Kicheche Mara Camp is a traditional bush camp in the Mara North Conservancy, the wilderness area with the greatest concentration of plains game in the world. The Masai Mara is famous for the annual Great Migration, but beyond that, it is one of the few remaining places in Africa where you can see wildlife in the same numbers observed in the 19th century.
Kicheche Mara Camp is a classic, luxury canvas bush camp set in a grove of wild olive trees. Game wanders through the unfenced camp, so your safari can begin right at Kicheche. In our opinion, Kicheche offers an impressive combination of adventure and comfort, and extraordinarily good value a view ratified by our clients.
Kicheche Mara Camp has eight comfortable twin and double-bedded tents. The luxury tents are subtly incorporated into the landscape - in a thicket of wild olive and croton trees - so that, even from a short distance, there is no sign of human habitation. Most of the tents are in private, secluded positions overlooking the plains and the nearby Aitong Hills, but some are closer together for the use of families or friends. Each spacious tent is fully insect-proof, comfortably furnished and the decoration includes Maasai artwork. The en-suite bathroom provides a safari shower and flush toilet. Low wattage lighting is supplied round the clock. Each tent has a private verandah, in addition to the hammocks hung between nearby trees. The camp lounge has comfortable seating, a library, board games, cards and local crafts. Sundowners and post-dinner drinks are served in the lounge area or by the campfire, which becomes lively after the evening meal.
Fresh produce is flown in from Nairobi and bread and pastries are baked fresh each day. The menu features both African and international dishes and meals are served al fresco whenever possible. You eat at the communal table with the friendly hosts and some of the guides, or you are welcome to dine privately. The food is plentiful, well-presented and delicious.
During your stay at Kicheche Mara Camp you can visit a genuine, local Maasai village for a first-hand experience of the traditional Maasai way of life. Traditional crafts are on sale and, sometimes, there is traditional dancing. Your village guide, or the Kicheche guide, will tell you about the activities in the village and explain the interconnections between the Maasai way of life and the Mara. You can take a balloon safari over the plains of the Masai Mara from Kicheche and, after a champagne breakfast, game drive back to camp. Kicheche also offers a flying excursion to Rusinga Island on Lake Victoria, where you can fish or just relax to the sound of the lapping water.
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Craig Kaufman
Travel Specialist
Tours staying at this accommodation
Responsible Travel
About half of the staff live within walking distance of camp and, while Kicheche puts great emphasis on the quality of its guiding, it seeks suitable local staff for training in the Koiyaki Guiding School. Kicheche also supports two local schools, which you can visit during term-time.
On Safari
The rich plains around the camp support an abundance of grazing animals, including sizeable elephant herds, giraffe and a variety of antelope. The woodlands hide the Kicheche pride, now consisting of 27 lions and lionesses. Leopard has been spotted frequently in recent months, as have cheetah and a beautiful family of caracal. You should see hyena and silver-backed jackal, and – very exciting - wild dog has been sighted for the first time since the 1990s. Kicheche takes a flexible approach to the game activities and tries to provide what you want at the time you want it. Morning and afternoon/evening game drives are conducted in open-sided 4WD Landcruisers. Game drives allow you to watch the wildlife at close range and provide excellent opportunities for photography. The game drives often incorporate picnic breakfasts, bush lunches, or sundowners. Walking across the savannah, escorted by an armed guide, provides another perspective on the life of the Mara.
Craig Kaufman
Travel Specialist
Why Choose Us?
Passionate travel experts
- We've been leading wildlife travel since our first South Africa tours over 25 years ago
- Our Travel Specialists have lived in their specialist area for years
- We work with local guides to immerse you deeper in our diverse range of experiences
Personal & tailor-made
- You'll speak to your own expert who'll share their first-hand knowledge
- We'll make your itinerary seamless with 24/7 emergency contact available
- Your Travel Specialist will listen to ensure you have the best chance of seeing the wildlife you love
Responsible by nature
- We take care to actively contribute to the conservation of environments we visit
- For select countries, we make a charitable donation on your behalf when you make your booking
- We've partnered with conservation experts and NGOs to curate responsible tours
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