KITICH CAMP, Matthew’s Mountain Range

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.

Patrick Reynolds - Manager

• In his late 40s Patrick is well known in the safari world, as one of Africa’s leading walking guides.  Most of his career has been in Tsavo East (Tiva), the Masai Mara, and in the early days with Robin Pope and Norman Carr in the South Luangwa Valley.
• Patrick is very excited about walking in the Mathews Forest, one of the most beautiful walking areas in Kenya.  He has already built up a good library of reference books including the indigenous orchids and butterflies.

GUIDES

Lepekin

• Lepekin is a Samburu by tribe, and has worked with Giulio for the last ten years.
• Lepekin never went to school, he is now approximately thirty-five years old and understands basic English.
• He was born in Kitich, so the forest and bush of the Matthew’s Range have been his home for his whole life.

Lebite

• Lebite is from the Ndorobo tribe. He was born in a cave, which still exists, up in the mountains not far from Kitich camp.
• The first time Lebite saw someone who did not belong to his family was at the age of 20.
• Lebite later had to decide if he would become the best poacher of the region, or one of the best rangers of KWS. He opted for the latter, and continued to work for the KWS until his retirement last year.
• He is approximately 60 years old, but has “petrol inside for another sixty”.
• Giulio has known Lebite since he first arrived in Kitich, as Lebite’s station was in the same area.
• I use to go out with the rangers when I was free from guest and we developed a wonderful friendship.
• Now that is retired his working with me when I have guests and looking after his cows for the rest of the time.