Reviews of Kicheche Valley
Wildlife sightings and reviews
65 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Kicheche Valley and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
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"Kicheche Valley review"
Valley is the most posh of the Kicheche camps, but, still, it’s not over-the-top luxurious (which would not have been to our taste). To our delight, guest-manager Rachel (whom we had befriended at another camp on a previous trip) was at the helm, and she provided a generous and gracious welcome to all visitors in camp. At our request, she arranged for a quiet tent-side dinner for us on our last night in the bush.
Fortunately, Valley still has that Kicheche vibe that emphasizes wildlife viewing. And what viewing we had in our 24 hours here: a magnificent male leopard on our drive in; an afternoon drive with a pride of 18 lions and a celebrated female cheetah with 5 approximately one-month old cubs engaging in all sorts of antics; and a last morning drive with a lioness and 2 tiny cubs, a den of bat-eared foxes, and then, to cap it all off, the aforesaid celebrated cheetah mother embarking on a successful gazelle kill to keep her young family alive for one more day.
Our guide, Bernard, was very engaging and did a superlative job of positioning our vehicle for optimal photographic opportunities. We definitely would like to return to Kicheche Valley in the future for a longer stay." See all these reviews: 17n in Kenya
"Big cats and more"
I was struck, as I was elsewhere on this (just) post-Covid trip, by just how calm and pragmatic and sensible everyone working in the camp was and how pleased they were to see us after a couple of hard years - it was a great relief and comfort coming from Europe. Minnie in particular who managed it had a lovely sense of humour as well and that filtered down to the staff.
Food, as elsewhere on this trip was excellent.
Guiding was really good - Kicheche is at the junction of three different prides' territories and one dominant male lion had been taken down by rivals from another pride the night before we arrived and the fallout 'politics' were really interesting. This is spectacular big cat territory - lots of sightings of leopards and cheetahs as well as dozens of lions - including many cubs of different ages - and the guide knew where to find them.
We also saw (practically) every sort of gazelle, elephants, hippos, birds, hyenas, sunsets, sunrises. The land was parched after a long drought, and it began to rain on our last day which didn't diminish the game drive - they provided huge lined cagoules and by the following morning green shoots were appearing." See all these reviews: 14n in Kenya
"Kicheche Valley review, my favourite camp on this trip "
What really made my experience memorable at Kicheche Valley was the outstanding guiding by Mika. Extremely knowledgeable, he listens and observes every details in the bush and proves to be very skillful at spotting all sorts of wildlife. He is modest when saying he can identify "a few birds", I would call him an expert!
Having our bush breakfasts in the vehicle while observing a cheetah and her 2 cubs was delightful.
I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of my stay!" See all these reviews: 13n in Kenya
"Kicheche Valley review"
Its very exciting that the camp is totally unfenced and one night a giraffe was killed by a pride of lion within sight of our tent.
The room was very spacious, clean and comfortable.
The food was good and plentiful and it was nice to eat looking out over the valley. The portable fires were a nice touch.
As we have come to expect at a Kicheche camp the drives were top notch and the guide was excellent. Bernard was extremely knowledgeable, easy to spend time with and was very considerate and tried really hard to make sure we saw the animals we wanted. He was very reassuring when the animals got close and was conscious to make sure everyone felt safe and comfortable. Its nice that he was from the local area and was happy to share his life experiences. Bernard is a great photographer and gave us some good tips.
The night drive was excellent with a lovely clear sky and very bright stars. Within the space of half an hr we saw lions eating a kill, bush babies and an AARDVARK! It has been wishfully put on our 'to see list' but we didn't really expect it to happen (neither did Bernard). It was a great experience and we got to spend quite a bit of time following him as he went about his evening forage.
The bush walk was surreal when you consider what animals could be lurking nearby. We felt very safe with Bernard and the ranger and thoroughly enjoyed seeing things that might be missed from a jeep.
The trip to the local village was a very interesting experience and it was very nice to be able to buy a few of the handmade gifts. Mark who showed us around his village was very friendly and let us have a go to try to make fire. It was a lot harder than it looks. There was no hard selling and all the price negotiation was done through Mark.
We would 1000% return to KV." See all these reviews: 11n in Kenya
"Kicheche Valley review"
Game is not always as prolific as with Olare and Mara North, but we had great cheetah sightings, good lion and some wonderful elegies at sunset, so no complaints.
The conservancy was in dire need of rain." See all these reviews: 12n in Kenya
"Kicheche Valley review"
Our host was phenomenal and kind. She was sweet enough to offer me a free massage as a treat for my husband and I being on our honeymoon. That was a nice suprise! She also set up a little private romantic dinner for just my husband and I. I really felt like our host and this camp went the extra mile to make a romantic experience for my husband and I while we were there.
The rooms here were lovely and comfortable, and we had a phenomonal view. The food was delicious too of course.
We highly recommend staying here, and we hope to be able to do so for a longer period of time in the future." See all these reviews: 7n in Tanzania; 5n in Zanzibar; 5n in Kenya
"Kicheche Valley review"
"Kicheche Valley Camp - our first visit"
We enjoyed the night drive which doesn't happen at the other camps." See all these reviews: 15n in Kenya
"Kicheche Valley Camp"
" Lovely Kicheche Valley"
The camp is unfenced so you are escorted by guards in the evening and early morning. One of the guards found a lion dozing between two of the tents on his early rounds and encouraged him to leave!
The camp tents have recently been replaced. We thought the tents were lovely although there are a few finishing touches that are still going on. A lot of the tents have hyrax in and around them which are entertaining.
Our driver, Benjy, was a knowledgeable, kind guide and a great driver. He was aware of where to place the vehicle for the best photographs. The morning drive began early and usually lasted until 11-12 The evening drive began at 3:30 and back at camp by 7.
Coffee/tea/snacks were provided for pre-drive. Packed breakfast was tasty and varied. Lunch and evening meals were served with all guests at a shared, hosted table. For lunch there was usually a served first course, a delicious salad buffet and then dessert. Dinner was a 3 course plated meal with no choice unless you were a vegetarian or had special requirements. The evening food was tasty but not refined and it would not take much to change this.
We did not take part in any of any of the other activities. We know others enjoyed the walk. The night game drive takes place after dinner which is unusual in our experience and a great idea but ours was, unfortunately, rained off.
The staff were lovely and went our of their way to help with any problems and questions. Andy was a wonderful host.
There was a mix of people: honeymooners, visitors who were new to safaris, experienced travellers, solo travellers and returning clients
We would gladly return!" See all these reviews: 13n in Kenya
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