Kitich Camp in the remote Mathews Mountains, is a rarely visited area in far northern Kenya. It is nestled in a verdant grove of fig trees, indigenous flowering shrubs and prehistoric Cycad palms.
Kitich Camp faces a bank of the seasonal Ngeng River and is surrounded by thickly wooded hillsides and craggy peaks. The people of the Mathews are the pastoral Samburu and Soyei, who used to gather in the upper valley of the Ngeng River for feasting, singing and dancing.
Here they were always assured of water and grazing for their cattle, and honey for making beer, they called it Kitich 'the place of happiness.' Kitich camp is a lush oasis amid arid surroundings. Wildlife find refuge in the Ngeng Valley, away from the competition of domestic animals.
Elephant, Lion, Leopard, greater Kudu, Waterbuck, forest Hog and Buffalo are among the species found here, together with over 100 species of birds.
Built in Nature
Everything about Kitich Camp has been left as natural as possible without sacrificing important creature comforts. Kitich Camp is a permanent tented camp of six luxury tents, each featuring its own verandah and view. Bathing is a traditional safari bucket shower. The water is heated over a cedar deadwood fire near your tent and is available in the quantity you may desire.
Walking Safaris
Because of the absence of roads, there are no game drives at Kitich Camp. Instead you can enjoy walks in the forest in the company of an armed ranger. Several walks range from the very gentle to the vigorous. For example, you can take a forty minute hike to a natural swimming pool in the forest, or an easy twenty minute stroll to an isolated fishing hole full of Catfish and Barbel.
Conservation Projects
The people of the Mathews Range are the pastoral Samburu and Soyei who used to gather together in the upper valley of Ngeng River for feasting, singing, and dancing. Here they were always assured of water and grazing for their cattle and honey for making beer.
They called this area 'Kitich - the place of happiness'. Kitich Camp is a lush oasis amid arid surroundings and is one of the real conservation successes of Kenya.
A grass roots approach that has resulted in a win-win situation for people, wildlife and the environment. The wildlife find refuge in the Ngeng Valley away from the competition of domestic animals. Elephants, Lions, Leopards, greater Kudus, Waterbucks, giant forest Hogs, Buffalos and wild Dogs are among the many species found here, together with more than 200 birds' species.
The Environment is being preserved for future generations of Samburu, wildlife and visitors. The Samburu themselves have received great benefits from the guests of the camp, trough the Conservation Fee which everyone of them pays by staying at Kitich. The compensation they receive goes directly to the community, and is not filtered through a conservation organization or the government.
The funds received benefit the entire community, from education to health care and community development. But those who benefit most are the ones who are lucky enough to come to enjoy this unique environment and conservation challenge.
Make your Kenya safari truly unique and visit one of the most special camps in Kenya. Kitich Forest Camp is set in a rare mountain forest in...