Reviews of Kicheche Mara
Wildlife sightings and reviews
106 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"

Buffalo
Multiple sightings

Cheetah
Multiple sightings

Eland
Multiple sightings

Elephant
Multiple sightings

Giraffe
Multiple sightings

Hippo
Multiple sightings

Lion
Multiple sightings

Spotted Hyena
Multiple sightings

Wildebeest
Multiple sightings

Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Kicheche Mara review"
The drive to camp should be around 30 minutes from the airstrip - mine took longer because we stopped, firstly to watch a leopard in a tree, and climbing down it, and then, just outside camp, to watch the Acacia pride of lions dozing in the sun. I also saw buffalo and elephant on that drive, so four of the available big five, if that’s what floats your boat, before I’d even got to camp (there are no rhino in Mara North).
All Kicheche camps have wonderful guides. At Mara, mine was David, a Maasai so in tune with his environment he seems to know every rock, pebble and blade of grass. He also has binoculars for eyes.
The camp is bigger than the other Kicheches and appears to have almost double the guest capacity. The tents are spread out in a really pretty area next to a stream but they (or at least mine - Zebra) are not as secluded as at the other camps, so I could hear conversations from both tents either side of me. There’s plenty of wildlife right on the doorstep. Mating hippos, hyena, leopard and lion were all seen or heard, buffalo walked past my tent every night, and there were bushbuck and vervet monkeys during the day.
There has been a massive makeover of the guest tents and they are very swish. Mine was huge, with a double bed and a day bed, desk and wardrobe area and a curtained bathroom with double basins, separate shower and loo; all singing and dancing. There’s even washing powder, a line and pegs. No full length mirror, strangely, and the wardrobe area is very dark for getting dressed before dawn. This new poshness took me a while to absorb. I love the ‘old’ Kicheche branding with its rather rustic, colonial feel and unlined tents. Maybe colonial’s not the done thing any more, but it was done well. This new look is a bit ‘could be anywhere’ and, whilst I can’t deny the comfort, I worry slightly that the wafty cream curtains and pale rugs will tire very quickly. Still, that’s not my problem, and for the moment the tents look fresh and beautiful.
The mess tent has a couple of seating areas with big sofas and an area for dining. Lunch was taken outside on a deck overlooking the lawn. Some people seem to expect a lot of the food on safari. I don’t. I just want it to be fresh, balanced and well thought out, which this is.
I missed the communal table I’d enjoyed at Kicheche Bush camp the previous year. I don’t mind eating alone - rather that than be ‘paired up’ with other guests not of my choice (and vice-versa), for three meals in a row. As the third one loomed I asked if I could have dinner in my room. True, it was my last night and I needed to pack, but it was a relief to have that excuse and I really enjoyed that time - alone with my pasta and glass of red.
I found Kicheche Mara less cosy and strangely less 'genuine' than the other two Kicheches I’ve stayed at (Laikipia and Bush) but it has great service with fantastic wildlife and the right guides to find it." See all these reviews: 10n in Kenya

Buffalo
10 sightings

Cheetah
Multiple sightings

Eland
10 sightings

Elephant
10 sightings

Giraffe
10 sightings

Hippo
10 sightings

Leopard
2 sightings

Lion
6 sightings

Spotted Hyena
10 sightings

Wildebeest
10 sightings

Zebra
10 sightings
"Kicheche Mara review"
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

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
"Kicheche Mara review"
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
"Kicheche Mara review"

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
"Kicheche Mara review"
"Kicheche Mara review"
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

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
"Kicheche Mara review"
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

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
"Kicheche Mara review"
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

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
"Kicheche Mara review"
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

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
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