African Skies - A Flying Safari Across Africa

Written by Charlotte Friday, 06 January 2012 09:12

A once in a lifetime opportunity, to travel an age-old route across Africa from Cairo to Cape Town, but this time by private plane...

Imagine - a flying safari from the Pyramids at Gizeh, to the Gorillas in Rwanda, over Victoria Falls and everything in between, all the way to the Southern tip of this breathtaking continent.

The journey begins in Cairo, and after visiting 17 of Africa's most fascinating and memorable spots, it ends in Cape Town.

Even the aircraft is an experience in itself - a beautiful new, luxuriously-fitted, private Cessna Caravan. Soar across Africa's most stunning landscapes, viewing wildlife, enchanting villages and vast expanses of savannah, lakes, rivers, forest, mountain and desert at low level.

Dates:
21st May - 18th June 2012

Want to know more?
Please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more a copy of the African Skies PDF brochure

Elsa's Kopje Revealed as an Andrew Harper 2012 Grand Award Winner

Written by Charlotte Thursday, 05 January 2012 10:23

A Message From Lewa's CEO

Written by Charlotte Thursday, 22 December 2011 08:57

Those of you who have visited us at Lewa in recent years may well have remarked upon how dry, dusty and often windy it has been. For the past four years the long and short rains of April and November respectively, which provide the ‘lifeblood’ and energy for the Lewa ecosystem, have been unpredictable and inconsistent. In truly contrary fashion the weather has surprised us again, giving one of the wettest October / November seasons to date. Rivers, dams, springs are full; grass and woody vegetation is in abundance and the wildlife in splendid health! Lewa’s roads and other essential infrastructure however are looking slightly the worse for wear and the Conservancy’s Logistics team will no doubt have their work cut out once the rains have finished.

One of the enduring memories for 2011 will be the clear realization that the battle for survival of Kenya’s and ultimately Africa’s rhinoceros was truly joined and that the pressure being felt here on Lewa represents a microcosm of that being experienced in all other rhino conservancies, public and private across the country and elsewhere on the continent. At time of writing over 400 animals have been killed in South Africa, some with their horns taken whilst they are still alive, left for dead by well organized criminal syndicates who have diversified their activities into another ‘high value’ nefarious business. Kenya has been lucky not to be subject to pressure of this level but the slow attrition rate currently being experienced has the potential to accelerate, as demand for horn is driven by a market willing to pay massive sums to meet the unrelenting appetite for the purported medicinal properties.

We will continue to invest significant time, energy, funds and intellect into mitigating the threat to the Conservancy’s founding species. The battle however will certainly not be won in the field alone and engagement with partners to develop avenues for lobbying market countries in the Far East will be perpetuated as a focus of our efforts moving into next year.

In 2012 our strategic conservation focus will be twofold, firstly to drive the growth and strengthen the conservation commitment and connectivity in areas adjacent to Lewa which will begin early next year with support to Borana Conservancy, as they look to make habitat available to black rhino; a significant commitment in the current climate. Once Borana’s black rhino population is assessed as having stabilized we will move swiftly onto realizing a long held joint vision of amalgamating the two Conservancies.

Secondly we will drive an enhanced effort to support continued success of the community conservation vision, born here within Lewa over 15 years ago. The enduring and mutually beneficial partnership between Lewa and Northern Rangelands Trust is key to conservation success in northern Kenya and the proposed expansion of the current Lewa Education Program into a greater, regional entity is testament to the clear opportunities that exist between our two dynamic organizations.
We here at Lewa thank you all for your unwavering commitment and belief in the vision of Lewa and Northern Rangelands Trust and very much hope to see you in north Kenya during 2012.

Cheli & Peacock Wins at Eco Warrior Awards

Written by Charlotte Monday, 28 November 2011 07:42

Cheli & Peacock swept up four awards at Ecotourism Kenya's 2011 Eco-Warrior Awards, held in Nairobi on Friday 25th November.

The Eco-Warrior Awards recognize innovations and exceptional achievements for promoting responsible tourism and enhancing tourism sustainability. These efforts directly conserve the natural environment, linked to local communities through mutually beneficial and equitable partnerships.
Nature conservation through community development by tourism is the essence of ecotourism.

Our four award titles are as follows:

• Ecotourism Enterprise of the Year - Tour Operator - Cheli & Peacock
• Ecotourism Enterprise of the Year - Small Lodge - Elsa's Kopje
• Private Conservancy of the Year - Mara North Conservancy
• Ecotourism Partnership of the Year - Cheli & Peacock (with Kenya Wildlife Trust)

For more information about these awards and to receive a copy of our official press release, please contact Charlotte at Cheli & Peacock.