Striped Hyena Safari: Day-by-day
More detailed information of what each day entails, and the various places you’ll stay on the Striped Hyena Safari. Everything we do is completely tailor-made so while this is an idea which works well, we’ll always design an itinerary just for you.
Starts: JKI Airport Nairobi
On arrival at the airport, you’ll be greeted by a driver after you’ve collected your bags.
Nairobi to the Maasai Mara by road, light aircraft & 4WD
It's a drive of an hour or so to Wilson Airport. Here you'll board your light aircraft for the Naboisho Conservancy, a trip of around 45 minutes depending on stops en route. A driver-guide will be waiting to introduce you to the Maasai Mara: it's roughly a half-hour game drive to Kicheche Valley, depending on the wildlife you see en route.
Kicheche Valley
The newest of three Kicheche camps in the Mara region in Kenya, the upmarket and unfenced Kicheche Valley Camp opened in 2011. The camp is set in a secluded, wooded valley in the eastern part of the Mara Naboisho Conservancy. A spring close to the central dining and lounge area attracts plentiful wildlife.
The newest of three Kicheche camps in the Mara region in Kenya, the upmarket and unfenced Kicheche Valley Camp opened in 2011. The camp is set in a secluded, wooded valley in the eastern part of the Mara Naboisho Conservancy. A spring close to the central dining and lounge area attracts plentiful wildlife.
"From the moment we arrived, we felt like family."
Mr&Mrs L fromCanadaArrived 1 Mar 2024, 3 nights
Kicheche Valley is a high-end safari camp, embodying chic rusticity, and is the most comfortable of Kicheche’s three camps in the Mara. We loved the wooded location, the well-established feel of the main dining and lounge areas, and the manager’s enthusiasm for their vegetable garden. This is a great camp for returning Mara enthusiasts who want to relax and enjoy being pampered rather than cram their days with activity. See our full report on Kicheche Valley
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Cultural excursion
Fly-camping
Guided walking safari
Hot air ballooning
Walking between the camps
Setting off on foot after breakfast from Kicheche Valley, you'll be accompanied by your private guide and an armed ranger. During the day there's plenty of of time to chat, take photos, picnic, and marvel at the wilderness before arriving at your simple fly camp – where a cold drink awaits.
Kicheche Fly Camp
In 2016, Kicheche expanded its highly regarded tented camps to include fly-camping in the Maasai Mara ecosystem. The fly camp is set up in the western part of the Naboisho Conservancy to accommodate you on a two-day Walking Wilderness safari between Kicheche Valley Camp and Kicheche Bush Camp, or vice versa.
In 2016, Kicheche expanded its highly regarded tented camps to include fly-camping in the Maasai Mara ecosystem. The fly camp is set up in the western part of the Naboisho Conservancy to accommodate you on a two-day Walking Wilderness safari between Kicheche Valley Camp and Kicheche Bush Camp, or vice versa.
"Loved this"
Ms H.fromLondonArrived 30 Dec 2022, 1 night
Although Expert Africa has not yet had the pleasure of the Walking Wilderness fly-camping experience, we have been impressed by feedback already received from travellers who have opted for this adventure. See our full report on Kicheche Walking Wilderness
Activities
Birdwatching
Fly-camping
Guided walking safari
Hot air ballooning
Walking to the Olare Motorogi Conservancy
Leaving the fly camp behind, you'll walk further across the Maasai Mara conservancies, the scenic expanse of woodland and grassland unfolding as you go. Depending on your walking speed and how often you stop for drinks, lunch and wildlife sightings, you'll arrive at Kicheche Bush Camp some time in the afternoon.
Kicheche Bush Camp
Located in the quiet Olare Motorogi Conservancy, with only six tents dotted through the bush, Kicheche Bush Camp is an intimate tented camp owned in partnership with photographer Paul Goldstein. As a result, there is a keen focus on wildlife viewing and photography here, making this a popular camp that safari enthusiasts flock to year after year.
Located in the quiet Olare Motorogi Conservancy, with only six tents dotted through the bush, Kicheche Bush Camp is an intimate tented camp owned in partnership with photographer Paul Goldstein. As a result, there is a keen focus on wildlife viewing and photography here, making this a popular camp that safari enthusiasts flock to year after year.
"Excellent guides and good accommodation...amazing staff. "
Ms D.fromCanadaArrived 12 Feb 2024, 4 nights
Kicheche Bush Camp is a real favourite of ours, with fantastic managers who create a very convivial and friendly camp. This, twinned with the high quality of the camp itself, which is spotlessly clean, well kept and stylish, makes it a first-rate choice for people who like bush camps but with a high degree of comfort. The most telling thing we noticed when we were there was that out of ten visitors in camp, eight were repeat guests. For us that says it all! See our full report on Kicheche Bush Camp
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Cultural excursion
Fly-camping
Guided walking safari
Hot air ballooning
Maasai Mara to Nairobi by 4WD, light aircraft & road
Enjoy this morning's short 4WD trip to Olare Motorogi Airstrip before your 45–90-minute flight (depending on airstrips visited) across the dramatic Rift Valley to Wilson Airport. A driver will be waiting to transfer you to the international airport, with visits and meal stops en route, depending on your flight time.
Ends: JKI Airport Nairobi
Experiences you can add to this trip.
Optional extra day-trips and excursions possible whilst staying at lodges on this trip. These are usually best arranged in advance so talk to us.
Balloon flight over the Mara
3 hours in total - morning only
With the sun rising over the Loita Hills, you scramble into the balloon basket for the start of a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You’re about to go drifting with the breeze above the trees and plains of one of the world’s greatest wildlife regions.
More about Balloon Safari
Safari in Maasai Mara National Reserve
All day from sunrise to sunset
If you're not staying in the Maasai Mara National Reserve itself, you're likely to be staying in one of the outstandingly wildlife-rich Maasai-owned private conservancies just outside the reserve boundary. A full-day game drive in the reserve gives you the chance to visit the Mara River and see some of the reserve's fabled wildlife locations.
More about Maasai Mara Safari