Kenyan Safaris
 

Just wanting to know if anyone has gone on either the Kicheche Mara Camp or Kichwa Tembo Masai Mara Tented Camp in Kenya. What did you think? Which would you prefer? Any other safaris that you would recommend? Also, was wildlife present in abundance? Thanks, MMM

i would definately go for kicheche either mara or bush which is more high-end.

regarding game drives: all kicheche do it UNLIMITED as long as all in the car agree!
especially when it comes to the crossings (july-oct) it's excellent to do day drives!

the tents are excellent and spascious with a wonderful "terrasse" from which you can scan the horizon!

we stayed at "tembo" which is in "first" row. each night there was an elephant visiting! wonderful camp.
we go back - must be our third time - in sep or oct.
it's excellent value for money - still!

extraordinary game viewing. the kicheche pride lives close to the mara camp and the cheetah (offspring of kike) gave birth to her 6 (!!) cubs close to the bush camp 2 years ago but still hangs around that conservancy.
supuu, the leopardess, lives close to kicheche mara camp and the lugga has been her kindergarden for years!

i would go tomorrow! you cannot get wrong!

LOVE IT!

div

to not confuse you:

"tembo" was our tent at kicheche mara camp.
i have not experienced kichwa tembo!

div

I was at both Kicheche camps in the mara in June this year and would have no hesitation in recommending them. Divine54 has made many good points about the camps. Both are much cheaper than most other high end camps in/around the Mara but offer equivalent and often better standards. I've always been surprised at how little they get mentioned on this forum.

Africa fan,

If you would like to share any pricing info, I'd be interested in knowing some Kicheche rates. I'd also be interested in any Mara camps you feel are well located with good guiding that are reasonable. Thank you!

Thr 2009 rates on Kicheche's website are $440 for Mara camp and $490 for Bush camp. This is high season. I think that compares well with most of other small camps in the Mara (Mara camp has 12 tents and Bush has 6 tents). I'm not in the travel business and certainly do not know the prices of every camp in the Mara, but I'd guess only the bigger camps such as Serena and Kichwa Tembo compare.

Of course, neither Kicheche camps are in the reserve proper but my experience was that this didn't diminish the game viewing experience - and the lack of minibuses was a plus.

Personally I really liked the long game drives (I was out at 0615 and not back until after 1200; back out at 1600 returning circa. 1900). This was normal as long as everybody in the vehicle wanted it to be. The only possible downside to either camp I would say is that the views from the tents wasnt that spectacular, although given the length of time out on drives it made little difference to me.

PS - I have no agenda to push for Kicheche, other than really enjoying my time there in June! I'm currently planning a trip to the mara in Feb and am trying to decide on whether to stick with what I know is good (Kicheche) or try somewhere new.

Thanks for the helpful info Africa Fan.