Tori77

Has anyone been to the Kicheche camps (I think there are three)? I have been told that Laikipia is new and try as I might, I cannot find much info on it. Are the Mara camp and the Bush camp in the same region? It seems they are...so what's the difference....? Cheers!

sandi

There's a Kicheche Mara and Kicheche Bush camps. The latter is smaller with only 6/tents and more expensive.

Here's link to the Laikipia camp: www.kicheche.com/camps-laikipia.shtm

Leely2

I've been to the Bush Camp and liked it very much. Well located, very remote feeling, good food, comfortable tents, great guides and staff. A number of other guests had come from Laikipia and had enjoyed that too, though one couple said they preferred Masai Mara to Laikipia (this had to do with the parks not the camps themselves).

Tori77

I am thinking of either Bush AND Laikipia so that is good news. I want a change of location/park/game. Thank you!

sangeeta

I was at Kicheche Mara for 10 days in 2005, Tori77 - just when they'd opened (or were planning to open) the Bush camp. The Mara camp had 12 tents at the time, but they were really well spaced and facing away from one another, so I never felt like it was crowded at all. Because we were there for so many days, they gave us a private car after the 1st 3 days and I still think of the guide we had on that trip - Kas - a fount of information and enthusiasm. I think you'll be happy with whichever combination you pick.

Leely2

I think the consensus was to go to Laikipia first because the Mara is so much bigger.

I'd like to take that trip myself.

Leely2

To clarify, I am referring to the parks, not the camps. Laikipia is smaller than the Masai Mara.

Tori77

Leely2, smaller is okay. I hope there is still a lot to see. I think Bush Camp and Mara camps are close to one another and therefore similar gaming but different accommodations(?) I am going with my husband, so romantic/luxury is better.

PacoAhedo

Hi Tori77,

We spent a few days at Kicheche Bush Camp last August and loved it. This camp is located in the Olare Orok Conservancy ( http://www.oocmara.com/ ) with only 2 other small camps in the area.This means very few vehicles in the 15.000 hectares conservancy.
It is also very close to the Mara Reserve , about 30 minutes from Olkiombo airstrip so very easy to get in there.

The Kicheche Mara in in the Mara North Conservancy ( http://www.maranorth.com/ ) and shares the reserve with 10 more camps. I haven´t been there but i think is not as close to the Mara Reserve.

Overall our experience with Kicheche was fantastic so i think you will be happy at any of their properties.

Paco.

sandi

Olare Orok now has 4/camps on this conservancy. And, while Mara North is larger with more camps, at the very south (as if staying at Porini Lion) is as close to the Reserve as would be Olare Orok. Besides if staying on Olare or Mara North, they share tranverse rights, whereas, going into the Reserve itself from either conservancy will incur another park fee.

Lionlove

Thank you for your replies. I have only read great things about Kicheche (all camps) and so this info really confirms it. I like the look of Bush camp a lot, so if location isn't an issue, I may choose it over Kicheche Mara.

lfnaustralia

My sister & I stayed 5 nights in mid August in Little Kicheche.We had booked Kicheche Mara & were offered this.We absolutely loved it.Only 4 tents, max of 4 in the vehicle, great guides, amazing sightings.After staying last year in a lodge in Sabi sands last year, we were a bit concerned about the whole tent & "roughing it" experience,but this is not camping, it's luxury in the middle of the bush!Little kicheche was a few kms from Mara kicheche.Highly recommend & planning to go back

Tori77

Ifnaustralia: I haven't heard of Little Kicheche. I will look it up, thank you for your message!

Leely2

I had heard when I was at Kicheche Bush that they were "splitting" Kicheche Mara into two smaller, more intimate camps. I didn't get any details (and in fact didn't listen very carefully), but perhaps Little Kicheche is the result?

I'd just email them and ask. And please let us know what you learn!

Tori77

I learned that "Little" camp is a smaller, more intimate experience that is offered as an upgrade at the discretion of Kicheche reservations. I suspect they use it mainly to handle overflows. I did see on the website a "Private Camp", so that's what it must be.