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"We are dedicated to providing exclusive , bespoke, upmarket,

tailor-made, luxury safaris and exotic holidays for the discerning client looking for the ultimate, authentic, classical Kenya safari, away from the mass tourism sector".

Bush Telegraph Newsletter - July 2013


 

Campi ya Kanzi News  June 2013

  

 

A sweet adoption story... 

 

 

  

Life goes on in the savanna... Nosero 3rd cub has been found. He is happily trailing along his older sister. Nosero's daughter had three cubs last year and she has adopted her young brother. We see them regularly around camp. Here they are:

Bahati with his older sister  

 

 Bahati which means luck

But the story gets better... 

 

The community has rallied around  MWCT

 

and Campi ya Kanzi. The elders arranged a blessing ceremony for new new warriors age set. They were warned to not hunt and kill lions. Since then not a single lion hunt has been hunted.

 

It takes patience and understanding to live in Maasai land. Centuries of tradition cannot be changed in few years. The new warriors are learning how to be proud Maasai, respectful of their traditions, and yet not killing lions. We are proud to be the ones facilitating this change.

 

The warriors allowed us to participate to the blessing ceremony, with some lucky guests of Campi ya Kanzi. What a privilege!  

 

 

Warriors gathering for the blessing ceremony 

Greater Kudu horn, used to gather the warriors 

 

New warriors have been employed to be Simba Scouts, the lions watchmen. It is a new way to get engaged with lions, with courage, but without the traditional killing.

 

Remember that by visiting Campi ya Kanzi you will contribute $100 conservation fee per person per day, used precisely for protecting lions, through MWCT Wildlife Pays


Safari stories... 

 

Our latest safari stories, in our favourite pictures 7

 







Leopard spot by Stefano


Milk time!
Stefano on safari in Amboseli

Stefano on safari in Amboseli 

Beautiful Kili sunrise 

Campi ya Kanzi is getting newer 

Time to refurbish... 


Campi ya Kanzi opened 16 years ago. It is time for some changes... 
We started a journey of change, which will take us about 18 months. First two steps were new interiors at Tembo House and at Kanzi House. 
 
In the next year and a half we will renew all our tents, making them larger and with new interior. We will keep you posted with the images of the renovation. 

 


New interiors at Tembo House

Camera Trap 

 

See how in few weeks of rains we changed from very dry to incredibly lush.

 

You can see more camera traps and follow daily what is going on on the web cam. 

 


Lions visit nearly every night. 

 

Monumental News From Lewa

 

Lewa and Ngare Ndare Forest are designated as unesco world heritage sites

  

 

What do Lewa, the Taj Mahal, the Grand Canyon and the    Pyramids have in common? . . . They're all UNESCO World Heritage Sites!

  

 

Last week, the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and Ngare Ndare Forest Trust were honoured to be added to the existing Mount Kenya World Heritage Site. This unique recognition is reserved for places of outstanding universal value to humanity that, as such, have been inscribed on the list to be protected for future generations to appreciate and enjoy.

 

The World Heritage Committee considered Lewa and Ngare Ndare for their outstanding natural beauty, as well as their varied and impressive ecosystems and biodiversity.  The site will continue to be known as the Mount Kenya National Park/Natural Forest to allow for future nominations further north of Lewa to also be included.

Lewa, Ngare Ndare, and potentially the areas to Lewa's north, are all connected to Mount Kenya through the elephant corridor. Lewa was instrumental in the creation of this crucial migration passage that serves as a route for landscape connectivity, stretching from the mountain through Lewa and onwards north into the wide expanse of the Samburu region.

 

Lewa is hopeful that the prestige from joining the World Heritage list will raise awareness and generate international recognition, promoting local and national pride and commitment to the perpetuation of conservation in these iconic areas. It is Lewa's fervent belief that the World Heritage Site status will raise already high levels of national and overseas tourism, creating employment opportunities and income for local communities. 

 

So book your next visit to Lewa now so that you can say you stayed on a World Heritage Site! We hope to see you soon. 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

A Great Tribute to Years of Conservation Efforts 

 

Lewa's World Heritage Status Is a Great Tribute to Years of Conservation Efforts

As a supporter of Lewa, you will have seen our official announcement last week. It is with immense pride that I take this opportunity to congratulate the entire Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in this new designation as an extension of the Mount Kenya World Heritage Site. This great achievement is a true testament to the hard work and dedication of all, past and present, who have helped build Lewa into the Conservancy that it is today - a global model for protected area management and a catalyst for conservation. The site will continue to be known as the Mount Kenya National Park/Natural Forest to allow for future nominations beyond Lewa's boundaries to also be included.

 

Lewa cannot celebrate this great achievement without recognizing the important and crucial role played by donors, partners and friends from all over the world who over the years have provided the Conservancy with the much needed support in its wildlife conservation and community development efforts. Of worthy mention is the vital partnership that culminated in the construction of the elephant underpass in 2010. Steered by the Mount Kenya Trust with crucial support from Lewa, Kisima Farm, Marania Farm, Ngare Ndare Forest Trust, Borana Conservancy, Kenya Wildlife Service  and Kenya Forest Service, this historic passageway now connects the Conservancy, Ngare Ndare and adjacent areas to Mount Kenya. It serves as a route for landscape connectivity, stretching from the mountain through Lewa and onwards north into the wide expanse of the Samburu region.

  

To reinforce our earlier sentiments, Lewa is hopeful that the prestige gained from joining the World Heritage list will raise awareness and generate international recognition, promoting local and national pride and commitment to the perpetuation of conservation in these iconic areas. It is Lewa's fervent belief that the World Heritage Site status will increase already high levels of national and overseas tourism, creating employment opportunities and income for local communities.

 

Thank you all for your continued efforts, support and commitment to perpetuating our world-class initiative.

Hongera Lewa!

 

 

Mike Watson
Chief Executive Officer 

The C&P Portfolio

 

CHELI & PEACOCK LOOKS BACK ON 28 YEARS IN THE MARA

 
 

With summer upon us, all eyes are on the Maasai Mara. While the annual migration gathers pace and Richard Branson prepares to open the doors of his newest venture, Cheli & Peacock looks back on its long history in the Mara.

  

Liz and Stefano Cheli established Cheli & Peacock in the early safari days of 1985 and, over the past 28 years, have been at the helm of what is now one of Kenya's leading and longest-establish safari operators. Throughout the 1980s, both Liz and Stefano were leading regular mobile safaris across the Mara, captivated by this vast wilderness and, in particular, a favourite camping spot which later became Elephant Pepper Camp.

  

As one of only a few companies operating in the Mara at that time, Cheli & Peacock were joint creators of Campfire Conservation Ltd: the first organisation to encourage the formation of a Maasai Landowners Committee to ensure community revenue from tourism and conservation. Following the later division of land by the government, Cheli & Peacock once again set about forming strong community partnerships with Stefano co-founding the Mara North Conservancy (MNC), which he still chairs to this day. Established in 2009, this non-profit operation is a best practice, world-class conservancy with long-term commitments to the environment, wildlife and local communities! 


Elephant Pepper Camp is an exclusive tented camp set in a grove of trees amidst the rolling plains and lush forest of the MNC. In keeping with its history, Elephant Pepper Camp brings its guests back to the traditional safari experience! This small, private camp is stylishly furnished with Indian 'Raj 

campaign furniture' and its eight traditional canvas tents (and secluded honeymoon tent) offer a memorable night under the stars and a welcome retreat from an exhilarating day in the bush.   

 

This is the best part of the Maasai Mara - a year-round game viewing experience like no other, particularly when it comes to the migration months. Intrepid explorers can get that much closer to the wildlife and learn ancient tracking techniques on Maasai-guided waking safaris, while those looking to unwind can indulge in al-fresco bush breakfasts, spectacular sundowners and the camp's highly-renowned authentic Italian cuisine. 

  Just as Liz and Stefano began their adventures in the Mara with a commitment to both wildlife and community, today's Cheli & Peacock Community Trust reflects this same philosophy. Formed in 2011 - following many years of on-going partnerships - the Trust focuses on educating the next generation of Kenyan conservationists, working with local communities to identify and support their development needs.

At Gold eco-rated Elephant Pepper Camp, the Trust supports a number of initiates and is currently fundraising for the 'Boma

Fortification Project': an initiative aimed at reducing predation of Maasai livestock through strengthening of cattle enclosures,

ultimately reducing human-wildlife conflict.

  

 

Looking back on their early years in the Maasai Mara, Stefano & Liz Cheli comment:

"The Mara can still take your breath away, just as it did 30 years ago when we started coming here. The creation of Mara North Conservancy is probably one of the most important things we have done for conservation - what could be more important than saving the Mara?" 

 

For more information, please get in touch! 

 

Best Regards,

 

Cheli & Peacock & The C&P Portfolio

 

 

 

ELEPHANTS ARE BACK AT THE CAMP  

 
Tsavo East is world famous for its huge herds of dust-red elephants, thousands of them bulldoze their way around this vast park, they move in big herds, one of the most impressive wildlife sightings.

The rainy season has come to an end, the warm days slowly are kicking in, water holes are drying up, the big herds of elephant looking for water are coming to the Galana river. Game viewing especially around the camp has been excellent, with animals coming out in huge numbers to quench their thirst along the Galana river during day and night.
 
Our guests have enjoyed the company of herds of buffaloes and elephants drinking from the Galana river right in front of their bandas. Hippos are also coming out in huge numbers to graze around the camp at dawn.

 

 

Game Viewing from the camp 


Galdessa Camp is not fenced, animals come up right to your doorstep. All our Bandas have private veranda overlooking the Galana river from where you can relax, enjoying the view of Yatta Plateau and game passing through the camp. 


Walking Safari 


Galdessa Camp is renowned for its walking safaris. Our walks along the Galana river can be tailor made depending on your interest. Guests can enjoy discovering the diversity of the park on foot and have a safe and unforgettable experience walking close to wildlife. 


 

After a confusing statement about Yellow Fever regulations in Kenya was issued by ATTA on 16th July, followed by many worried emails, we feel it is important to share with you the latest official statement from the Kenya Ministry of Health:

 

Only passengers arriving in Kenya from any country with risk of yellow fever transmission are required to possess a valid vaccination certificate for yellow fever. 

 

his means that if you are travelling from a non-endemic country directly to Kenya and back home (i.e. London - Nairobi - London), you will not require a yellow fever certificate. 

 

Those clients leaving Kenya and continuing their travels to Tanzania (including Zanzibar) South Africa or Rwanda (and possibly other African countries, even if only for a transit) will need a yellow fever certificate to enter those countries.  

 

Please click here to download the official statement by Kenya's Ministry of Health, including a list of endemic countries.

  

We are grateful to Cheli & Peacock Safaris for providing this update.

 

THE C&P

PORTFOLIO

 

COCKTAILS FROM THE KOPJE

 

 

Got the Friday feeling? Fear not, Cheli & Peacock's Cocktail Hour is almost upon us and Moses and his team of barmen at Elsa's Kopje have the perfect 'sundowner' suggestion: the "Kenyan Dawa".

 

Meaning 'medicine' in Swahili, this cocktail cures any ails or ills - trust us! Plus, it's easy to make and is the perfect tipple to ease you into the weekend.

 

You will need:

 

1 tbsp granulated sugar

2 shots of vodka

1 lime

A handful of crushed ice cubes

1 dawa stick covered in honey (although any stick will do!)

 

Step 1) Quarter the lime (leaving the skin on) and place in a whisky tumbler

Step 2) Add sugar and crush with the lime

Step 3) Add the crushed ice and vodka

Step 4) Twist your dawa stick in a jar of honey and add the stick to the glass

Step 5) Gently crush and stir ingredients using the stick 

 

Serve and enjoy!

 

Wishing you a wonderful weekend,

 

Cheli & Peacock & The C&P Portfolio

 

 

The Ol Pejeta Aerial Ranger - Coming Soon to a Conservancy Near You...

 

You might remember that in December of last year we announced we were turning to high technology to protect our rhinos. We teamed up with Airware to create a specialist aerial drone  - now dubbed the Aerial Ranger - to monitor and view wildlife on Ol Pejeta. The Aerial Ranger will have the capacity to cover 50 miles, and fly for over 1 1/2 hours.

 

With tremendous support from generous donors (both individuals and corporate), we managed the raise the funds necessary to build the first aerial ranger and the team in the US has seen been busy building and testing the aerial ranger.

 

We were hoping to launch the aerial ranger this month, but have decided to delay the official launch - hopefully by not more than two months. From the start we have set out develop a bespoke drone for conservation with new tracking capabilities and greater flexibility to integrate sensor and operation developments in the future. Whilst there are many off- the-shelf solutions out there, including numerous ex-military options, we believe that it is best to spend time and funds ensuring we have a drone that is truly fit for our purpose.

 

In this instance, more flight testing is required to ensure the reliability and feature set for our anti-poaching drone solution before we are ready for fielding. In particular we are keen to find ways to maximise the range of our RFID tracking capabilities.

We would like to ask our supporters to bear with us a little longer as we lock this down through a series of rigorous flight tests.

 

As ever, we are keen to keep you up to date as we take this journey, developing the aerial ranger and finalising approvals in Kenya.  You are welcome to write in with any questions - we will get straight back to you.

 

SOME FACTS AND STATS:
  • Endurance: 90-120 mins
  • Flight Range: 75-125 km
  • Radio Range: 10-60 km
  • Video Range: 10-40 km
  • Max Speed: 100 km/hr
  • RFID Coverage per flight: 4 to 12 square km (up to 3,000 acres)
  • Imaging Coverage per flight: approx 40 square km (10,000 acres)
OL PEJETA WISHES TO THANK KLM AND DHL FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF THE AERIAL RANGER PROGRAMME