Kicheche Camp, Masai Mara, Kenya

Kenya has some delightful, small, well run and close to nature safari choices available.

We stayed in small camps, usually with about 10 luxury tents, avoiding large lodges. A luxury tent means a comfortable spring mattress bed in a tent spacious enough to walk around in, which also has an en suite bathroom with flush toilet, shower and hand basin. They are erected on a concrete floor and include covered veranda with chairs to sit out and watch the world go by. Luxury tents are the best of both worlds - while they are comfortable, you feel close to the wilderness that you’ve come to discover. Learning about the wildlife and the habitat is a big part of these safaris.

The Masai Mara with its teeming wildlife has a choice of Kicheche (described in more detail below), Rikero (almost down to the Tanzanian border deep in the national park) and Little Governors (for those who prefer a larger camp with 18 tents). Game drives are done in open-topped jeeps, which also make you feel closer to the wildlife.

The national parks in Kenya and Tanzania do not permit walking safaris so walkers should head for wildlife areas with a different status. The Lewa Conservation Area, further north in Kenya, offers dramatic walking safaris with Masai guides, porters and cooks supported by camels to carry everything you need. Lewa is in a beautiful part of the country with Mount Kenya as a backdrop.

Norman Hughes, Senior Partner

I was lucky enough to visit Kicheche in January 2003 and had an unforgettable 3 days. The camp provides true escapism from everyday life. There are no outside distractions - it's just you and the Masai Mara!

The tents are spacious and comfortable with the luxury of your own ensuite facilities. The food was of an exceptionally high standard and I really enjoyed the atmosphere of eating dinner by candlelight next to a campfire. Evening entertainment would be provided by the Masai staff with singing and dancing or, alternatively, everyone would sit around the campfire exchanging stories of the day's game viewing.

The game was of course the highlight of the trip with lions, elephants, cheetahs, giraffe, zebra, rhino and an abundance of birdlife and other animals. There were never more than 5 people per vehicle with an experienced local driver/guide from the camp. The length of drive varies from a morning or afternoon viewing to a full day with picnic lunch. There is also an opportunity to arrange either a short walking safari or a walk and overnight fly camping experience.

When in camp we would have a leisurely lunch followed by a relaxing afternoon either reading or sleeping in a hammock under the shade of the trees. By keeping guest numbers low in the camp they retain a feeling of friendliness and intimacy. It also means that you benefit from the knowledge of the guides and have flexibility with the daily schedule.

Norman Hughes, Senior Partner

For more information contact Paul Hinton or Lorraine Davidson 01722 411200