Owners, Managers and Guides

Liz & Stefano Cheli – Owners
Born of Italian parents, Stefano grew up in Kenya, spending his early days on farms and lodges owned by an Italian Count, which included Loisaba Ranch and Oasis Lodge at Lake Turkana – Stefano’s favourites.  He completed secondary schooling and his National Service in Italy, 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, and completed secondary schooling and College in 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.

Stephen & Tania Hitchins - Investors
More recent converts to the joys and romance of Kenya and its wildlife Investors in Elsa’s Kopje, Tortilis, Joy’s Camp and Kitich Camp.  Natives of Gloucestershire in the United Kingdom, with son Harry & daughter Chloe. Involved in residential and commercial development in the West of England and South Wales Founders of the Desert Springs Resort & Golf Club in Almeria in South East Spain.
See Spain Property www.desertsprings.co.uk www.hitchins.co.uk

Managers

Andrea & Manuela

Andrea and Manuele are originally from Torino, Italy, and came to Kenya in 1997, after travelling to many safari destinations in Africa.  They visited this glorious country, went back to Italy to sell their business and returned!  Having been based in the north of Kenya and travelling around the whole of Samburu, and Lake Turkana in their trusty 1979 Landrover, they are enjoying the magnificent views of Mt. Kilimanjaro and the salty plains of Amboseli.  A hands on team; Stefano has entrusted them with the precious Italian recipies originally taught to the Tortilis cooks by his mother!

GUIDES

Juma Maclean

• “I Maclean Juma Wanyama was the last born in a family of six. I was born in the Western Province, in a village called Nambuku. I am not married yet. Academically I went through primary school and secondary school, and then joined college at ‘Wildlife Clubs of Kenya Centre for Tourism Training and Research’. There I became qualified in Tour Guiding and Administration as a professional course.
• Recently I was employed by Tortilis Camp Ltd. I really enjoy working with them. The most admirable thing in my life is to be a successful Conservationist and Environmentalist."
•  Juma is a KPSGA Bronze level guide, and joined Tortilis Camp in 2007.
• Favourite animal: Leopard
• Favourite bird: Martial Eagle

Ali Makenzi - Head Guide

• “I was born in Kilifi in 1970 and my family moved to Mombasa when I was two years old. I am now married, and a proud father of five.
• My nursery, primary and secondary education was in Mombasa. Due to a lack of finance, I was unable to complete my secondary education.
• In 1987 I joined Cheli & Peacock Safaris, this was when the company was young and I was working in the mobile camping safaris.
• Cheli & Peacock started building Tortilis Camp in 1993. I was involved in the actual construction, and later in 1994 I started learning about wildlife and tour guiding. In 1995 I started my guiding career.
• In 1997 I qualified as KPSGA bronze level, now I am looking forward to passing my Silver level”.
• Tribe: Giriama
• Favourite animal: Elephant
• Favourite bird: African Hoopoe

Joel Cheruiyot - Assistant Head Guide

• “I was born in 1974 in Kericho district, 3rd born in a family of twelve.  I went through primary and secondary school within the district.  After I graduated from Kenya Utalii College in 1997, I was given a contract with African Tours & Hotels to work in their tour department desk, which was good experience for me since I managed to visit all their lodges in different parks and game reserves in the country.
• During my visits I loved to see animals and birds, I had always wanted to be a safari guide.
• In 1998, the company closed down and I joined Travel Ways as a driver guide. I managed to visit some parks but it was a small tour company, hence not busy.
• In July 1999 I got myself a job with Tortilis Camp, and I am happy that I still work for them.
• I got married in 2002 and I am blessed with two children, Valerie who is 4½ years old and Brian who is 2½ years old.
• Thanks to the owners of Tortilis and the management, for giving me a chance to fulfil my dreams.”
• Joel qualified as a KPSGA Bronze Level guide in 1999.
• Favourite animal: Elephant
• Favourite bird: Grey Crowned Crane

Leperes Pilot

• “I was born in Masai Mara, where I went to Primary School, and became an acting member of Friends of Conservation.
• In 2003, I qualified from Air Travel College with a diploma in ‘Tour guiding, Administration and Japanese’.
• Between 2004 and 2006 I worked as a guide in Masai Mara before moving to Amboseli and joining Tortilis Camp"
• Leperes qualified as a KPSGA Bronze Level guide in 2005. He has been working for Tortilis Camp since July 2006.
• Favourite animal: Elephants & Giraffes
• Favourite bird: Saddle-billed Stork & Pied Kingfisher

Eric Saibulu Ole Kalama

• "I am a Maasai from Kajiado, Olgulului Village.  I was born 33 years ago and raised in the same village.  Although I used to look after the cattle and goats back home, at the same time went to school.  I finished primary school in 1994, but due to lack of funds I did not pursue to high school.
• I was interested in animals and birds since I come from Amboseli, and I studied them on my own.
• Luckily I joined the Amboseli Elephant Research Project from 1997 to 2004.  I also worked for the Human Wildlife Conflicts Programme for six months, helping them to collect data from the communities.
• I joined Tortilis Camp in 2005."
• Saibulu qualified as a KPSGA Bronze Level guide in 2008, and is studying for his Silver.
• Favourite animal: Elephant
• Favourite bird: Eric is a very keen birder, and all of them are his favourites!

Simon Thuo

• "I was born over four decades ago and brought up as a common African child, herding cattle and sheep.  I went to school through primary up to secondary level.
• I was introduced to tourism guiding by my father who was a guide himself, and worked for a number of tourism companies before joining Tortilis Camp in 1999.  I hope to continue here for many years, as this is the best camp I have seen and worked with.
• I am married with children."
• Simon is a qualified KPSGA Bronze Level guide.

Joseph Chege

• “I am aged twenty-nine years old. I was born in Kenya’s Central Province, but brought up in the Rift Valley.
• I went to a missionary-sponsored primary and secondary school. After completing high school level in 1999 I joined the Wildlife Club of Kenya Centre for Tourism and Research (C.T.T.R.), and carried out a course on Tour Guiding and Tour Administration. After this I joined Moi University, where I completed a Diploma Course in Tourism ad Wildlife Studies.
• I worked for several tour companies in my home area before joining Tortilis Camp. I am from the Kikuyu tribe, part of the Bantu ethnic group of Kenya. Kikuyu’s are the largest tribe in Kenya, and are best known for farming and entrepreneurship in various parts of the company.
• I have many siblings, and am not yet married. I am a Christian by faith, and believe in hard work and always to be the best. My motto has brought me this far.
• My hobbies are bird watching, game viewing, eco-tourism, reading wildlife and geographical journals, socializing and listening to music. My personal interest is community service.”
• Joseph’s favourite animal is the Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) and his favourite bird is the Secretary Bird (Sagittarius serpentarius).
• He qualified as a KPSGA Bronze level guide in 2002. He has been guiding at Tortilis since 2006.

Walking Guides - Jonathan Yampat & William Kelemba

Jonathan and William come from the community around Tortilis Camp, and have been walking this area since they were very young.  They enjoy taking clients for walks through their land, explaining the herbs, tracks, and "small things" that are part of their lives.