Cheli & Peacock – one of Kenya’s leading and longest established safari operators – is this year offering a unique safari experience. ‘Savannah, Quads & Camels’ is an extraordinary itinerary that not only takes in some of the most unusual and unexplored corners of Kenya, but does so aboard quad bike and camel back!
This new 14-day adventure takes in some of Kenya’s top award-winning boutique properties, spanning the world-famous Maasai Mara, wild and rugged Northern Frontier District and vertiginous Mathews Mountain Range.
Perfect for venturesome families, couples or solo travellers ‘Savannah, Quads & Camels’ truly is a one-of-a-kind experience and, without doubt, the best way to explore Kenya and really immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the African bush.
The journey begins in the heart of the private and protected Mara North Conservancy wilderness area of the Maasai Mara. Staying at the exclusive – and Gold eco-rated – tented camp Elephant Pepper Camp, guests will spend the next three days exploring the Conservancy’s rolling plains and lush forest – the very best part of the Maasai Mara, which teems with wildlife yet is wonderfully quiet and peaceful. Guests at Elephant Pepper Camp are among the very few permitted to explore this area on foot and are led by local Maasai warriors, learning how to track wildlife using traditional techniques – a great way to start the two-week expedition.
The next stop is Sasaab Camp in the protected West Gate Community Conservancy of Samburu National Reserve. Set high on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River, and commanding breath-taking views of Mount Kenya, Sasaab Camp is a beautifully-designed haven of luxury and serenity. Here, adrenalin-fuelled safari-goers can get behind the handlebars or their own quad bike for a day’s trip up the Kipsing lugga (dry riverbed). The lugga’s wide smooth terrain is perfect for even the most amateur ‘quader’ and the entire stretch is spectacularly scenic, brimming with usual wildlife and local herders bringing their goats and camels to water. After a relaxing picnic lunch alongside the Seaku River, guests return to camp for an afternoon game drive, walk or a cultural visit to the local Samburu market.
Day eight takes guests deeper into the unexplored wilds of Kenya to Kitich Camp, in the midst of the Mathews Mountains. This ‘sky island’ rises out of the surrounding arid plains offering 900km2 of pristine natural forest and plethora of unusual – and often undiscovered – wildlife. Dubbed a ‘biological bonanza’ by the BBC the mountains offer a truly unique forest wildlife experience like no other in Africa and one of the best opportunities for discovery in the 21st century.
Over the next three days intrepid adventurers will explore their surrounding on foot with ‘masters of the forest’, the Ndorobo Samburu guides, learning ancient wildlife tracking techniques and swimming in natural rock pools. Kitich Camp is an idyllic hideaway – an authentic bush camp of six traditional tents – the perfect setting to unwind around the campfire, under the stars, after a great day’s walking.
Feeling suitably revived, guests will be greeted by their trusty new steeds – camels – on day eleven for their final leg of the adventure, the trek over the mountain to Sarara Fly Camp. Brimming with wildlife – including the extremely rare Melanistic leopard, forest elephant, buffalo, De Brazza monkey, giant forest hog and Africa’s endangered wild dog – this walk is one of Kenya’s best and will be rewarded with a lofty picnic breakfast from the top of the mountain. On reaching Sarara Fly Camp, guests will spend the next two nights enjoying drinks and supper around the campfire, listening to the leopards ‘saw’ around you and sleeping under the stars.
On the penultimate day, the journey descends to Sarara Camp itself, in the remote southern corner of the Mathews Mountain Range. Sarara lies at the heart of the Namunyak Wildlife Conservation Trust and, despite an unprecedented level of style and luxury, it has a strong ecotourism bent – the camp set up to promote wildlife conservation and to assist the local community to benefit from tourism. All tents, main lounge, dining area and natural rock swimming pool enjoy superb panoramic views over the Northern Frontier District: a stunning setting for your last night in the bush.
Stefano and Liz Cheli, Owners of Cheli & Peacock comment: “Savannah, Quads & Camels is set to be one of our most popular itineraries; a real adventure into the heart of the Kenyan bush. We have always strived to give our guests a true safari experience – an unforgettable, up-close encounter with the ‘real Africa’ – and this two week trip is a great way to get off the beaten track and see some of Kenya’s most unusual wildlife in a beautifully remote setting. This itinerary grew out of a holiday with friends and family and we’re delighted to offer the adventure to others – it’s great fun!”
