Safari pick · best fit
Mara Conservancies & Diani Reef
Kicheche Valley + Kicheche Bush Olare + Waterlovers · Wed, Jan 27 – Tue, Feb 9, 2027 (Wed–Tue, 14 days; any dates Jan 6–Feb 20 price the same)
Where we stay
| Camp / lodge | Nights | Size | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kicheche Valley Naboisho | 3 | 6 (5 + 1 family suite) | Tripadvisor 5.0 (243); Google 4.9 (56) |
| Kicheche Bush Olare | 3 | 6 (5 + 1 family suite) | Tripadvisor 5.0 (570); Google 4.9 (31) |
| Waterlovers Beach Resort, Diani | 4 | 10 units (8 suites, 1 villa, 1 penthouse) | Tripadvisor 4.9 (868, #1 of 46 Diani); Google 4.7 (214) |
- Bed
- 🛏 Double / king — confirm in writingKicheche Valley and Bush both have double tents; Waterlovers suites have four-poster doubles. Ask for the double set-up at each camp (and a king at the Nairobi hotel).
- Route
- Nairobi (1) → Mara Naboisho Conservancy (3) → Olare Motorogi Conservancy (3) → Diani Beach, Kenya coast (4)
- Meals
- Kicheche full board incl. drinks, picnics, laundry; Waterlovers half board (lunches budgeted)
- Vehicle
- Private vehicle for the two of us at both camps (included in the total, +$2,100)
- Diving
- Diving The Crab, Diani (PADI 5-Star): 4 dives ≈ $260 pp incl. gear (computer extra) and hotel transfers; last dive ≥ 24 h before flying
- Reviews
- Kicheche Valley TA 5.0/243 (Service 5.0, Value 4.8), Google 4.9/56; Bush Olare TA 5.0/570, Google 4.9/31; Waterlovers TA 4.9/868, Google 4.7/214 (seaweed at low tide some weeks); Diving The Crab TA 4.6/149, Google 4.6/170
Why
- Two 6-tent camps rated 5.0 on Tripadvisor
- Bride stays 50% off at Kicheche Valley + massage + bush dinner
- Night drives, walks, balloon; conservancy vehicle limits
- Lowest motion exposure and biggest budget cushion (room for a private vehicle)
- Dry season; flexible dates across the whole window
Trade-offs
- Kicheche’s 50% bride discount applies at Kicheche Valley only
- No wildebeest calving (that’s Tanzania’s draw in Feb)
- Availability not yet confirmed — enquire this week
- Yellow-fever vaccination needed for Kenya
Sources (16)
- kicheche.com https://kicheche.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2027-Kicheche-Camps-RACK-Rates.pdf
- kicheche.com https://kicheche.com/rates-and-specials/
- kicheche.com https://kicheche.com/kicheche-valley-naboisho/
- kicheche.com https://kicheche.com/kicheche-bush-olare/
- swissafrican.com https://www.swissafrican.com/en/kenya/camps/kicheche-bush-camp/
- africanmeccasafaris.com https://www.africanmeccasafaris.com/travel-guide/kenya/accommodation/mombasa/south-coast/w…
- safarisoko.com https://safarisoko.com/route/masai-mara-musiara-to-ukunda-diani/
- flymara.com https://flymara.com/safarilink-flights-to-masai-mara/
- beyondtheplainssafaris.com https://www.beyondtheplainssafaris.com/blogs/balloon-safari
- calicojacks.co.ke https://calicojacks.co.ke/best-time-to-dive-diani/
- kayak.com https://www.kayak.com/flights/BOS-NBO/2027-01-13/2027-01-25?sort=bestflight_a
- tripadvisor.com https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g19945123-d2304664-Reviews-Kicheche_Camps-Naboish…
- tripadvisor.com https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g294209-d646627-Reviews-Kicheche_Bush_Olare-Maasa…
- tripadvisor.com https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g775870-d1403906-Reviews-Waterlovers_Beach_Resort…
- tripadvisor.com https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g775870-d3404251-Reviews-Diving_The_Crab-Dia…
- wwwnc.cdc.gov https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/kenya
Photos (113)
Grouped by where we’d stay, in trip order. ★ Our room marks the room or tent type we’d book. Click any photo for full screen (← → or swipe; Esc to close).