Black Rhino

Whatever the arena, whenever weighing up an adversary, there is much to contemplate: speed, size, number, hunger and risk. When it goes awry it can be disastrous but also spectacular.

For many months now Kicheche has been inundated with constant messages from people utterly thrilled to be back on 'home soil'. Some have counted down the days from many days out and most are not shy on expressing their emotions upon arrival.

Laura and Dan visited all three Mara Conservancies and were kind enough to showcase some images. These two may be close to having a plaque etched for them but they are utterly cognisant that it is the four legged fauna that are really the stars. I'll therefore let them do the talking, you pick your favourite.

Meet Renee Doyle. Finally, after too many years of incarceration she arrives 'home' .... her words: "Visiting Kicheche Bush Camp never short-changes - after 3 long years locked up in Australia, it was a thrill to be back visiting friends, two legged and four, getting a long-awaited bush fix!

There are countless ways to gauge a safari with no defining or burnished template. However, cats are rarely far from the top table. This week's Spot is curated from a burgeoning and brilliant portfolio from a favourite daughter of Kicheche: Charlotte Rhodes.

The one factor that really upgrades a wildlife encounter is action and when this involves two of the major signature species in confrontation it hardens the currency somewhat. Meet the Crosslands, first-time Kichechians out early (obvs) with Peter Njapit and they came across the fabled Marsh Lions in the heart of Mara North Conservancy, rather than their normal Reserve turf. This was an extended bout with the lionesses doing most of the work (sound familiar?).

In sports gnus this week we are delighted to report that our squad is tearing down the wings and up the centre, poised, panting on the edge of the danger area, waiting for the perfect cross. They show a clean pair of heels to most of the opposition and emerge victorious at the end.

RIP FIG 2012 - March 5th 2022 The Queen is dead ...Guides and guests stood by traumatised this evening as a brutal Alpha male invaded a small unthreatening enclave North of the Ntiakntiak river and butchered its inhabitant.Despite brave resistance this leonine tyrant savaged its innocent prey in an unprovoked, un-necessary and seemingly unwarranted attack.

You get forced to postpone your safari three times then you catch the pesky virus yourself. Finally, you arrive and all that hassle is vapourised by Benja's reception committee above camp.  Thanks for your patience and stoicism team Eisenberger, you know it was the right decision when this happens and respect for the spookily intuitive guiding from Mr B. 

Laura Dyer ... take a bow today. This is not her Spot debut, far from it, she and her husband Dan kept travelling to their favourite camps in Africa throughout the lonely days of 2020 and 21. We salute you both but you really have outdone yourselves this time.