Kicheche Mara camp hotel is located on the Aitong Plains in the northern Koiyaki Lemek region of the famous Masai Mara Reserve in Kenya. Kicheche Mara Camp is a classic tented camp hidden in a grove of wild olive and croton trees in a prime wildlife area of the northern Mara plains. The camp is fully hosted and limited to twenty two guests. Unfenced and secluded in a thicket of Euclea and African Olives, Kicheche impinges so little on the natural inhabitants of this prolific reserve that animals wander through the grounds at any time unperturbed
Your hosts are Andy and Sonja Webb - both having a wealth of experience in the Africa bush tented camp. Andy is a qualified professional guide from Zimbabwe who has been in the safari business for 20 years. Sonja looks after the camp presentation, administration and is a brilliant cook, constantly in the kitchen with the chefs developing new menus.
Kicheche Mara camp hotel accommodation
Kicheche Mara Camp prides itself on offering a friendly and relaxing stay, with the hosts treating you as welcomed guests, not mere travel statistics.
To maintain this intimate and relaxed atmosphere there is a maximum of twenty-two guests at any time.
11 Spacious, fully insect-proof Selous style tents equipped with proper beds, linen, bedside tables, luggage racks and rugs. Bathrooms are en-suite and are equipped with a dresser, shower and flushing toilet. There are canvas director's chairs on the veranda and hammocks slung between nearby trees to relax in; low wattage lighting is supplied 24 hours.
The majority of the tents are in secluded positions overlooking the plains and nearby hills, while others are closer together for families or friends. The spacious Nyati tent acts as the camp lounge with comfortable seating, a library, board games, cards and local crafts.
The whole camp is focused towards creating most minimal impact on the environment. Shower style at Kicheche Mara Camp is bucket.
All meals and drinks are inclusive in your stay and taken alfresco in a clearing overlooking the plains or, in the event of bad weather, in the spacious dining tent. The cuisine is Western/European with occasional African dishes and hygiene standards are high. We can cater for special dietary requirements however
please notify us in advance. Mineral water is provided in each tent every day. You will be woken with tea, coffee or hot chocolate & biscuits brought to their tent. An early morning game drive sets off at sunrise and returns to the camp late morning where a leisurely breakfast is taken outside in the morning sunlight. Lunch is also served al-fresco in the shade of an olive tree. Dinner is served by candlelight al-fresco or in the dining tent.
Children are accepted, but adults must be aware that the camp is not fenced and no additional facilities are available to occupy them outside the normal excursions. Please note that the camp is not conducive to infants and no baby equipment such as cots and high chairs are provided. Tents can be converted to triples on request (third bed recommended for child only)
Kicheche Mara supports the local community through employment, along with in-house training for staff in a number of different areas. The camp also facilitates the selling of local crafts made by the staff, to guests. Educating the staff on the importance of maintaining the culture and environmental eco systems within the Masai Mara. Financial support goes to the local communities through the payment of entry fees for each guest and lease fees for the camp grounds. Kicheche aims to provide a meaningful and challenging work environment for employees, including an opportunity for their education, personal growth and development.
Part of Kicheche's community involvement is to provide guests with the best possible exposure to the ecology and culture of the Masai Mara, through interactive walks and village visits.
The environmental footprint of the camp is kept to a minimum by the collection of rainwater at all main run off points i.e. outside the kitchen, staff canteen, staff quarters and garage. The water is then utilized for staff showers, cleaning the staff canteen and kitchen, and in the laundry. Used water from these sources is then recycled where possible, i.e. for cleaning game viewing vehicles, watering gardens and grounds. Non-biodegradable waste like glass, plastic and tin are separated into various dustbins and once a week sent back to Nairobi on the re-supply truck for disposal. Waste bins are in place around the camp and emptied daily into larger bins in an enclosed cage to keep out and protect the wildlife. I.e, baboons, monkeys, hyena and elephants. There is no electrical power, but 24 hour lighting and battery charging is supplied through solar power. Recycled charcoal dust pellets are brought in from Nairobi for water heating.
Kicheche Mara camp hotel Activities
During the heat of the day you may relax in a hammock and appreciate the silence, punctuated only by birdcalls. Alternatively, utilize the in-house reference library in the Nyati tent, which has an excellent selection of books. An afternoon game drive departs around 1600h after tea and returns after sundown when you can freshen and join other guests around the campfire for a pre-dinner drink. Take a nightcap by the fire before retiring. Escorted walks are available from the camp and are a very popular excursion.
Game driving is available throughout the area and your program is arranged daily with your guide and trips to the local Maasai villages are on offer for those interested in Kenya’s unique culture. It is possible to visit the nearby Aitong town (market day is on Fridays) or a local nursery school supported by the Community Project.
There are a number of escorted nature walks available from the camp. All walks are escorted by a professional guide with a radio, and an armed ranger. Walks are included in package tariff.
Kicheche Mara Camp is accessible by daily scheduled flights from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport an other safari destinations on your itinerary into the Ngerende airstrip, approximately a 30 minute drive from camp.
