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
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"Kicheche Mara review"
"Exceptional safari at Kicheche Mara"
I love the spacious feeling of the camp with tents well-spread along the valley among large shady trees. Wildlife visits all the camps but it is more visible here and very relaxed within the camp.
I would happily return to any of the three Kicheche camps in the Mara conservancies but especially Kicheche Mara.
It is difficult to imagine how a safari could be better." See all these reviews: 11n in Kenya
"Kicheche Mara - a really beautiful camp"
But this camp is not just a 'pretty face', it has real substance in the form of abundant and diverse wildlife shown to you by phenomenal guides.
This was my third visit and we are already planning our next trip." See all these reviews: 16n in Kenya
"Kicheche Mara"
"Fantastic. The managers, Darren & Emma are very personable and go out of their way to make sure that guests are looked after.
Nothing is too much trouble.The food and wine are first class. The guides all hold silver qualifications under the Kenya Professional Guide scheme. All of them regularly accompany professional photographers and as a result they instinctively put guests in the best position to view animals and to take photographs. They explain what animals have been sighted in the conservancy over the last few days and which are with cubs. They will then plan game drives which suit what the guest wants to view. You have the option to have packed breakfasts or lunches depending on what you want to see."
After staying at Bush Camp we stayed in the Mara Camp. Everything I wrote about the Bush Camp applies to the Mara camp where Andreas and Manuela are the managers. They are Italian and bring a delightful Italian influence to some of the dishes at this camp. They are both charming and knowledgeable about Kenya it's wildlife and people.
The mara camp is in an area which is ideal for sightings of lions, cheetah and leopards." See all these reviews: 8n in Kenya
"Brilliant stay at Kicheche Mara"
Everything at this camp was run smoothly and super efficiently by the Italian managers Manuela and Andrea. They were the most sympathetic and relaxed managers we ever met. We cannot praise them highly enough. As we had problems as to where to hang our washing, they really listened and already the next day, they had introduced a discretely placed new washing line at all tents. A washing line for the laundry that the staff cannot wash, is something that we had missed at all camps we visited so far.
Food is excellent here and no effort was spared as to fulfil my dietary needs. The cook, who even came in person to our table, baked the most delicious special rice bread just for me. All the staff was great.
The highlights of our stay were the game drives with our outstanding guide David, who has a lovely personality. It was a pleasure to spend our days in his company. He was very responsive to our interests and every day made suggestions for us to choose from. Mara North was teeming with wildlife and among many memorable sightings, we witnessed the unfolding drama of two jackals chasing and killing an impala fawn, through outsmarting the impala mother and the whole herd. Next thing, the carcass got stolen by a passing hyena.
We spent the lion's share of an afternoon with the Offbeat lion pride, watching the older cubs stalking each other, jumping high into the air while playing rough, three of them even went up a tree, all of them together. We also had several heartwarming encounters with elephant mothers and their young, who were calmly surrounding us at close range. Their obvious trust was deeply moving.
Most of our time each day we spent watching and photographing a cheetah mother, probably Amani, with her two cubs. Mostly we were the only vehicle there, except for a film team." See all these reviews: 12n in Kenya
"As advertised"
anyone who loves the land will appreciate it
excellent guiding
abundant game as the southern herds were mostly here
Lions in huge numbers
Kicheche is very service oriented and responsive
A negative is there are a lot of vehicles from other camps in the general area
the tents and camp itself are quite nice but the camp facilities bar is high in this area" See all these reviews: 6n in Tanzania; 4n in Kenya
"Lovely location and guiding at Kicheche Mara"
After Bush Camp though, Mara really lacked atmosphere. Don't know whether this is due to relief managers rather than permanent fixtures but it was infinitely less friendly and welcoming. David was an excellent guide and very informative and knowledgeable with a lovely gentle manner. He made the stay for us." See all these reviews: 14n in Kenya
"Kicheche Mara review"
The camp is in a beautiful valley next to a stream and the tents have a wonderful outlook across the valley. The staff were very attentive and even remembered me, and the food and drink were excellent.
The wildlife in Mara North is just fantastic. I learnt a great deal about 'spotting' and the animals from our excellent guide David. I have travelled to many countries to see wildlife and the Masai Mara ranks number one as far as I am concerned." See all these reviews: 15n in Kenya
"Kicheche Mara review"
Recommend Francis and keeping in touch too.
The night guards, the 'front of house' staff, the backstage team, all appeared in great spirits indicating there is a good working relationship in the camp.
Food was excellent, nothing there I did not like or enjoy.
Facilities and the tents are very clean and just have lovely touches. I have come away from both camps with great ideas.
That aside, the safaris were great, plenty of lions and their cubs. No sign of the leopards on this occasion, but of course I have herad since that there is one now about after my departure, obviously wanted to wait until I went ... Elephant herds coming through stirred up a lot on interest in Francis. 52 around us at one stage.
I will keep in touch with the camp and funds allowing will return one day for more photography..." See all these reviews: 9n in Kenya
"The best camp I have ever experienced"
All the staff were friendly and were prepared to go over and beyond the call of duty to ensure our stay was enjoyable - even taking the trouble to point out wildlife whilst escorting us back to our rooms at night - we were fortunate to see bats and jennet cats thanks to our Masai escort one night.
Our rooms were well appointed, clean and well maintained - perhaps my only slight criticism would be that although there were two deck chairs and two upright camp chairs on the verandah, there was not a chair inside the tent therefore unless one carried in the c amp chairs from outside, morning tea and coffee had to be consumed sitting on the bed as it was too cold to be outside at 5.45 a.m.! thgis is only a very little niggle and by no means did it spoil our enjoyment - the web site photographs do show a sofa at the end of the bed, so perhaps we were unlucky." See all these reviews: 7n in Kenya
Holiday styles & special interests in Kenya
From birdwatching breaks to walking holidays, find great ideas for your trip in Kenya.
Other lodges in Maasai Mara Conservancies
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Kicheche Bush Camp
Kicheche Bush Camp is a smart and intimate tented camp with a relaxed atmosphere and the perfect base in the Mara for keen photographers.
Kicheche Valley
Kicheche Valley is a boutique tented camp in a wooded district of the Mara ecosystem's Naboisho Conservancy, with plenty of wildlife in the area.
Naboisho Camp
Naboisho Camp is one of the most luxurious of the handful of camps in the Naboisho Conservancy. It offers day and night game drives, game walks and full creature comforts in the bush.
Offbeat Mara
Offbeat Mara is a small traditional camp that appeals to safari traditionalists, located in one of the Maasai Mara’s quiet conservancies.
Elephant Pepper Camp
Elephant Pepper Camp is a small 10-tent bush camp, put together in the traditional "campaign" style, and including a large honeymoon/family tent.
Encounter Mara
Encounter Mara is located in the private Naboisho Conservancy – a game-rich area of the Mara ecosystem – and offers a contemporary take on the traditional, low-impact luxury safari camp.
Serian
Serian is a luxury tented camp on the east bank of the Mara River in the Mara North Conservancy. It is the sister camp of Ngare Serian, on the west bank.
Mara Plains Camp
Mara Plains is one of the very best camps in the Mara ecosystem. Located in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy, just outside the Mara reserve, it has access to three wildlife-viewing areas.
Basecamp Eagle View
Basecamp Eagle View is a community-focused safari camp in the Naboisho Conservancy, with a strong emphasis on responsible tourism and a spectacular location.
Kicheche Fly Camp
Kicheche Walking Wilderness Fly Camp is a temporaray dome tent camp set up for participants in Kicheche's two-day walking safari between Kicheche Valley and Kicheche Bush Camp.
Porini Lion Camp
Porini Lion Camp is a pioneering, community focused eco-camp, with excellent guides and game viewing, in the predator-rich, Olare Motorogi Conservancy.
Hemingways Ol Seki
Magnificently located tented lodge on a bluff looking south across the Naboisho Conservancy toward the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Ol Kinyei Adventure
Ol Kinyei Adventure Camp is a satelllite of the larger Porini Mara Camp. Both of them are located in the Maasai-owned Ol Kinyei conservancy, the oldest community conservancy in the Maasai Mara ecosystem.
Saruni Wild
Saruni Wild is a rustic and traditional safari camp in the Lemek Conservancy, with just three tents and limited electricity.
Ngare Serian
The luxurious Ngare Serian and its sister camp Serian face each other across the Mara River on the western side of the Mara North Conservancy
Porini Mara Camp
Porini Mara Camp is a small, pioneering eco-camp in the first private conservancy in the Mara region, with comfortable accommodation and a range of activities.
Offbeat Ndoto
Small and intimate, Offbeat Mara is set in a valley above the (often dry) Olare Orok River within the Mara North Conservancy.
Cottars 1920s Camp
Cottar's 1920s Camp is a classic, luxury tented camp with a 1920s safari theme, located in its own conservancy on the southeast border of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Karen Blixen Camp
Karen Blixen Camp sits on a meander of the Mara River in the Mara North Conservancy, just beyond the northern boundary of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Basecamp Leopard Hill
With six beautiful tents, Basecamp Leopard Hill is a smart safari camp in the Naboisho Conservancy in the Maasai Mara ecosystem.
Leleshwa
Leleshwa was a delightful, boutique safari camp on the picturesque banks of a tributary of the Talek, with an extensive, little visited game area on its doorstep.
Mahali Mzuri
Mahali Mzuri is a strikingly modern tented camp in the Virgin Limited Edition group, in a remote part of the Mara ecosytem's Olare Motorogi Conservancy. It has lovely views and all the luxuries of a five-star hotel.
Saruni Mara
Saruni Mara is a luxurious permanent lodge, on the remote northern edge of the Mara North Conservancy, with stunning views, good guiding and very private and comfortable rooms.
Mara Nyika
Mara Nyika is one of the newer additions to the Naboisho Conservancy and offers a luxurious and exclusive safari.
Basecamp Wilderness
Basecamp Wilderness Camp is a simple, traditional tented camp, set in a remote valley in the Naboisho Conservancy in the Mara ecoystem.
Mara Bushtops
Mara Bushtops is a luxury safari hotel on a private concession, outside the Maasai Mara National Reserve, with the emphasis on comfort, relaxation and good food and wine.
Cottars Private House
Cottar's Private House is one of the few truly luxurious, modern private houses in the Mara ecosystem, spoiling its guests with first-rate staff, a swimming pool and wonderful views.
Entumoto
Entumoto is a high-end tented camp, with a swimming pool, situated in a very pretty location on the east side of the Maasai Mara ecosystem.
