple sightings

Zebra

Multiple sightings

Lola
Canada

"Kicheche Mara review"

4 nights Arrived 2 Mar 2023
"The camp is getting too large in my opinion. The conservancy is also much busier and there were two sightings with 8-9 trucks circling in and out. I hope the camp does not expand further.

Once again, the radio use in the trucks was a complete distraction. I must have asked to have it turned down at least 10 times. It is by far the worst camp I have been to in this regard. Constant noise. Why not get headsets for the guides who like to be on the radio a lot?

Andrew is doing a great job with the camp. It looks better than it ever has-albeit large. But he is carving out lots of small spaces for folks to hang out. The new tents will be a great addition." See all these reviews: 11n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good

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

Buffalo

Multiple sightings

Cheetah

1 sighting

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

Dr W & Dr D
Leeds

"Kicheche Mara review"

7 nights Arrived 26 Jan 2023
"This is our favourite safari camp of anywhere in the world and it never disappoints.

Since our visit last year the camp has been upgraded with some new tents which are very large and very comfortable." See all these reviews: 13n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

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

Buffalo

10 sightings

Cheetah

4 sightings

Eland

10 sightings

Elephant

10 sightings

Giraffe

10 sightings

Hippo

8 sightings

Leopard

5 sightings

Lion

10 sightings

Spotted Hyena

10 sightings

Wildebeest

10 sightings

Zebra

10 sightings

Mr & Mrs B.
Canada

"Kicheche Mara review"

4 nights Arrived 5 Nov 2022
"Wonderful camp and location. Views from the tents are captivating, and the camp being spread out provided a nice sense of openness. Food and accommodations also met our expectations.

A bit sensitive, but we didn't like that the camp manager, "Mama Rachel", talked down about the staff while in their presence! This happened more than once, and it was rude and felt awkward. Unfortunate given how incredibly friendly, respectful and polite all of the staff were.

While all aspects with respect to the camp and facilities were slightly preferable here to Bush Camp, the one limitation was that the wifi was limited to the main camp area... a small thing, but when you are confined to your tent at night, having that access to be able to catch up with loved one, etc., was an appreciated convenience at Bush Camp." See all these reviews: 14n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

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

Buffalo

10 sightings

Cheetah

5 sightings

Eland

5 sightings

Elephant

10 sightings

Giraffe

10 sightings

Hippo

10 sightings

Leopard

4 sightings

Lion

10 sightings

Spotted Hyena

9 sightings

Wildebeest

10 sightings

Zebra

10 sightings

Showing 21-30 of 86
98%
86 reviews of Kicheche Mara by travellers since August 2007
Overall rating by our travellers
80
5
1
0
0
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100% (98 reviews)
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Cottars 1920s Camp

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Saruni Mara

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