TORTILIS ENTERS THE SOLAR SYSTEM: KENYA CAMP IS GOING FULL ON SOLAR POWER

Cheli & Peacock is proud to announce as of June 1, 2014, Tortilis Camp operates on 100% solar power 24 hours a day. The Kenya luxury camp joins other Cheli & Peacock properties, Kitich Camp and Elephant Pepper Camp, as fully powered by solar energy. The C&P Portfolio’s seven high end camps are ecologically and sustainability-minded, partially or fully powered by solar panels. The long-term goal is for all to join the exclusive 100% club.

Until now, the luxury camp generated its own power with a diesel generator, which ran for eight hours. The switch to solar power will help the camp save up to 7,400 gallons of diesel a year, dropping a sizeable amount of CO2 emissions per year. A total of 190 solar panels are installed, enough to power 48 batteries for night usage. The unobtrusive panels are only visible from the air so guests may enjoy silent, green energy.

Tortilis Camp was one of the first “eco-lodges” of its kind in East Africa, and is currently certified with a prestigious Silver Eco-rating. The camp has an exemplary sustainable tourism policy, which includes leasing and managing the 30,000 acre private Kitirua Conservancy, with the local community benefiting directly from tourism, and preserving the Amboseli eco-system.

Tortilis Camp, situated in Amboseli National Park, has 16 standard tents, a family tent and a private house, all with breathtaking views of snow-capped Mt. Kilimanjaro and numerous elephant families that populate the area.

Rates start at $490 per person sharing per night and include all meals, Kitirua Conservation fees, guided bush walks, bush breakfasts and sundowners, local airstrip transfers and limited laundry. For more information, visit www.tortilis.com or email info@chelipeacock.co.ke.

FROM BOOK TO MOVIE TO FOUNDATION: BORN FREE CELEBRATES 30th ANNIVERSARY WITH “BORN FREE SAFARI”

KENYA (04/2014) – Cheli & Peacock’s nine-day “Born Free Safari” in rugged Kenya has the honor of partnering with celebrity turned conservationist, Virginia McKenna, who after starring in the film Born Free, founded the Born Free Foundation. The nonprofit organization sponsors projects to save, rescue and protect wildlife around the world. To celebrate its 30^th Anniversary, all bookings for this safari result in donations towards the foundation and its mission to help wildlife everywhere. The October 22 – 31, 2014 journey is $6,345 per person sharing, excluding international flights.

From best-selling book to Academy Award-winning movie, Born Free has captured the hearts of many. It is the story of Joy and George Adamson who reintroduced a captive animal to its Kenyan home, a relationship forged between lioness and man and the first success story in history documented for the world to remember.

Elsa’s Kopje – the location where Elsa the lioness was reintroduced to the wild and one of the areas where Born Free was filmed. Dine and partake in talks with Virginia McKenna on her experience working with lions and Elsa’s owners on set. There’s a moment she knew Elsa had changed her life forever.

A bush breakfast takes place by Elsa’s grave within Meru National park during one of many spectacular safaris. Elsa was accepted into the wild, her legacy continuing through her cubs and seen in her DNA documented in lions, today.

Joy’s Camp – Elsa’s Kopje’s sister camp. The “Milestone Safari” continues to the place where Joy Adamson relocated and reintroduced another cat, Penny the leopard. Guest speakers will give talks and show films on the history of Joy’s Camp and the surrounding area. They enhance your view of the owner’s life, the continued reintroduction of other animals and the surrounding Samburu region.

Tortilis Camp – a luxury lodge witness to Born Free Foundation projects within the dusty plains of Amboseli. The region is known for its elephant population consisting of large groups of families – this includes a world famous group with two Born Free adopted elephants. Visit elephant expert Cynthia Moss’ research center where Cynthia’s vital work has been funded by Born Free for 22 years. A visit to Born Free’s Lion-proof bomas project is included – a project initiated in 2010 to combat conflict between local pastoralists and lions with the use of bomas (night enclosures).

The final day in Kenya is commemorated with a farewell lunch with the Born Free Kenya team in a country where one historic event sparked conservation missions around the world.

Born Free Foundation continues the vision the Adamsons had with Elsa the lioness, and the vision McKenna has today: a lifetime commitment to wildlife.

The “Born Safari” includes accommodation at Elsa’s Kopje, Joy’s Camp and Tortilis Camp; and all internal flights, conservation/ park fees, game drives, bush walks, bush meals, sundowners, membership to Flying Doctors Society, laundry and airstrip transfers. For more information, visit www.chelipeacock.com or email info@chelipeacock.co.ke.

SECRETS OF A SKY ISLAND: MATHEWS FOREST FLOURISHES AS PROTECTED ECOSYSTEM

SAMBURU, Kenya (04/2014) Mathews Forest is more pristine than ever, marking its 50^th year as a Kenyan Forest Reserve. What’s remarkable is this isolated ecosystem, a tropical mountain forest, in the Northern Frontier District, is accessible as a travel getaway – and it’s malaria-free. Those who seek off-the beaten path destinations direct themselves to Kitich Camp, the only property within the sky island. This is a place where secrets are still being unraveled by scientists, new species discovered. This is a place where cars are left behind. And, this is a place where your guides are the Samburu and Ndorobo people, who grew up by the dense forest and granite outcrops.

To hear that there are no roads is unheard of. Fortunately, this makes for the best kind of safari: guided forest walks through unmarked terrain.  You’ll be one of maximum 12 guests in the surrounding area, hoping to glimpse one of the endemic species.

Mathews Range is one of the very few areas where you can see the rare De Brazza Monkey outside of the Rwenzori Mountains. The biological island is also home to melanistic leopards (black panthers), forest elephants, more than 150 species of butterflies, uncounted species of wild orchids and endemic giant cycads whose origins reach back 280 million years.

Locals do not live within the forest, as it is respected by elders as a valuable resource that helps sustain life in the dry savanna below. They are more than happy to share their culture and treasured ecosystem – both things Kitich Camp and Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy aim to preserve. As a key tourism partner of Namunyak, Kitich Camp pays conservancy fees directly to the community, working with them on a grassroots level.

On the upper slopes of the Mathews Mountain Range, Kitich Camp features six traditional en-suite safari tents, all with exceptional views of the lush Ngeng River, and a main lounge that overlooks the floodlit river glade where animal sightings are frequent as dusk approaches. An intimate size creates an intimate experience.  

Rates start at $450 per person sharing per night and include all meals, drinks, guided forest walks, river swimming and dips in natural rock pools, bird watching, bush picnics, local airstrip transfers and limited laundry. For more information, visit http://kitichcamp.com/ or email info@chelipeacock.co.ke.

PAINTBRUSH IN THE BUSH: KENYA’S ART SAFARI

SAMBURU, Kenya (04/2014) The colors, vistas and landscape of Kenya’s Samburu region bring you to a standstill. Sometimes a camera just can’t capture what the eyes see. Joy’s Camp Art Safari is a chance to create an image that conveys a single moment. A whisper through swaying grass, a reflection in rippling water and sunlight dusting smooth volcanic rock.

A local artist accompanies you during a walking or driving safari to sketch on location. Feet on the ground, you’re in the middle of the African bush – a 360 degree view of untouched land in the Northern Frontier. Choose watercolors or charcoal pencils, grab an easel and let your hand glide over paper. The artist is there for instruction and advice. Popular spots include the winding Ewaso Nyiro, a river lined with Fever Trees and sand, creating an oasis of green; and the top of Penny’s rock for views of an expansive arid landscape – looming mountains on the horizon. Itineraries are flexible in the bush, so choose a departure from early morning to sundown; choose the position of the sun for the light contrasts you desire most.

Joy’s Camp Art Safari is inspired by the site’s previous artist, Joy Adamson. Joy was a part of history when she helped reintroduce a domestic lion, Elsa, to the wild for the first time. It became a best-selling book, Born Free. When she moved on to the area where Joy’s Camp stands today, Joy documented the plants and people of Kenya through her drawings.

There are 10 chic canvas bedrooms at Joy’s Camp overlooking a natural spring. Each tent is uniquely decorated with handmade glass and vibrant fabrics of the local nomadic tribes, and has a private veranda, ideal for game viewing. Joy’s Camp is one of ten properties in Kenya with a Gold eco-rating, the highest level of environmental responsibility.

Book the art safari in advance. Rates start at $350 per person sharing per night, and include meals, game drives, bush walks, bush breakfasts, sundowners, local airstrip transfers and limited laundry. For more information, visit joyscamp.com or email info@chelipeacock.co.ke.

NEW TENTED CAMP AT LOISABA

LAIKIPIA, Kenya (12/2013) Loisaba Wilderness  has announced the opening of a new Tented Bush Camp during its process of lodge renovations.  The Kenyan camp, which opened its doors on December 15^th, 2013, goes back to tradition with communal dining and bucket showers – true safari experiences.

In a 60,000-acre conservancy, the bush camp features double and twin tents, as well as one family tent.  Enjoy the en suite bathrooms that include bucket showers and flush toilets. You also have the opportunity to combine your stay at the camp with Loisaba’s legendary Starbeds. The Kiboko  Starbed and  the Koija Starbed are two variations of these handcrafted beds on raised platforms: one overlooks the eastern valley  and ‘Kiboko’ water hole, and one is located right next to the Ewaso N'giro River. From canvas tent to Mukokoteni bed, take in a one-with-nature experience under the twinkling African stars.

This equator location is a cornucopia for activities. This is one of the best destinations for game watching: the camp offers the chance to track lions and the endangered wild dogs living in the area. Also enjoy horseback riding, guided bush walks and game drives, camel trekking, river rafting and fishing, bush meals and sundowners.

A night at the new tented bush camps starts at $395 per person sharing.  This includes the aforementioned activities; all meals; local airstrip transfers; house wine, beer and soft drinks and limited laundry.

Please note: rates for the camp have been posted until March 31, 2014. The progress of lodge renovations will be determined before continuation of the tented camp.

For more information, visit www.chelipeacock.com or email info@chelipeacock.co.ke.

EXPLORE KENYA’S KIPSING LUGGA BY QUAD BIKE

Kenya (07/2013) - Henry Morton Stanley, David Livingstone, Vasco da Gama, and now you. Join the ranks of these legendary African explorers by taking advantage of Cheli & Peacock’s Quad Bike Adventures. Imagine the wind whipping through your hair as you race across the Andanguru Plain or Kipsing Lugga, and drive along the Seaku and Ewaso Rivers in Kenya’s remote Northern Frontier District. Choose your own adventure on these quad bikes and camp out under the stars or simply take a day trip and return back to your camp at night.

For those who truly want to channel their inner explorer, Cheli & Peacock will organize one or two night trips to the Kipsing Lugga. Spend the morning traversing the area, stopping only to savor a delicious picnic lunch. The afternoon’s activities are entirely up to you, so you can do more driving or hiking if you’d prefer to explore the terrain on foot. If you’re interested in meeting the locals, Cheli & Peacock can arrange a visit and dance performance by a local Samburu tribe. Fly tents provide comfortably rustic lodging for the night, while allowing you to soak up the African night sky’s splendor. In the morning, prepare to be roused by a Yellow-Necked Spurfowl, and be rewarded with a hearty breakfast.

You don’t have to spend the night under the stars to channel your inner explorer- Cheli & Peacock also offers day trips to the Kipsing Riverbed through the stunning Mpuskutuk Conservancy, home to many of Kenya’s endemic dry land species like the Gerenuk, Somali Ostrich and the Lesser Kudu. Spend the morning exploring, and drive back to camp, or take a helicopter- as any modern adventurer would. 

Kipsing is stunning, but if you’re in the mood for a more verdant landscape, the Ngare Ndare forest is the place for you. Begin your journey in this forest at the base of Mount Kenya that serves as the channel between the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and Mount Kenya, which elephants traverse during their migration. Here, towering, centuries old trees are surrounded by clear streams that turn into bubbling falls and end sapphire pools. Enjoy a panoramic view of this forest from the longest canopy walk in East Africa, which offers phenomenal birding.

Go ahead, book one of these trips- Livingstone would’ve wanted you to.

All trips are led by experienced guides. There is a minimum of four people for the Kipsing trips and a maximum of four people for the Ngare Ndare trips. No one under the age of 16 can drive a bike, but children under 16 are welcome, provided that they have a guardian to drive for them. Helmets, goggles, and first aid kits are provided. Rates for the overnight trip start at $830 per person per night, and day trips start at $215 per person. N.B. Meals are included in this price. Itineraries are valid through December 15, 2013.

Clients have the option to be transferred by road from one of the nearby lodges (Lewa / Borana). They alternatively can arrive from any location in Kenya by fixed wing to the Kipsing airstrip or be dropped by helicopter at a rendezvous point.

For more information, visit www.chelipeacock.com or email info@chelipeacock.co.ke.

ENROLL YOUR CHILD IN MAASAI WARRIOR SCHOOL

KENYA (07/2013) – Jump! Throw! Dance! Learn the ways of a warrior with the African bush as your classroom… Beginning August 1, children visiting Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp in the Maasai Mara are invited to join in a Maasai Warrior session. Under the tutelage of Kinyaika, one of the oldest trackers in the business, and the Maasai team, learn skills Maasai Warriors have mastered.

These skills, depending on age and ability, include fire making; spear throwing; bow and arrow practice; Maasai jumping, dancing and singing and stone throwing. Look forward to taking part in the traditions passed down for generations: participate in a blessing ceremony (involves Maasai clothing, Maasai jewelry and possibly henna). A certificate is given at the end of the experience; and, for those skilled enough to hit the targets, a wooden bow and (nonlethal) arrow is provided as a prize.

Proud parents can cheer from the sidelines, join in on the fun or leave the traditions to student and teacher and go on safari during this time. Sessions last between two and three hours.

“As a multi-generational family safari business, Cottar’s Safari Service, has always put emphasis on the family experience. The Maasai Warrior School particularly is something our younger guests will never forget,” explains Doug Nagi, Guest Experience Manager and Gold Guide at Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp.

The white canvas tented property emits the original safari tradition thanks to its roots with Charles Cottar, an American from Iowa who came to Kenya in the 1900s with his entire family. Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp is located on an untouched exclusive concession bordering the Serengeti, Maasai Mara and Loliondo reserves, guaranteeing privacy and an abundance of wildlife. Families can choose from four family tented suites, which each consist of two ensuite bedrooms with a shared sitting/dining room, and a private house, which can accommodate up to 10 guests in five large ensuite bedrooms.

The Maasai Warrior School is a complementary activity included within full board accommodation. Full board accommodation rates start at $530 per person sharing. Also included are: bush meals and sundowners; bush walks; day and night game drives; transfers to cultural visits; transfers to Cottars Airstrip and limited laundry.

For more information, visit www.cottars.com or email info@cottarsafaris.com.

CHELI & PEACOCK SAFARIS GIVE AWAY LIMITED EDITION ZEISS BINOCULARS TO COUPLES ON SAFARI

Nairobi, Kenya, (06/13) – Cheli & Peacock Safaris is giving a complimentary pair of limited edition Cheli & Peacock Zeiss binoculars to any couple who book a safari through Cheli & Peacock at a C&P Portfolio property. Carl Zeiss, international leader in optics since 1846, has developed exclusive Conquest HD 8x42 binoculars to enhance a safari experience, making them a must-have safari essential. Each pair of binoculars is worth $1000. C&P Portfolio properties, which include Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp, Elephant Pepper Camp, Elsa’s Kopje, Joy’s Camp, Kitich Camp, Lewa Safari Camp, Loisaba Wilderness and Tortilis Camp, can’t get much better, but the way you view and experience them can, thanks to the limited edition Zeiss binoculars.  

The binoculars will not only bring your safari experience closer, but also in high-definition, making them impossible to put down. Get that much closer to a feeding pack of lions with the 8x magnification, which provides a stable image in all viewing conditions and the HD-lens system that guarantees the highest quality color reproduction. With a specially designed 42mm lens, ideal for twilight conditions, early morning and late evening game drives are brought to life. The binoculars’ robust ergonomic design includes a special grip for stability and an easy accessible focus wheel that allows even the smallest details of the African bush to appear sharp and color neutral. At 750gms, the limited edition Conquest HD binoculars are the ideal safari companion, just large enough to allow superb optics while remaining sufficiently compact for day use.

"We are passionate about giving our clients the ultimate authentic safari experience and are delighted to work with the team at Zeiss to offer our guests some of the best binoculars for wildlife safari,” said Stefano Cheli. “We hope that these special limited edition Cheli & Peacock binoculars will not only bring the excitement of safari that much closer, but also serve as a life-long safari companion."

To book your reservation and secure your own limited edition Cheli & Peacock Zeiss binoculars, contact Cheli & Peacock at safaris@chelipeacock.co.ke. Note: a minimum of nine nights is required for this offer. The offer is limited to 500 binoculars.

CHELI & PEACOCK COMMUNITY TRUST BRANCHES INTO HEALTHCARE WITH NEW PROJECT: AITONG MEDICAL CLINIC

KENYA – The Cheli & Peacock Community Trust announces a new initiative at Elephant Pepper Camp (EPC) in the heart of the Mara North Conservancy with the introduction of a healthcare project at the Aitong Medical Clinic. This follows the great success of education-based projects surrounding Cheli & Peacock’s six high end camps, including EPC.

It began when Cheli & Peacock Community Trust coordinated a successful medical camp at the Aitong Medical Clinic, during which a team of five trained Red Cross personnel provided free medical advice, treatment and prescriptions, as well as emergency health kits that could treat 10,000 in the local community for three months. Feedback from local clinicians concluded that the supplies of drugs and equipment at the clinic were excellent, but they needed the skills and expertise to use them.

This is where Elephant Pepper Camp comes in: the Cheli & Peacock Community Trust pledged to arrange for a trained General Practitioner to visit the Aitong Medical Clinic three times per year for three to four days at a time, pro bono. Dr. Richard Ayah, a University of Nairobi lecturer and qualified medic, and his wife Dr. Violet Naanyu, a doctor of medical anthropology and sociology, will begin their visit to the clinic in June 2013. EPC, the driving force in creating the Mara North Conservancy*, will host these doctors and will provide complimentary board and some of the country’s best game drives.

The Cheli & Peacock Community Trust has also promised to fundraise and secure the remaining contributions to the sustainable stock replenishment program. Stefano Cheli, owner of Cheli & Peacock, states: “Sustainable ecotourism is at the very heart of what we do. We are delighted to work with Aitong Medical Clinic to support the healthcare needs of their local community and look forward to hosting Richard and Violet at Elephant Pepper Camp.”

The goal is to provide a community of approximately 3,000 local people with improved healthcare by maintaining supplies and stock replenishment, raising training standards and growing clinical expertise, while also focusing on peer education programs on key topics, such as HIV/AIDS.

With the collaboration of everyone mentioned above, this goal will be efficiently reached.

For more information on the Cheli & Peacock Community Trust, visit http://chelipeacock.com/conservation/community-trust/. For more information on Elephant Pepper Camp, visit http://elephantpeppercamp.com/ or email info@chelipeacock.co.ke.

* Mara North Conservancy covers more than 70,000 acres between Musiara and Aitong, a core parcel within the Masai Mara ecosystem, and maintains the land solely for wildlife conservation. Mara North Conservancy also guarantees its 750 Masai landowners stable revenue, transparent financial management and the preservation of the ancient balance between wildlife and traditional pastoralism.

CHELI & PEACOCK SAFARIS INVITES GUESTS TO EXPLORE THE HEIGHTS OF LOVE WITH A MOUNTAIN-TOP PICNIC

Cheli & Peacock Safaris, a collection of award-winning boutique safari camps and lodges in Kenya, is offering a fresh, new take on the traditional bush picnic. Upping the ante a few couple thousand feet, they have arranged for adventurous couples to helicopter to the top of Mount Kenya for a romantic picnic lunch.

The breathtaking ride over Kenya’s sprawling wilderness is topped only by the dramatic location of the picnic – couples will feel like they’re on top of the world. Upon arrival, plush blankets are spread and the picnic basket unpacked. The picnic lunch consists of crisp salads and herbs from the camp’s on-site gardens, freshly baked breads, and for dessert: homemade Danish Layer Cake. Fine South African wines and bubbly accompany the meal, with coffee and tea to finish.  

From Elsa’s Kopje, a spectacular lodge in Meru National Park, the helicopter trip to Mount Kenya is just 45 minutes. Trips may be also arranged from any of the C&P Portfolio’s properties including Joy’s Camp, LewaSafari Camp, Loisaba Lodge and Kitich Camp.  

Mountain-top picnic excursions to Mount Kenya are available starting from $430 per person per hour, depending on helicopter size, number of passengers, distance, etc. If they wish, guests may also indulge in light hiking and/or fishing at Lake Alice, located on the Northern slopes on the Mountain. Helicopters can accommodate up to six guests, and as with all C&P Portfolio properties, children are welcome. Excursions should be booked in advance, preferably at the time of reservation.

For more information visit www.chelipeacock.com

CALLING ALL CAT LOVERS: LOISABA INVITES GUESTS TO JOIN THEM IN THEIR CONSERVATION OF KENYA’S BIG CATS

Loisaba, a member of the esteemed C&P Portfolio of eco-luxe safari camps and lodges, has long been a proponent of responsible tourism. In their continuous effort to support and protect their local community and environment, they now offer guests the chance to get in on the conservation action too – by tracking and monitoring the area’s leopards and lions.  

Loisaba has partnered with the Laikipia Predator Project, a local program that aims to protect the area’s large cats by studying their behaviors, monitoring their response to conservation actions and improving livestock practices (to diffuse human-wildlife conflict). Guests are able to become involved in the Laikipia Predator Project’s conservation efforts by using receivers and antennae to monitor the movements of Loisaba’s leopards and lions.

Marc Napao, the Laikipia Predator Project’s key researcher, is based at Loisaba and has developed an online database which allows guests to report their predator sightings after each game drive. They can upload pictures and even provide their own reports on what they saw. It’s a fun, hands-on activity for families or couples, and it adds a more personal element to the standard game drive.  

The assorted accommodations at Loisaba gives guests the choice to have a private safari experience, at the House or Cottage (their own exclusive home-away-from-home), or to mix with others, at Loisaba Lodge or the Star beds.

Rates at Loisaba Lodge and Star Beds start at $ 520 per person per night during mid-season. Rates at the House begin at $ 3,060 for a family or group of four people per night and at $ 2,200 for a family or group of four people per night at the Cottage. Package includes full board, an assortment of drinks and spirits, day and night game drives, guided bush walks, transfers to cultural visits, bush breakfasts and sundowners, airstrip transfers, river rafting and fishing, horse riding, camel riding, quad biking, limited laundry and of course, lion tracking.

For more information about Loisaba or the Laikipia Predator Project, please contact info@chelipeacock.co.ke.

BATH IN THE BUSH: ROMANTIC RETREAT WITH KENYA CANVAS BATH

An outdoor bath that overlooks the Masai Mara and Serengeti plains while in a canvas bathtub is just one of scintillating activities couples can choose from at Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp. Renowned for reaching back to its American roots (the Cottar Safari business is in its fifth generation), the camp utilizes authentic safari pastimes and decoration with luxurious modern twists.

Honeymooners can request the canvas bathtubs to be set up by the canopied verandah of a private tent, or in the middle of the open savannah – a true safari experience. Hear the sounds of the bush, watch a giraffe or dyk dyk pass by and sip on sparkling wine or champagne. Insider’s tip: a bath at sunset is ideal for anyone wishing for a swoon-worthy mood. The bath is lit by hurricane lamps as the sky changes color over the Mara and a sense of nature and wellbeing becomes the ambiance.

Without question, the honeymoon tent is the most romantic of all accommodations at the camp. An added perk is the fire pit just outside, a nighttime setting for a private dinner for two. With the tent not too far from the new swimming pool (one of the only small luxury properties in the Masai Mara with a pool), everything is at your fingertips. Game viewing is superb at all times of the year, especially during the Great Migration (July through November). A game drive with millions of wildebeest and zebra, as well as dramatic river crossings, is something everyone must have on the bucket list.

There are 10 tents and the option to stay in Cottar’s Private House which can accommodate 10 guests in five large en suite bedrooms. The house is given for exclusive use with its own living areas, staff and vehicles – completely separate from the rest of the camp.

Rates start at $490 per person sharing, depending on the season, and include guided bush walks, candlelit bush dinners, sundowners, day and night game drives, ½ hour complimentary massage per tent, transfers to cultural visits, a range of drinks and laundry. Game drives can be taken in either state of the art Land Cruisers or in an authentic vintage wooden car (for fun and atmosphere).

Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp is one of the prestigious eco-tourism lodges in The C&P Portfolio. For more information, visit www.cottars.com or www.thecpportfolio.com.

A BEACH ESCAPE FOR TWO AT KINONDO KWETU

KENYA – Kinondo Kwetu is nestled on the secluded shores of the Indian Ocean in southern Kenya. The small, all-inclusive luxury resort is the only hotel on all of Galu Beach, located at the end of a dirt road and distanced from neighbors by rocky cliffs and endless beach. For honeymooners looking for some relaxation and romance after the wedding, Kinondo Kwetu is a beach haven of style and serenity. 

The various forms of accommodation at Kinondo Kwetu were all designed with discretion in mind - surrounded by shady, green gardens and with selected parts available for exclusive use.

The Mama Taa Villa is comprised of seven suites, all of which are dramatically decorated with rich African antiques and a subtle Swedish flare (thanks to the Swedish couple who runs the place!). The gorgeous Honeymoon Suite is located within the Mama Taa Villa Suites and features an exquisitely large bed and multiple balconies.

There are five cottages, three of which are doubles featuring king sized beds swathed in filmy nets , one with a double bedroom and one dubbed the Ubani “beachhouse” that features two stories and can be sold together or separately.

There are plenty of quiet and romantic spots outside for couples to retreat to. The water towers offer spectacular views of the mountains and are the ideal place for a romantic sunset.  Private moonlit dinners for two may also be arranged upon request.  

In addition to enjoying the sun and swimming in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, there’s also an impressive selection of activities offered at Kinondo Kwetu.  Couples can get active with water sports like kite surfing and scuba diving or land activities such as game driving through the nearby Shimba Hills, horseback riding, yoga, tennis or golf – to name a few.

Kninondo Kwetu is only a one and a half hour drive from Mombasa and a fifteen-minute drive from the Ukunda airstrip. Mid season rates start at $460 per person sharing, including all drinks, yoga and gym equipment, tennis, excursions to Kinondo Kwetu community projects in Kinondo village, wood fired sauna, canoeing, snorkeling equipment, one PADI diving lesson in the pool, airstrip transfers, WIFI and limited laundry.

For more information visit www.thecpportfolio.com or

 www.kinondo-kwetu.com.

NEW SARUNI MARA VILLA OPTIONS WITH A TWIST

Family Villa Opens Doors and Refurbishment Results in Themed Villas

This July, Saruni Mara, a luxury safari lodge located in Kenya’s Masai Mara, opened the doors of a brand new family villa and completed the refurbishment of its existing villa’s in to six beautifully designed, themed rooms.

The stylish new villa has two en-suite bedrooms and a large lounge complete with dining area and comfortable sofa’s sounding the welcoming fireplace. There is also an impressive large veranda overlooking the magnificent scenery of the Masai Mara.

The remaining villas have been refurbished to incorporate themes that will engage with a guest’s passions whether that is art, astronomy, photography, literature, natural history or simply romance.

All furniture, carpets, lamps and bedding was either sourced locally in Nairobi or designed by Kenyan interior decorator Larissa Hoops and then made by local craftsmen.

The Art room will inspire creative guests with an easel and paint as well as a desk with drawing materials.

For star gazers, the Astronomy room has a vintage brass telescope, moon map and selection of interesting material on all things cosmic.

Book worms and budding writers will enjoy staying in the Literature room with its vintage typewriter, leather reading chairs, desk with brass reading lamp, quill pen and leather blotter. There is also a selection of classic and African literature.

For clients that prefer to view life through the lens, the Photography room has an old box browning camera, antique photographic equipment catalogue and stunning prints adorn the walls.

The Family villa also doubles as the Natural History room and is decorated with a selection of antique and vintage prints. There is also relevant reading material such a books on mammals, reptiles, tree’s and birds.

The Honeymoon room has been simply designed for a relaxing romantic break with comfy furniture and beautiful antiques.

Saruni Mara is owned and run by Italian author Riccardo Orizio. This resort is the Masai Mara’s smallest permanent lodge and guests enjoy an exclusive experience with their own private vehicle and guide. Evenings can be spent relaxing in the common area enjoying fine cuisine influenced by Riccardo’s Italian family heritage. Guests can also enjoy bush breakfasts and dinners in breathtaking settings such as in the middle of an acacia forest.

Saruni Mara is extremely active in local community and conservation projects and works very closely with the local Masai communities. The lodge is the proud recipient on the Silver rating by Ecotourism Kenya.

Rooms at Saruni Mara start from US$390 a night. Prices are based on two people sharing on full board including all house drinks, park fees, game drives and airport transfers.

For more information visit www.thecpportfolio.com.

REJUVENATE YOUR MIND, BODY AND SOUL AT KITICH CAMP IN THE MAGNIFICENT MATHEWS MOUNTAINS OF KENYA

A recent study from Glasgow University looked at natural and non-natural environments for physical activity and found that being around trees and grass lowered brain stress levels. It’s not too surprising that exercise in a green place, like a forest, is better than in a non-green place, like the gym. Adventurers seeking relaxation should head to Kitich Camp in the Mathews Mountains of Kenya for the ultimate refreshment of mind, body and soul.

Kitich Camp is an isolated retreat where guests can explore the beautiful, natural surroundings and attain a new vitality. Located in a remote valley, under a canopy of trees, Kitich is the only camp in all of the Mathews Mountain Range, offering exclusive access into the lush, green forest.

Because of the pristine and unexplored wilderness, Kitich Camp opts out of the conventional safari game drives. Instead, guests leave the vehicle behind and embark into the Mathews forest on foot. All walking safaris are led by professional guides as well as indigenous Samburu and Ndorobo warriors.

For those looking to immerse themselves in the culture of the indigenous people, the Samburu guides will take guests to visit with their families. Depending on the day, guests are invited to witness a local market where the Samburu and Ndorobo people gather to buy and trade vegetables, beads, and other items.

Other activities include spectacular bush breakfasts, sundowners, and picnics. At night, there is a campfire under the stars overlooking the river glade where guests can catch a glimpse of the nocturnal visitors who come to drink and hunt.

The Mathews Forest is a 220,000 acre tropical mountain forest, home to a spectacular array of flora and fauna boasting over 150 different species of butterflies (that’s roughly 15% of all of Kenya’s butterfly population) as well as wild orchids and ancient cycad trees. It also harbors the rare De Brazza Monkey along with forest antelope, wild dogs, leopards, elephants and an astonishing array of bird life.

In 2011, Kitich Camp received a Silver Eco-Rating Certification from Ecotourism Kenya, an award which demonstrates their excellence in responsible resource use, environmental conservation, and socio-economic investment. Kitich operates without a generator, relying solely on solar power and using only LED lighting. As a partner with the Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy, Kitich Camp directly benefits its surrounding communities by working with them on at a grass roots level; lodge and bed fees as well as conservancy fees are all paid directly to the locals. Other partnerships and projects include the Tusk Trust, an organization dedicated to protecting African wildlife, as well as a rain water harvesting project, and a project for the construction and furnishing of a teachers block at Ngilai Primary School.

Kitich features six traditional safari-style guest tents, all with en suite bathrooms and exceptional views of the lush gorge of the Ngeng River. Its intimate size (only 12 guests at a time) allows for all activities to be tailored to suit individual wants and needs. From a rigorous morning hike to an afternoon dip in the natural rock pools of the crystal mountain streams, experience the perfect balance to boost fitness and mind-body connection.

Rates for the three-day adventure package start at $400 per person sharing per night.  For more information on experiencing the scenic wilderness of the Mathews Mountains, visit http://www.chelipeacock.com/php/camps/kitich-camp.php or www.kitichcamp.com.

THE ADAMSON LEGACY: KENYAN CATS BORN FREE

NAIROBI (02/2012) – From the heart of Kenya came the stories of Elsa the lioness, the star of the novel and Academy Award-winning film, Born Free, and Penny the leopard, the star of the novel, Queen of Shaba, both taken care of by the same owner with the same goal in mind: to live in the wild. Elsa’s Kopje and Joy’s Camp, owned and operated by Cheli & Peacock, remain as a tribute to the cats’ journeys - safari camps that once housed Elsa or Penny – and carry on the conservation goals that the Adamson family held dearly.

Elsa became the first lioness successfully released back into the wild, the first to have contact after release and the first known to have cubs after release. After Elsa’s mother was shot charging two wardens, George and Joy Adamson took in and raised Elsa and two other cubs in Meru National Park where Elsa’s Kopje now stands. After a duration of six months with increasing difficulty in taking care of three cubs, the two larger cubs were sent to a zoo in the Netherlands. Instead of sending Elsa to a zoo, the Adamsons decided to keep her with the intent to free her back into the wild. As a result of many months training Elsa to hunt and survive on her own, the Adamsons were successful in the end. Although Elsa is no longer alive, guests of Elsa’s Kopje are able to visit her grave within the park.

After Elsa’s death, George and Joy Adamson’s interests went in separate directions, as did their lives (George wanted to continue to work with lions while Joy’s focus moved to other cats). Penny the leopard was eight weeks old when a ranger found her and handed her over to Joy. The process of teaching Penny how to hunt consisted of getting Penny to jump up at or chase animal skins, then chase hares until she caught one, until finally she progressed to hunting big gazelle. Penny was another success story of an animal in captivity taught to survive on her own and released into the wild. Penny had a litter of two cubs before the publication of Queen of Shaba.

Joy Adamson spent the rest of her life raising money for wildlife, thanks to the popularity of Born Free, sharing the proceeds with various conservation projects. These conservation efforts have been carried on by Cheli & Peacock’s ‘C&P Portfolio,’ a collection of 14 prestigious eco-tourism lodges that include Elsa’s Kopje and Joy’s Camp.

Elsa’s Kopje, named after Elsa the lioness and an Andrew Harper 2012 Grand Award Winner, is renowned for being one of the most elegant lodges in Africa. Elsa’s Kopje is almost invisible to the eye as you approach its home on Mughwango Hill. It blends into the rocky crags of the “kopje” (small hill), built above the site of George Adamson’s original campsite. Every cottage is the ultimate ‘room-with-a-view’ and is uniquely designed and crafted, incorporating the natural features of the rocky hillside. Rates range from $410 - $650 per person sharing per night, depending on the season. This includes game drives, line fishing, bush meals, sundowners, guided bush walks, local airstrip transfers, a range of drinks and laundry.

Joy’s Camp is built on the site of Joy Adamson and Penny’s tented home in Shaba National Reserve, amidst an elegant oasis in the arid lands of Samburu. The 10 chic canvas bedrooms have breathtaking views of the surrounding hills, overlooking a natural spring. Each tent is uniquely decorated with handmade glass and the vibrant fabrics of the local nomadic tribes, and each tent also has its own private veranda, ideal for game viewing. Rates range from $370 - $590 per person sharing per night, depending on the season. This includes game drives, guided bush walks, bush breakfasts along the Ewaso Nyiro River and gorge, sundowners, trips to Magado Crater, local airstrip transfers, a range of drinks and laundry.

For more information, visit Elsa’s Kopje and Joy’s Camp. You may also email info@chelipeacock.co.ke or call +254 (0)20 6003090/1.