Owners, Managers and Guides

Liz & Stefano Cheli – Owners

Born of Italian parents, Stefano grew up in Kenya, spending his early days on a coffee farm in Thika, and later on mixed farms in the Rift Valley. His father was the General Manager for a group of farms and lodges owned by an Italian Count, which included Loisaba Ranch and Oasis Lodge at Lake Turkana – Stefano's favourites.
Stefano completed secondary schooling in Italy, completed his National Service on the ski slopes of the Dolomites, and Fiumicino Airport in Rome, before returning to Kenya in 1980 as General Manger of Loisaba Ranch.
Before starting Cheli & Peacock with Liz, Stefano spent a year as a Professional Hunter in Tanzania.
Liz had English parents, but was born in Venezuela and grew up in Nairobi.
She completed secondary schooling in Kent, and went to Agricultural College in Yorkshire, England, before returning to Kenya in 1979 to work as Administrator on a 60,000acre ranch in Laikipia.
Before starting Cheli & Peacock with Stefano, Liz spent a year as a freelance Professional Guide on camping safaris throughout Kenya.
Liz and Stefano have two sons, Joss and Sebastian

Stephen & Tania Hitchins - Investors

More recent converts to the joys and romance of Kenya and its wildlife
Investors in Elsa's Kopje, Tortilis, Joy's Camp and Kitich Camp.
Natives of Gloucestershire in the United Kingdom, with son Harry & daughter Chloe.
Involved in residential and commercial development in the West of England and South Wales
Founders of the Desert Springs Resort & Golf Club in Almeria in South East Spain
See Spain Property www.desertsprings.co.uk www.hitchins.co.uk

Philip & Charlotte Mason - Managers

Before joining Cheli & Peacock, Philip and Charlotte Mason gained experience managing various different properties in Kenya - including their own property in Kilifi, Takaungu House.
Philip & Charlotte are both born and bred Kenyans, and have two grown-up children living in Nairobi.
They have previously managed Kicheche Mara, and Pemba Afloat which they owned for 8 years.

Daniel Lotukoi

Daniel Lotukoi is from the Turkana tribe, and started out at Elsa's Kopje as a Spanner Boy. He has worked for Cheli & Peacock for 18 years.
He is a KPSGA Bronze level guide, and will be taking his Silver Level exam very soon.
Daniel has a passion for all wildlife, but his favourite bird is the Pells Fishing Owl.

Richard Morogo

Richard, after a period of working with horses, started his guiding career over10 years ago leading walks at Tortilis Camp in Amboseli
Richard then worked at Elephant Pepper Camp, before exchanging places with his brother George Kiplangat (who is now at Elephant Pepper Camp) adn coming to Elsa's Kopje.
Always jovial, Richard is a fantastic entertainer, and couples this enthusiasm for story telling with his passion for the wildlife and people of Kenya. He is also an avid birder.
Richard is a KPSGA Silver level guide.

George Kimaru

George Kimaru is from the Kikuyu tribe, and started out at Elsa's Kopje as a gardener. He was trained up as a guide by Anne Powys.
He is a KPSGA Bronze level guide, soon to gain his Silver level.
George specialises in botany, but also has a passion for cats, especially lions.

Joseph Wanderi

Joseph is also from the Kikuyu tribe, and started at Elsa's Kopje as a barman.
He is a KPSGA Silver level guide.
Joseph's favourite Bird is the Grey Headed Kingfisher, and his favourite animals are Lions, the Meru males in particular

Francis Epong

Francis is from the Turkana tribe.
He is a KPSGA Bronze level guide and is also our walking guide. He is an extremely skilled and experienced bushman. He understands animals extremely well, when you can stay and observe, and also when it is time to move on.
Meru is renowned for having some of the largest elephants left in Kenya - many Kenyans come here just to see them, but Francis is the only man who dares to get near to them. So if you want to get close to elephants, this is your man.

Paul Ematuka

Paul is from the Turkana tribe, and also started out at Elsa's Kopje as a barman.
He is a KPSGA Bronze level Guide.
Paul has a great interest of all the little things - in particular snakes and creepy crawlies, his knowledge is extensive.
Paul's favourite bird is the White Morph Paradise Fly Catcher.

PDF).