Matthew's Range
Kitich Camp is a truly remote and private location set in a pristine forest on the upper slopes of the Mathews Mountains (also known as the Lenkiyio Hills). The camp has guarded this vast natural forest for more than 40 years and was originally set up in the 1970s as a private hideaway for his friends by the celebrated hunter and conservationist Miles Burton. The forest covers some 900 square kilometres of Mathews Mountains' peaks, which soar so high above the lowlands that the BBC described the area as a “biological bonanza" on a "sky island".
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With a maximum of just 12 guests here at any time, meals are taken together overlooking a lush river glade. The Italy-inspired food is superb, the bread is freshly baked and the organic vegetables are produced on site. The camp was completely refurbished in 2009, and state-of-the-art solar power has been installed. There's also a comfortable seating area. The Mathews range falls within the community-owned Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy Trust, which receives an income from the lodge to fund community development.
New and refreshed camp with brand new tents! There are only six tents – three with double beds and three with twins, so the lodge is peaceful and private. Each tent overlooks the lush gorge of the Ngeng River and consists of a main bedroom and an en-suite bathroom with traditional safari “butler” shower and composting toilets. The decor is tranquil and comforting, with warm blankets to protect you against chilly evenings.
This is not game-driving country, so Kitich stands alone. By day, guests explore forest trails and mountain streams on foot with Samburu guides who know this area intimately and will edify you with their descriptions of the hardwood trees, cycads, orchids, birds and butterflies. Enjoy a swim in a clear mountain pool. At night, watch elephant, buffalo, bushbuck and occasionally leopard drink from the floodlit river.
A top-of-the-world swim in a diamond-clear pool that flows out of a spring in the mountains. Magic!
Nightfall doesn't bring an end to the game-viewing. Keep an eye out for animals emerging from the forest at night to drink from the river.
Many of the forest's most magical inhabitants are best observed on foot – 150-plus butterfly species, more than 350 species of birds, wild forest orchids and the endemic giant cycad.
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Hike, bike & ride through this remote, sparse and spectacular mountain range in northern Kenya.
