The Wight Stuff

On meeting Joyce the first thing you notice is her smile: broad, genuine & warm. And as the saying goes, “a smile is a curve that sets everything straight!” Each morning, with this in mind, Joyce lines up her range of cold cappuccinos, iced coffees and thirst-quenching special lemonades which slake the thirsts of her dusty safari guests. As the “Kenyan winter” strikes, Joyce swiftly switches to choc-mocha-rula which is better known as the Ranger’s Special. It is, like her, pretty special.

Danielle is highly experienced in the hospitality world having worked on private islands, superyachts, ski resorts, safari lodges and camps in Namibia, Botswana and Kenya. She is delighted to be back in Kenya, in the wildlife haven of Olare Motorogi, and looks forward to meeting and hosting our treasured repeat guests and new visitors alike.

Ann has a long pedigree in tourism, particularly in the safari arena. Multi-skilled and talented there is little she does not know about hospitality. She cares deeply about the environment and indeed Kicheche and within days had swallowed our ethical DNA whole. One day, a long time ago someone saw her without a smile on her face, she must have been tired, we are very pleased and proud to have her as part of the team.

Dido means “one who is born on the open plains.” He is passionate about people, communities, wildlife, and environmental conservation, and he loves working in the bush because it allows him to combine all of his interests. At 36 of age, he has a wide range of experiences from his twelve years of work in tourism and hospitality. Dido is a cohesive team leader and proactive in managing operations to ensure that everything runs smoothly.

Boniface Macharia was born with organisational DNA coursing through his veins, very fortunate for Kicheche. He has a sense of humour I am delighted to say that borders on wickedness and a deep love of the bush.

He has huge hospitality management experience across all of East Africa but says he is happiest in the heart of Mara North Conservancy.

They have made Kicheche Bush their own. Kenya is their home and Bush Camp their back yard. They have been with us approaching ten years and have a loyal following not bettered anywhere in Kenya. Nothing is from the text book with these two which is what makes them such superb company. They are both marvellous company, comedians and raconteurs in their own right and passionately proprietary about their Conservancy.

Louise and her faithful companion Splodge (a three legged terrier … ask her) are a popular and experienced fixture at Kicheche Laikipia. Here in the high plains of Northern Kenya a camp like this demands a charismatic and knowledgeable manager and Louise ticks both these boxes. She manages a disparate band of Kenyans and the fantastic atmosphere and classy charm of the camp are testament to her.

She is also extremely good company and runs a tight ship without ever making it look like work, which, of course it is.

With her captivating and winning smile, Minnie strives to make every guest’s worry her own at the Kicheche Valley Camp. The sunrise in the Mara inspires, energizes, and renews her avidity to offer guests an indelible stay. Her extensive background in managing camps makes her a fitting piece to our puzzle!

Greg’s Yin to his yang, Paul is a guide with a huge following, a photographer of international renown and has worked in tour operating for 35 years. He is according to the Sunday Times ‘preposterously vivacious, a man of psychotic gusto’. Greg and Paul somehow still get on and it is not just about supporting the same football side.

She brings a huge amount of experience to Kicheche and has run operations for many safari outfits in her past. She is smart, intelligent and astute and adds Gallic flair to an already competent office.

There are foot soldiers and there are officers, somehow this diligent colossus manages to be both of them managing with a light touch. ‘Milcah is my go-to person and I will happily steal her off you’ is a recent comment, enough said.

Donna Goldstein has been with Kicheche since inception and has looked after much of our Online Marketing and all of our fertile social media channels. She has also run camps with Paul in the Mara and is very popular with staff – ‘Mama Safari’ being their affectionate name.

Cheerful and thorough, a ray of light in the Nairobi office.

Based at Kicheche Mara, will inspire guests with the work we do to empower communities for a better tomorrow.

There are foot soldiers and there are officers, somehow this diligent colossus manages to be both of them managing with a light touch. ‘Milcah is my go-to person and I will happily steal her off you’ is a recent comment, enough said.

The boss who started Kicheche over 18 years ago with his friend Paul. Greg is a Silver qualified guide as well as having 25+ years of travel experience. He is chairman of Olare Motorogi Conservancy and a big figure in the safari business in Kenya. Not bad for a skinny, pale boy from New Zealand.

By the time her guests pack their bags for their Kicheche safari, they are friends.

Mr Obaga or, to give him his proper title: Mr President has been with Kicheche a long while, cutting his teeth in our Northern camp before earning his management stripes there. He was and is an outstanding guide and has levels of knowledge which are frankly astonishing. He is interesting, well-read and also both compassionate and kind. He fully deserves the keys to Kicheche Mara Camp and works tremendously hard to ensure everyone maximises their time in this beautiful Conservancy.

Proud and perceptive Andrew is a big part of the Kicheche DNA and fully earns his grand sobriquet.

Starting with Kicheche Laikipia as a staff cook in 2011, William has worked his way through the ranks to become Laikipia Camp’s head barman and waiter. He has also recently qualified as a KSPGA Silver guide, and will no doubt continue to rise through the Kicheche family in this imminent new position.

Since the building of Kicheche Laikipia camp, the staff have kept bees, and William has always been in charge of this staff project. Starting with 3 hives back in 2011, and now with 8 presently, the Laikipia bees have always given a very decent yearly harvest of honey. The harvested honey is then sold on to the camp by the staff. In 2020, they harvested over 85kg of honey from these camp hives.

Starting with Kicheche Laikipia as a staff cook in 2011, William has worked his way through the ranks to become Laikipia Camp’s head barman and waiter. He has also recently qualified as a KSPGA Silver guide, and will no doubt continue to rise through the Kicheche family in this imminent new position.

Since the building of Kicheche Laikipia camp, the staff have kept bees, and William has always been in charge of this staff project. Starting with 3 hives back in 2011, and now with 8 presently, the Laikipia bees have always given a very decent yearly harvest of honey. The harvested honey is then sold on to the camp by the staff. In 2020, they harvested over 85kg of honey from these camp hives.

Documents needed:

2 copies of your passport (the first 3 pages) & carry your originals
if divorced : 2 copies of your divorce papers (decree absolute) in English & carry the originals
2 copies of your birth certificates & carry your originals (however this might not be 100% required)
copy of your itinerary in Kenya and copy of your air tickets (carry your originals)
if single : Certificate from your Government or an A/D from Lawyers that you are indeed free to marry (carry originals to be safe)
a letter stating the FULL names, address and occupation of the couple and both their parents.

Note: We suggest we get copies of the above set WELL in advance so we can check with the registrar and have them perused in advance.
Cost valid until 20TH December 2019: USD $ 2430

This includes:

Verifications with relevant authorities of the wedding documents required
Wedding license; if cases where bride & groom are required to appear, an escort to Sheria House and assistance with wedding license application
Collection & dispatch of the wedding license
Marriage officer transport & allowances
Nice wedding setting in the shade of trees
Table decorations & bush wedding cake at dinner time
Sparkling wine
Kicheche Bride bouquet
Masaai dancers (time to be chosen i.e during wedding, sundowners or dinner)
Tree planting ceremony (symbol of fertility but also carbon-footprint reduction)

NB: Arrangement can be made to enable guest to use their hair dryer or hair tongs.

This excludes:

Professional photographer
Flowers other than the ones offered as Kicheche bride bouquet, as certain flowers not available in Mara
Marquises, tents
Band, Music

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