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For visitors coming to Kenya for the first time, there are many
unanswered questions — what do we pack, what facilities
are available and so on. To make your visit a truly relaxing and
well-prepared one, here are the answers to all those questions.
All the information contained herein is given in good faith and
has been carefully compiled. It must be accepted that details
will change from time to time! And of course, please feel free
to contact us with any questions you may still have.
Location
Kicheche Bush Camp is located in the newly established Olare
Orok Conservancy (created from Koiyaki Group Ranch lands) the
Masai Mara Reserve, approximately one hour drive from Kicheche
Mara Camp. The camp is located in a prime wildlife area and game
viewing starts right from the camp itself. The location is also
ideal to experience the wildebeest migration.
Access
By air : A scheduled one hour flight from Nairobi’s Wilson
Airport to Mara OL-KIOMBO airstrip. Flights depart twice a day
at 10am and 3pm.
Ex-Mombasa: A daily service departs at 07h30 and departs the Mara
at 13h30.
Ex Naivasha: A daily service departs at 15h00
Ex Samburu: A daily service departs at 0915
Ex Nanyuki: A daily service departs at 1000
The camp is a 30-minute game drive from the airstrip.
Note : Luggage allowance 15kg per person only, in soft luggage
bags. Excess luggage is charged at approx $5 per kilo.
By road: 5½ hours drive from Nairobi.
Description
The camp is a classic, intimate, luxury bush camp completely
unfenced, accommodating a maximum of only twelve guests, under
canvas. The camp will be fully hosted and run to the same impeccable
standards of Kicheche Mara Camp
Accommodation
Spacious, fully insect-proof custom designed tents (6 twins or
/doubles), equipped with Podocarpus beds, Egyptian cotton linen,
bedside tables, luggage racks and Indian rugs. Bathrooms are en-suite
and are equipped with a dresser, safari bucket shower, a flushing
toilet and a washbasin with running water. There are very comfortable
chairs on the veranda of each tent where you can watch the world
go by.
One tent can be converted to a triple on request.
Dining tent
A large open sided dining tent, overlooking the plains also hosts
a relaxing lounge area with a selection of reference books and
a small curio shop selling mostly the work of the local Maasai
staff members.
Meals and Drinks
All meals and drinks are inclusive and most meals are taken alfresco,
beneath the shade of the acacia trees or underneath the stars
or in our dining tent. We have a fully stocked bar with a range
of wines. Drinks are included with the meals. Picnic breakfasts
and lunches are also available on game driving excursions.
Laundry
Included in the rate is a daily laundry service. Please note
this is a bush laundry that cannot cope with delicate items of
clothing.
Power & Lighting
There is no mains power however each tent has its own 24 hour
solar lighting system. Camera and Video batteries can also be
charged on the central system in the dining tent. The inverter
system is backed up with a generator.
Climate
The long rains are from early April through to May, and the short
rains in November. The coolest time of year is from Jun-Aug when
temperatures are low in the morning hours.
Dry seasons offer more reliable road conditions though game viewing
is excellent year round. Please bear in mind over the past few
years the weather patterns in the Masai Mara, and Kenya in general,
have changed and are somewhat unpredictable.
Bush Camp is a seasonal camp and is closed Mar- May & Nov.
Clothing
Generally speaking Kenya is cooler than most people expect for
a region on the equator, this is due to the altitude (1500-2000
metres) over much of the area. Therefore it is advisable to have
a warm jacket or jumper for cool mornings. During the day however
it is usually quite warm.
Natural safari colours are recommended especially if you are
game walking, they are also ideal to conceal the African dust!
Good walking shoes/ boots will be useful if you intend to walk.
A sun hat, sunglasses, lotion, lip balm and skin moisturiser are
important to counteract the sun, wind and dry conditions.
Safety
Safety is of paramount importance and therefore askaris (night-watchmen)
patrol the camp at regular intervals after dark. Guests are advised
to remain in their tent after dark, and will be escorted between
their tent and the lounge/dining areas by a staff member. Each
tent is equipped with a radio to call for assistance in case of
emergency.
Each vehicle is equipped with a radio for communications with
camp and the camp is in contact with the Nairobi office on a daily
basis. Flying Doctors’ medical evacuation planes can be
called in the event of an emergency.
Children
We accept children but adults must be aware that our camp is
not fenced and no additional facilities are available to occupy
them outside our normal excursions. No baby equipment is provided.
Souvenirs
There is a camp souvenir shop where all handicrafts are made
by the families of camp staff and all profits go directly to them.
There is also a selection of clothing, maps and miscellaneous
items.
Health
Kenya is a malaria zone therefore guests should consult their
doctor about prophylactic measures before travelling. Guests should
also be covered by comprehensive travel insurance.
Vehicles
Game-viewing drives are conducted by open-sided and open roofed
customised 4WD Land Cruiser vehicles. Game drives are shared with
other guests though exclusive use of a vehicle is available at
an extra charge.
Daily Routine
Guests are woken up with tea, coffee or hot chocolate & home
made biscuits brought to their tent. An early morning game drive
sets off at sunrise and returns to camp late morning. Breakfast
is a leisurely affair usually taken outside around the lounge
area or as a picnic on the game drive. After lunch, set under
the acacias, you can relax under the shade of your veranda and
enjoy the silence, only punctuated by birdcalls. Alternatively,
utilize our reference books in the lounge area. An afternoon game
drive departs after tea, i.e. around 4 pm and returns as darkness
falls after enjoying sundowners on the plains. Freshen up and
then join the other guests around the camp fire for pre-dinner
drinks. Dinner is served by candle light either under the stars
or in the dining tent. End the evening with a nightcap by the
fire before retiring.
Activities
Game driving is available throughout the area and your program
is arranged daily with your guide. Trips to the local Maasai villages
are on offer for those interested in Kenya’s unique culture.
There are a number of escorted nature walks available from the
camp. All walks are escorted by a Kicheche guide with a radio,
and an armed ranger. Walks are included in our package tariff.
We operate an overnight fly camp on request. Guests leave on foot
in the afternoon from camp and walk to a bush camp that has been
set up consisting of dome tents and a single bush shower and toilet.
Upon arrival, guests can enjoy drinks around the fire and a three
course meal for dinner. Guests depart for the Bush camp on foot,
shortly after breakfast, the following morning.
Photography
It is highly recommended to bring a camera with a zoom lens
of at least 200mm for wildlife shots. A bean bag or jumper is
useful to rest your camera on for shooting in low light (tripods
are too cumbersome for use in a vehicle). We have several locally
made bean bags at the camp however, if you wish to come bring
your own it can be filled at camp. Although there is a small supply
of film available at camp it is recommended to bring your own.
Don’t forget to bring a spare camera battery. Recharging
facilities are available for digital cameras and videos (230V
5oHz). Another important item to bring is a pair of binoculars.
It is worth buying a pair if you unable to borrow. Small compact
binoculars are fine and handy to carry around however a larger
(e.g. 7x50) pair will be superior in the low light conditions
in the morning and evening when most game drives take place. Always
ask permission before taking photographs of people.
Environmental Policy
We have minimised our impact on the environment through the following
measures: all non-biodegradable waste is removed from the region
to a suitable collection point in Nairobi, recycled charcoal dust
pellets are brought in from Nairobi for water heating. Solar panels
are used to generate power for all lighting and refrigeration.
Tipping
It is customary to tip your guide and camp staff however it is
not compulsory and tips should only be given if you are satisfied
with the service provided.
Payments at camp We accept credit card payments (AMEX, VISA and
MASTER CARD) or cash (EURO, USD, GBP and Kenya Shilling). There
is a safety deposit box at camp where all valuables can be kept.
Communications
There is a mobile signal from the Celtel network at camp however
mobile phone usage is restricted in the camp public areas and
on game drives. There is an unreliable e-mail connection at camp
therefore all communications should be routed via the Nairobi
office (as per our normal contact details). In the event of an
emergency again contact the Nairobi office, outside office hours
the camp may sometimes be available on +254736699952. Kenya is
GMT +3 hours and does not have summertime/daylight savings.
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