Kalepo Camp, a small and exclusive-use safari camp, is nestled at the northern end of Namunyak Conservancy. Opened in April 2020, this intimate tented camp overlooks a dry river bed and the awe-inspiring Matthews Mountains. Owned and managed by Storm and Rob Mason, the camp has 5 guest tents (and a 6th on the way by 2025) and offers a unique experience.
When conditions are right, Namunyak is a fabulous area to walk, which can bring balance to the game drive time spent at other locations on your safari. Walking also offers the opportunity to visit some of the local communities in the area. The predominant tribe around the Matthews mountains is the Samburu; their life and culture remains much the same as many decades ago, Storm and Rob have a good relationship with the local community.
The elephants can be spectacular, and watching an elephant feed or drink while you relax in the pool or your tent is lovely. We like to use this camp as a base to explore the north of Kenya by helicopter. The dunes and flamingos of the Suguta valley are less than an hour away, and the mountain tops of the Ndoto’s offer cool ridge walks through magical forest with views that go forever.
About This Area
The Matthews is a magnificent mountain range. They rise out of the surrounding semi-arid deserts and run south to north and feel like they could be the spine of Kenya. The granite ridges are steep slopes if you are lucky enough to walk along these peaks they give some of the finest views in Kenya. The mountains rise high enough to form much wetter microclimates; consequently, these mountains are shrouded in the most magical forest, filled with croton, podocarpus, juniper, and olive forests that support several species of monkeys, including fabulous black and white colobus. There are crystal clear streams that tumble through the valleys, some are seasonal and others are permanent and hold bright fish. The mountains are a vital refuge in times of drought for the local Samburu and their cattle, who climb to higher pastures and water in the dry season. The elephants also rely on these forests and rivers to hold them through to the rainy season.
They are pretty remote and walking safaris in and around the Matthews are wonderful in the right season. We love to visit them by helicopter and it is very special to heli-hike along some of the ridges high above the plains. If you like fishing you can fly fish for barbel, casting from beaches covered in elephant footprints.
Kalepo Camp
