Reviews of Kicheche Bush Camp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
111 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
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100% success
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90% success
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90% success
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4% success
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100% success
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100% success
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100% success
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100% success
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99% success
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97% success
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97% success
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88% success
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9% success
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8% success
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2% success
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0% success
"Kicheche Bush Camp with NJ Wight review"
And once again, our guides were exemplary. Patrick and Charles were able to find wildlife where I saw only scrub or rocks. They were able to tell us about every type of animal we saw, and in the case of some leopards and lions, the specifics of that individual. Patrick has a vivid and creative way of describing some things, which will stay with me always. One was his description of an old Cape buffalo as "a retired brigadier general". The other compared prey animals sensing a predator to townsfolk expecting the Government Inspector (which was a short story he read as young boy). I thought that was perfect. Both Patrick and Charles have a passion for what they do, and that comes through in their interactions with their many guests." See all these reviews: 13n in Kenya
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Buffalo
10 sightings
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Cheetah
2 sightings
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Eland
10 sightings
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Elephant
10 sightings
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Giraffe
10 sightings
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Hippo
Multiple sightings
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Leopard
1 sighting
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Lion
10 sightings
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Spotted Hyena
10 sightings
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Wildebeest
10 sightings
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Zebra
10 sightings
"Kicheche Bush Camp review"
It was noticeable that some so called professional photographers showed little or no regard when positioning their vehicle to other guests who had equal photographic interests. We would like to say that the Kicheche guide/drivers were very respectful of the animals and wildlife but some of the vehicles from other camps, quite frankly were disgraceful in their respect for animals and totally ignored the guide lines for the distance from the animals and indeed on one occasion one vehicle nearly ran over a lion and several times we asked our driver to pull away from sightings because we felt that the excessive amount of vehicles was distressing the animals and indeed we have photos of a cheetah appearing from the bumper of a vehicle because it was the only way it could escape." See all these reviews: 10n in Kenya
On the matter of crowding of vehicles at wildlife sightings, Kicheche sent their appreciation to these travellers for noting the integrity of Kicheche guides in following conservancy rules. While such incidents are rare in the conservancies compared with the Maasai Mara National Reserve, they promised to raise the issue of misbehaviour of guides from other camps with the conservancy managers, as the incidents these travellers reported were completely abhorrent and unacceptable.
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Buffalo
10 sightings
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Cheetah
6 sightings
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Eland
10 sightings
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Elephant
10 sightings
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Giraffe
10 sightings
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Hippo
10 sightings
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Leopard
3 sightings
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Lion
10 sightings
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Spotted Hyena
10 sightings
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Wildebeest
10 sightings
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Zebra
10 sightings
"Kicheche Bush Camp review"
I'm sure I'll be able to rate these things separately but Kennedy?!? Omg, could there be anyone more wonderful and welcoming?!
Charles and Patrick were phenomenal guides - clearly way ahead of the other camp guides and so, so fun. All of the staff were so wonderful and the food was incredible!
I truly hope to come back to Kicheche Bush Camp one day!" See all these reviews: 11n in Kenya
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Buffalo
Multiple sightings
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Cheetah
Multiple sightings
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Eland
Multiple sightings
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Elephant
Multiple sightings
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Giraffe
Multiple sightings
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Hippo
Multiple sightings
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Leopard
Multiple sightings
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Lion
Multiple sightings
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Spotted Hyena
Multiple sightings
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Striped Hyena
Multiple sightings
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Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
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Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Kicheche Bush Camp review"
This is a relatively small camp, making it feel as though we were the only ones in the conservancy.
The food was delicious and the staff friendly and welcoming!" See all these reviews: 11n in Kenya
"Kicheche Bush Camp review"
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Buffalo
Multiple sightings
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Cheetah
Multiple sightings
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Eland
Multiple sightings
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Elephant
Multiple sightings
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Giraffe
Multiple sightings
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Hippo
Multiple sightings
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Leopard
Multiple sightings
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Lion
Multiple sightings
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Spotted Hyena
Multiple sightings
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Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
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Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Kicheche Bush Camp review"
I can’t say enough about the organization and ambience." See all these reviews: 14n in Kenya
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Wildebeest
2 sightings
"Kicheche Bush Camp review"
I wasn't really sure what to expect but whatever it was, it wasn't near as good as the reality! My tent was anything but a tent! Nice sitting area, lovely bedroom and just about the largest shower I've ever seen! We did have a problem with a toilet that only flushed occasionally. They worked on it for the whole time we were there but it wasn't fixed by the time we left.
Lunch was served outside under a beautiful tree, watch out for birds;-) and was always delicious and entertaining with all of the stories of the morning drive.
Dinner was a little more formal and served in the dining area of the main building. The food was always excellent ! It was a good time to compare what we had seen on the afternoon drive and to get to know some of the other guests. Service was always 5 star.
My biggest wish for this trip was to see adult male lions and that came true on the first day, along with lionesses with theirs cubs, cheetahs, giraffes and more zebras then I could count." See all these reviews: 11n in Kenya
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Buffalo
Multiple sightings
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Cheetah
2 sightings
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Eland
Multiple sightings
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Elephant
Multiple sightings
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Giraffe
Multiple sightings
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Hippo
4 sightings
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Leopard
2 sightings
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Lion
6 sightings
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Striped Hyena
Multiple sightings
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Wildebeest
10 sightings
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Zebra
10 sightings
"Kicheche Bush Camp review"
The front end staff are always there when you need them - Kennedy and Abraham were big favourites." See all these reviews: 11n in Kenya
"Kicheche Bush Camp review"
The tents were very comfortable although I suspect some might be overly hot in the middle of the day as there is less shade than at Kicheche Valley." See all these reviews: 8n in Kenya
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Buffalo
2 sightings
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Cheetah
1 sighting
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Eland
1 sighting
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Elephant
2 sightings
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Giraffe
3 sightings
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Lion
2 sightings
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Wildebeest
3 sightings
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Zebra
4 sightings
"Kicheche Bush Camp review"
I'd been to Olare Motorogi Conservancy many years ago, so I'm aware of how dense with big cats it is. And even now, it does not disappoint. I had several sightings of lions (large prides and lots of cubs), several cheetah and one gorgeous female leopard as well as a tiny leopard cub. For those not as cat-hungry as I am, there is plenty of other game around, from elephants, zebras, wildebeest, eland, etc. There's really never a moment here when you're not seeing anything interesting. But the cats *really* don't disappoint!
Dido was the camp manager when I visited and he is a great host and made me feel welcome and comfortable right away. Meals were excellent and I was very well taken care of as a vegetarian.
The tent was large and comfortable. In room power for charging batteries 24/7 is very helpful. Great showers (not bucket showers!) and bathroom area were clean and comfortable. There are toiletries (shampoo/conditioner, lotion, laundry powder) available so no need to pack your own.
Benja was my guide and while he was friendly and knew a lot, almost all of our sightings were from following other Kicheche vehicles, so we'd always be the third or fourth vehicle on a sighting. Only twice did we find something on our own, and then he'd call the other vehicles who showed up right away. This was not the case at the other Kicheche camp I stayed at, so I don't think this is usual practice. That said, I still saw a ton of cats and excellent sightings at that.
One issue I had was with another Kicheche Bush guide who, on the sighting of the female leopard, cut her off as she started to stalk an impala. We'd moved away from her to watch the hunt from afar, and he drove his vehicle literally into the bush where she'd started her approach. She abandoned the hunt at that point. The next day, the same guide showed up at a lone leopard cub sighting we were on and while we were nearly 100 yards out (binoculars barely picked this cub up), he pulled right underneath where it was perched on a rock waiting for its mother, spooking it back into the rocks. This isn't behavior I'd expect to see in the conservancies or from a Kicheche guide. I let camp management and Expert Africa know because I was very disappointed.
All in all, it was an excellent return to Olare Motorogi but for the two sightings I mention above." See all these reviews: 12n in Kenya
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Buffalo
10 sightings
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Cheetah
7 sightings
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Eland
10 sightings
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Elephant
10 sightings
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Giraffe
10 sightings
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Hippo
1 sighting
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Leopard
2 sightings
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Lion
10 sightings
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Spotted Hyena
1 sighting
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Wildebeest
10 sightings
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Zebra
10 sightings
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