Kitich Camp

Mathews Range Samburu

Walking | Hiking | Fly-Camping hosted by Namunyak Community Conservancy

From the dry, yellow savannah that epitomizes northern Kenya’s expansive plains rises 900 square kilometers of lush mountain forest like no other in East Africa;the Mathew Range Samburu.This is a place where elephants forge trails amongst ancient hardwood trees and endemic cycads, where crystal clear streams form natural swimming pools, and where rare and endangered monkeys thrive under the protection of local Samburu communities.

Nestled in one of the valleys – overlooking a river frequented by African painted dogs, colourful birds, leopards and elephants – are six tents. Kitich Forest Camp offers traditional safari charm in a wilderness quite unlike any other in Africa, and delivers an experience as equally unforgettable for those discovering Africa for the first time, as it does for those lucky enough to have spent many years exploring it.

Kitich is hosted by Namunyak Community Conservancy

— which spans 383,000-acres and is owned and managed by the local Samburu community. A member of the Northern Rangelands Trust, Namunyak was one of the first community conservancies in Kenya, and continues to use conservation as a way to improve the lives of local people through development projects and enterprise, and by promoting peace with neighbouring communities. Revenue from tourism is a critical part of this model, providing incentives for sustainable land management and the preservation of wildlife.

Accommodation-Tents

Kitich Forest Camp was originally established as just that – a camp in the forest, intended to have as little a footprint as possible and blend in with the wild landscape around it. We’ve stayed true to this, with six en-suite canvas tents that offer guests all the rustic charm of an old-school safari experience, without compromising on comfort and luxury. Each tent has its own private veranda overlooking the Ngeng River valley, frequented by elephants, painted dogs, buffalo and antelope. The bathrooms are equipped with a flushing toilet and hot showers.

Activities

If you want a traditional safari in the back of a 4×4, you won’t find it here. If you’re looking for the chance to ditch the dulcet humming of an engine and walk through pristine ancient forest with a local tracker, treading in the footprints of a leopard to the sound of a hundred bird calls – you’ve come to the right place. The forests around camp are home to over 350 bird species, more than 150 species of butterfly, a number of wild forest orchids, and a rare and endemic giant cycad – a plant that looks like it belongs in the age of the dinosaurs. They are also home to forest elephants, leopard, buffalo, wild dog, greater kudu, waterbuck, giant forest hog and the only population of De Brazza monkeys in Kenya. Walking, or the longer hikes, is the only way to truly experience this magical place, and we have experienced Samburu trackers on staff who have an incredible mental map of the forest paths, as well as an in-depth knowledge of the tracks, spoors and calls of local wildlife. All walks are accompanied by an armed ranger.

Walking | Hiking | Fly-Camping
Swimming in Rock Pools
Bush Picnics and Sundowners
Cultural Visits: Singing Wells and Ngilai Village
Sundowners in the Valley

Hiking

A 3 Day Walking /Hiking safari with a mobile camp & camels

A walking safari is the most authentic and immersive way to enjoy an African safari. Leaving the roads behind and setting off on foot.

– A 3 Day Hiking Safari –
DAY 1 – Setting off through the beautiful low country, following flat sand luggas (dried river beds) you may choose to ride the camels or walk 2 to 3 hours. Have the night in a fly-camp, set under the stars!
DAY 2 – Wake before the dawn in the cool of the morning, the stars are still twinkling and streaks of light start to appear across the dawn sky. Set off for a night at Kitich Forest Camp, arrive in time for lunch!
DAY 3 – After a leisurely breakfast in camp, your luggage will be loaded onto donkeys and you set off up the Kojos Valley. Fly-camp deep in the Mathews Range, surrounded by ancient forests!
DAY 4 – The Grand Finale – descend the Murit – the donkeys will arrive with your luggage which will be loaded into your transfer vehicles for your onward travel to the airstrip.