Kicheche Valley Camp in the Masai Mara
Kicheche Valley Camp, is an intimate luxury tented camp composed of only 6 tents sitting on platforms amongst the trees and rocky outcrops. With strict controls on bed and vehicle numbers in this community driven conservation area, a high quality wilderness experience is assured all year round.
Our premier Mara camp is in the Conde Nast Traveler new hotels hotlist for 2012. Kicheche Valley Camp offers 6 stunning tents sited on platforms. The tent decks provide the perfect location to relax and soak in the wilderness as birds fly through and the animals pass by. Each tent is spacious, fully insect-proof and equipped with a desk, sofa and luggage racks. Bathrooms are en-suite and are equipped with a dresser, flushing toilet and hot and cold running water. Family suites (1 double & 2 singles) are available on request.
The camp is set on the Eastern side of the 50,000 hectare Mara Naboisho conservancy in a beautiful secluded valley dotted with Acacia trees. The location is close to both the Enniskeria river region, with it’s stunning granite outcrops and permanent pools popular with the resident wildlife, and the vast plains to the north hosting large numbers of plains game and containing a vital elephant corridor. The valleys to the west provide a scenic backdrop whilst game driving and are ideal for game walks. Access is from Ol Seki airstrip, a 10 minute drive from the camp. Click here for further information on the Naboisho Conservancy.
Activities
Daily Schedules
Rigid daily schedules are not on our agenda, there are no hard and fast rules at Kicheche so guests can decide on their activities. The duration and frequency of game drives and walks is flexible.
Game Drives
Early morning and late afternoon are the most productive hours for game drives and our safari customised 4WD vehicles give everyone a perfect view. Watching wildlife at close range, but without encroaching on their space, is endlessly fascinating and our guides’ instincts and experience provide superb photo opportunities of wild animals. We do not impose limits on our game drives and our game drives are usually extended or even full day affairs. Picnic breakfasts, lunches and sundowner drinks are popular options to include on game drives.
Our vehicles are superbly designed for photographing, all our fleet is open-sided with open roofs. Cameras can be rested on the roof, with supplied beanbags, or on the armrests lower down, to which we can mount simple platforms for larger lenses.
For complete flexibility it is recommended that you take a vehicle on an exclusive use basis ( from $320 per day supplement).
Night Game Drives – ( Mara Naboisho Conservancy only)
Watching wildlife at close range, but without encroaching on their space, is endlessly fascinating and our guides’ instincts and experience will provide superb photo opportunities of wild animals. Our safari customised 4WD vehicles are designed to give everyone a perfect view. Night Game Drives are offered to enable guests the chance to observe lesser seen nocturnal species. Our vehicles are fitted with a hand held spotlight and resident species include aardvark, genet, bat-eared fox, striped hyena, serval, honey badger, civet and zorilla.
Walking
A different perspective is gained through escorted walks on the savannah. Our interpretive guides will point out the spoor of a leopard, the nest of a rare bird or signs of recent migration activity that would pass unnoticed by the eyes of strangers…
Fly Camp
Kicheche Bush Camp offers escorted walking safaris with overnight stays in a fly-camp in the bush. These excursions are led by one of Kicheche’s senior guides and an armed ranger. It is an outstanding opportunity to see the Mara from a completely different perspective and also offers some welcome exercise whilst on safari. You will explore the smaller aspects of savannah life – birds, grasses, and insects – and may even be lucky enough to encounter some larger game en-route.
Village Visits
Guests can visit one of the local Maasai villages to see first hand their way of life. A village guide or your Kicheche guide will give you an interpretive talk during your visit. There is sometimes dancing and traditional souvenirs are on sale. There is a charge of $20 per person.
Community Trust Projects
Kicheche’s Community Project & Naboisho support a number of schools and projects in the greater area, it is usually possible to pay a visit to them. Any educational gifts or donations that you can contribute are an enormous help to the pupils. The Koiyaki Guiding school is within Naboisho, we sponsor two of the students each year and we currently employ many graduates as guides and trainee guides. Further details on our Community Project page.
Hot Air Ballooning
This is a popular excursion in the Masai Mara. Balloons take off early each morning at sunrise and glide over the plains for approximately an hour before landing. Upon touchdown a champagne breakfast is set up before you. The excursion finishes with a game drive back to camp. Price is around US$450 per person and trips can be booked through your tour operator or with the balloon operator.
