🌍 Overview
Kicheche Mara Camp is a timeless, boutique-style safari camp located deep within the Mara North Conservancy, one of Kenya’s most celebrated wildlife havens adjacent to the legendary Masai Mara National Reserve. The camp blends luxury with authenticity, offering exceptional game viewing, attentive service, and a strong commitment to sustainability and community support.
With only eight tents and an intimate, personal atmosphere, Kicheche Mara is ideal for couples, families, photographers, and travelers seeking the real safari experience—unfiltered, immersive, and exclusive.
📍 Location & Accessibility
Kicheche Mara Camp is set in a secluded acacia valley in Mara North Conservancy, a private 74,000-acre conservancy that borders the Masai Mara to the north. The conservancy’s low tourism density policy ensures low vehicle traffic and high-quality wildlife encounters.
How to Get There:
- By Air:
The closest airstrip is Mara North Airstrip, about a 20-minute drive from the camp. Daily scheduled flights are available from Nairobi Wilson Airport (approx. 45 minutes). The camp provides complimentary transfers from the airstrip. - By Road:
Driving from Nairobi takes around 6 hours via Narok. A 4WD vehicle is recommended. This route offers scenic vistas of the Rift Valley, Maasai villages, and countryside plains.
🛏️ Accommodation
Kicheche Mara Camp features eight custom-designed Meru-style tents, widely spaced to ensure privacy, tranquility, and sweeping views of the surrounding bush.
Tent Types:
- 6 Standard Tents:
Each offers king or twin beds, en-suite bathrooms with hot showers, flushing toilets, and a spacious veranda for relaxing between game drives. - 2 Family Suites:
These are ideal for groups or families and feature two bedrooms (one double and one twin/triple), two en-suite bathrooms, and a shared lounge area. Guests can request private dining in the family suite.
Tent Features:
- Solar-powered lighting and hot water
- Mosquito netting and insect-proof design
- Private veranda with safari seating
- Laundry service (included)
- Writing desk and shelves for gear
- Charging stations available in the main tent
There is no Wi-Fi in the tents, encouraging guests to disconnect and embrace the rhythm of the wilderness. Wi-Fi is available in the lounge for those who need it.
💵 2025 Rates (Per Person Per Night, Full Board)
| Travel Season | Rate (USD) |
|---|---|
| Jan 1 – Jan 2 | $869 |
| Jan 3 – Feb 28 | $730 |
| Mar 1 – Apr 5 | $625 |
| Apr 6 – May 23 | Camp Closed |
| May 24 – Jun 30 | $625 |
| Jul 1 – Oct 31 | $915 |
| Nov 1 – Dec 19 | $625 |
| Dec 20 – Dec 31 | $915 |
Child Policy:
Children aged 0–3 stay free. Children 4–12 sharing with adults are charged 50% of adult rate. A minimum age of 7 years is required to join shared game drives.
✅ Inclusions
- Full-board accommodation (3 meals daily)
- Local drinks (soft drinks, house wine, beers)
- Shared game drives with professional guides
- Guided bush walks (age restrictions apply)
- Return airstrip transfers
- Daily laundry service
- Conservancy contribution to local community and wildlife protection
❌ Exclusions
- Mara North Conservancy fees (~$120 per adult per night, $60 per child)
- Tourism development levy (~$1.50 per person per night)
- Hot air balloon safaris (available at extra cost)
- Premium imported alcoholic beverages
- Travel insurance, tips, and personal expenses
🍽️ Dining & Cuisine
Dining at Kicheche Mara Camp is a delightful experience. Meals are served al fresco under the stars, in the mess tent, or privately on request.
- Breakfast: Buffet and à la carte, often packed as a bush breakfast during game drives.
- Lunch: Light meals and salads, served buffet-style.
- Dinner: Multi-course plated meals, often enjoyed communally under the stars.
- Special Diets: Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and other dietary needs are accommodated with prior notice.
The camp also offers bush picnics and sundowner setups in scenic wilderness locations.
🐘 Activities & Safari Experiences
Kicheche Mara Camp provides a diverse and thrilling range of safari experiences designed to immerse guests in nature, culture, and conservation.
Game Drives:
- Twice-daily shared or private game drives in open 4×4 vehicles.
- Conducted by experienced silver-level guides.
- Mara North is rich in wildlife including lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, hyenas, giraffes, and more.
- Excellent predator viewing and seasonal wildebeest migration (July–October).
Guided Bush Walks:
- Short nature walks with armed rangers (ideal for older children and active adults).
- Learn about tracking, insects, flora, birdlife, and Maasai cultural uses of plants.
Night Game Drives:
- Available on request within the conservancy.
- Spot nocturnal animals like genets, porcupines, civets, and nightjars.
Fly Camping:
- For the adventurous, enjoy a night under canvas in a lightweight mobile camp set in the bush. Fully hosted with meals and guards.
Cultural Visits:
- Authentic visits to neighboring Maasai villages support local communities and provide insight into traditional lifestyles, crafts, and culture.
🧒 Family-Friendliness
Kicheche Mara Camp warmly welcomes families, particularly those with children over 6. Its family suite and knowledgeable guides make it suitable for families wanting an educational, safe, and fun wildlife experience.
- Child-friendly meals available
- Flexible drive times for families
- Private guiding available on request
- Maasai-led cultural lessons and storytelling for kids
💬 Guest Reviews & Feedback
Guests frequently praise Kicheche Mara Camp for:
✔️ The exceptional guiding and intimate game drives
✔️ Delicious food and warm, personal service
✔️ Intimate atmosphere with personalized touches
✔️ Excellent wildlife sightings even near the camp
✔️ Responsible tourism and conservation support
What guests mention for improvement:
- No spa or swimming pool (camp is focused on traditional safari luxury)
- No Wi-Fi in tents (intentional, but a surprise for some)
- Camp closes during April-May rains for maintenance
🌿 Conservation & Sustainability
Kicheche Mara Camp operates under strong eco-principles and is part of the Mara North Conservancy, which is a model for wildlife conservation through responsible tourism.
- Fully solar-powered camp
- Locally sourced produce and staff
- Supports local Maasai landowners through lease fees and employment
- Partners with conservation groups for anti-poaching and education
- Minimal environmental footprint with low-impact infrastructure
📆 Best Time to Visit
| Season | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Jan–Mar | Quiet season, lush landscapes, excellent for predators |
| Jun–Oct | Peak season, Great Migration, best weather |
| Nov–Dec | Green season, birding, fewer crowds |
| Apr–May | Long rains, camp closed |
🏆 Why Choose Kicheche Mara Camp?
✔️ Located in a prime wildlife conservancy with excellent privacy
✔️ Limited guest numbers ensure personalized service
✔️ Top-tier guiding with Silver-level certified guides
✔️ Strong sustainability values and community involvement
✔️ Offers bush walks, fly camping, and authentic cultural experiences
✔️ Ideal for photographers, nature lovers, couples, and families