Reviews of Kicheche Valley
Wildlife sightings and reviews
66 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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" 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
"Kicheche Valley Camp Review"
We would suggest solar lights are placed along the path to the camp from the road." See all these reviews: 12n in Kenya
"Valley Camp "
We could not believe how close we were to the wildlife! We did a night drive and only went a short distance when we first saw a cheetah ... and then a lion ... and then a giraffe and aardvark and bush babies -- it was amazing! All of our drives were exciting and we saw so many animals!
One of our most exciting experiences happened at the camp, when the Maasai guides all came together and performed a traditional song and song in honour of my husband's birthday -- we were so honoured!" See all these reviews: 12n in Kenya
"Another great Kicheche camp"
The main focus of the camp remains on the wildlife viewing, with daily bush breakfasts, allowing us to stay out longer in the morning. Our guide, Bernard, was excellent and very knowledgeable about the wildlife and about positioning the vehicle for best views and best photographic opportunities. He seemed to know how close different species of mammal and bird would tolerate the vehicle. In addition, he paid attention to our interests. We like Kicheche vehicles as they are very open, it is possible to stand up in them and they are equipped with beanbags.
The food was excellent and we were very impressed with how they catered for our complex dietary needs.
We really enjoyed our stay at Kicheche Valley." See all these reviews: 11n in Kenya
"Safari resort in raw and remote conservancy"
Whilst food, service and accommodation were all of a high standard, it was the first class guiding that made our stay here so memorable. We witnessed some of our most unique wildlife experiences ever here in Naboisho conservancy, all thanks to the knowledge and passion of our guide, Mika Kaleku. Mika not only possesses the exhaustive knowledge of the local flora and fauna that is the hallmark of Kenya's top guides, but he is also a well-educated naturalist and conservationist with a fascinating depth of perspective and understanding of the issues affecting the Mara ecosystem today - something he enthusiastically shared with us during our two days with him. As someone who asks a lot of detailed questions, I found his obvious intelligence and the structured nature of his thought and communication to be particularly engaging - something helped by his high level of English fluency and unusually comprehensive formal education, as well as years of practical experience. With Mika, observing the social interactions within a herd of impala one afternoon was every bit as fascinating as watching a cheetah stalk her prey the next morning. Whilst the predator density in Naboisho doesn't appear to be as high as in neighouring Olare Motorogi, I would say that it was here with Mika that we found the most authentic natural experiences of our whole stay across three camps in the Mara region - and for the most part, we had them completely to ourselves." See all these reviews: 8n in Kenya
"What a fantastic camp!"
Although we found the 3 course meals a bit excessive they were very nice. The bush breakfasts were the best we’d had.
The view from our tent was so good we could have stayed there all day! We both had massage treatments which were excellent and very welcome after 5 days Safari. Naboisho is a great conservancy. Wildlife was easy to see and find and we had some great encounters, including leopard viewing in sight of our tent. We spent a lot of time watching lions which was amazing. The night game drive was the low point with very little to see and quite a lot of light pollution from the villages.
We would certainly stay at a Kicheche camp again." See all these reviews: 7n in Mozambique; 7n in Kenya
"Great location, good views of game from camp"
Our guide Johnson wore Masai traditional dress and was very knowledgeable where to find the wildlife and the highlight was to see a pair of lions mating every 10 minutes or so, they keep this up for several days!!!
On our last night Marietta and Brandon arrange a private dinner outside our tent to celebrate Janet's birthday - a very nice gesture from the camp." See all these reviews: 17n in Kenya; 9n in Zimbabwe; 6n in Tanzania; 5n in Botswana; 5n in Zambia
"Kicheche Valley The Experience of a Lifetime"
The quality of the game drives and knowledge of the guide was absolutely first class.
What a holiday and a wonderful camp with impeccable service. We wholeheartedly recommend Kicheche Valley" See all these reviews: 7n in Kenya
"Andrew was a charming host"
But he spent too long on his phone and his own photos, without checking whether we were bored!
Terrific lions and three different sets of cubs, but no other cats unfortunately." See all these reviews: 14n in Kenya
"Fantastic Kicheche valley"
I was privileged to hear two lionesses bring down a zebra 30 yards from my tent at 5 a.m which is pretty special. The ambush started only 15 yards away and the feeding lionesses could be seen by torchlight from my decking.
I had many other exceptional wildlife sightings whilst I was at Valley and Naboisho is undoubtedly as good as the other conservancies.
Bernard is an excellent guide and extremely good company. He has a good understanding of a photographer's perspective. Marietta was in charge in Andy's absence and ran an excellent camp. All the Kicheche staff are brilliant" See all these reviews: 12n in Kenya
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