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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
Kicheche Mara
Kicheche Mara

Reviews of Kicheche Mara

Wildlife sightings and reviews

94 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, 65 of our travellers have recorded their wildlife sightings at Kicheche Mara.
Lion

100% success

Leopard

68% success

Cheetah

91% 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

92% success

Striped Hyena

6% success

Black Rhino

5% success

Aardvark

0% success

Pangolin

0% success

Showing 31-40 of 94
Duration
Arrival date
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

Ms G.
Canada

"Kicheche Mara review"

4 nights Arrived 5 Nov 2022
"Gorgeous view from our tent. Food was great. No internet in the tents unfortunately." See all these reviews: 13n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Service:
Good
Activities:
Excellent
Ms B.
Canada

"Kicheche Mara review"

4 nights Arrived 5 Nov 2022
"Beautiful location, great food, loved the evening bonfires!" See all these reviews: 13n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
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

Showing 31-40 of 94
99%
94 reviews of Kicheche Mara by travellers since August 2007
Overall rating by our travellers
88
5
1
0
0
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Other lodges in Maasai Mara Conservancies

Alternative places to stay in this same area.


Kicheche Bush Camp

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.


100% (104 reviews)
Kicheche Valley

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.


99% (65 reviews)
Naboisho Camp

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.


98% (49 reviews)
Offbeat Mara

Offbeat Mara

Offbeat Mara is a small traditional camp that appeals to safari traditionalists, located in one of the Maasai Mara’s quiet conservancies.


98% (42 reviews)
Encounter Mara

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.


92% (18 reviews)
Elephant Pepper Camp

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.


99% (17 reviews)
Serian

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.


97% (15 reviews)
Mara Plains Camp

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.


100% (13 reviews)
Kicheche Walking Wilderness

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.


96% (10 reviews)
Basecamp Eagle View

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.


96% (10 reviews)
Hemingways Ol Seki Mara

Hemingways Ol Seki

Magnificently located tented lodge on a bluff looking south across the Naboisho Conservancy toward the Maasai Mara National Reserve.


96% (9 reviews)
Saruni Wild

Saruni Wild

Saruni Wild is a rustic and traditional safari camp in the Lemek Conservancy, with just three tents and limited electricity.


98% (8 reviews)
Porini Lion Camp

Porini Lion Camp

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83% (8 reviews)
Offbeat Ndoto

Offbeat Ndoto

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Porini Mara Camp

Porini Mara Camp

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Ngare Serian

Ngare Serian

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Basecamp Leopard Hill

Basecamp Leopard Hill

With six beautiful tents, Basecamp Leopard Hill is a smart safari camp in the Naboisho Conservancy in the Maasai Mara ecosystem.


100% (5 reviews)
Karen Blixen Camp

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.


92% (5 reviews)
Cottars 1920s Camp

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.


92% (5 reviews)
Leleshwa

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.


90% (2 reviews)
Mahali Mzuri

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.


100% (2 reviews)
Saruni Mara

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.


80% (1 review)
Mara Nyika

Mara Nyika

Mara Nyika is one of the newer additions to the Naboisho Conservancy and offers a luxurious and exclusive safari.


100% (1 review)
Basecamp Wilderness Camp

Basecamp Wilderness

Basecamp Wilderness Camp is a simple, traditional tented camp, set in a remote valley in the Naboisho Conservancy in the Mara ecoystem.


100% (1 review)
Mara Bushtops

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.


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Mara Toto Tree Camp

Mara Toto Tree Camp

Mara Toto Tree Camp is located on a wooded bend of the Ntiakatek River, 1km south (as the pied crow flies) from its sister camp, Mara Plains. It's the offspring of the original "Mara Toto" which was swept away in floods.


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Cottars Private House

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.


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Entumoto

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.


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