AREA & ACTIVITIES

Habitat & Wildlife
The Masai Mara ecosystem is one of the best game viewing areas in Africa and is especially good for viewing the big cats. Elephants, buffalo, hippo, crocodiles, giraffe, zebra, lion, leopard, cheetah, spotted hyaena, impala, gazelles, eland, waterbuck, topi, jackal and serval are all common and seen regularly. Rhino are found in certain areas, and wild dogs are more transient visitors. The famous wildebeest and zebra migration is usually in residence from mid-July through to mid-October, though the movement of the animals is always somewhat unpredictable. The scenery of the Masai Mara is stunning with open grassland plains intersected by rivers, rocky ridges and pockets of riverine forest. Birdlife is varied and especially good around the riverine woodland areas.

Whilst the official Masai Mara Game Reserve can be busy with tourist vehicles in places, especially at river crossings in migration season, the Naboisho Conservancy offers relative exclusivity away from the crowds. You do sometimes still see other vehicles, but most of the time you will be able to explore away from other vehicles. The Conservancy offers a good mix of open plains, rocky hills and acacia woodland, and is superb for game viewing.

The conservancy is funded by a limited number of ‘tourism partners’ in cooperation with local Maasai land-owners, and this model has been shown to benefit not only the local land-owners who receive greater income and better pasture for their livestock, and the tourism partners, but also the wildlife and in particular, the predators.

Activities
The main activity at Kicheche Valley is game drives through the Naboisho Conservancy and to a lesser extent into the official Mara Game Reserve. Unlike the other Kicheche Camps in the Mara region, night drives are available in the Naboisho Conservancy and available from Kicheche Valley. Cultural excursions are possible to local Maasai villages. Guided walks are also offered, giving a different perspective to the drives and the chance to stretch your legs after many hours spent in vehicles! Fly-camping in the bush is an option too as a one night experience, usually combined with a walking safari to and from camp (this is an extra cost).

Seasons
Kicheche Valley is open all year round except for April and May and it usually also closes for a few weeks between mid-November and early December. Game viewing is excellent throughout the year, with the migration usually in residence from mid-July to mid-October.