Owners, Managers and Guides

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy - owner

Lewa Safari Camp is owned by Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.  A 60,000 acre wildlife conservancy, "LWC" is one of the most successful private wildlife conservation initiatives; working as a catylist for the conservation of wildlife and its habitat.  LWC conserves threatened species within its area of operation, and has been a driving force in rhino conservation.  It works to keep migration routes open, and to involve; and contribute to the education and wellbeing of; communities living with wildlife.  Within the 60,000 acre conservancy tourism development is restricted and controlled.

In 2009 LWC put the management of its tourism flagship, Lewa Safari Camp, out to tender; and Cheli & Peacock Management were awarded the full management contract.  The lodge has since undergone extensive renovation, under the direction of Stefano Cheli, so that camp operations are ecologically responsible, to ensure the camp is economically viable, and to upgrade all aspects of client experience.  All profits from the lodge's operations are ploughed back into conservation projects by Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.

Managers

Mary & Bart Lever-Morrison
Mary and Bart have worked for the Cheli & Peacock group for many years, looking after Tortilis Camp in Amboseli National Park.  In 2010 they rejoined the group to take over the care of Lewa Safari Camp.  Young and dynamic, their attention to detail and cuisine is outstanding.  Mary is Canadian and has worked in the African tourism industry since leaving college.  Bart is from the Netherlands, and met Mary while they were both managing lodges in Malawi. They were married at Tortilis Camp in Amboseli, and have three young boys.

Guides

Nissa - Head Guide
Nissa comes from the neighbouring local community, Ilngwesi, and went to school at DolDol Secondary.  He joined Lewa Wildlife Conservancy as a guide in 2002.  Nissa has always been a prominent participant in many community projects facilitated by the Conservancy.  He is a Director of Ilngwesi Community Lodge, spending some of his time actively marketing the lodge.  He participated in the founding operations of Northern Rangeland Trust, using his knowledge and first-hand community experience to explain the potential value of wildlife to pastorlist communities; and is assisting with the implementation of NRT systems within the Ilngwesi and Tassia communities.   During his off days away from guiding duties Nissa teaches Environmental Science in the local primary school.  Passionate about the Conservancy, Nissa's great love is the big cats.
Nissa is a Silver level KPSGA guide.

Alex
Alex comes from the neighbouring local community, Ilngwesi, and because he was so naughty at home, his father sent him to school, to DolDol Secondary.  His started work at the Ilngwesi Community Lodge in 2008 doing everything from waitering, and guiding camel walks and bush walks.  Joining Lewa Safari Camp in 2009, Alex is passionate about the Conservancy, and their commitment to supporting communities, he says "without Lewa Conservancy, Ilngwesi Comminity Lodge would not be there".  Alex loves all aspects of wildlife and guiding, but birding is his special interest.
Alex is a Bronze level KPSGA guide.

Tom
Born and brought up on the slopes of Mount Kenya, 50 Kms South of Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Born into a family of small scale mixed farming, Tom spent most of his childhood looking after his father's livestock in a wildlife rich area. This motivated my interest with wildlife from an early age.
Tom attended school in his local village after which he trained as a waiter in a nearby hotel. In 2000, he joined Lewa Wildlife Conservancy where he worked as a waiter at the same time as training to be a guide for two years. Returning to his studies, Tom went on to do a two year Diploma in Tour Guiding and Administration at the leading Tourism and Wildlife Institution, at Kenya Utalii College. Tom is now qualified as a bronze level K.S.P.G.A. guide, and looks forward to sitting his silver exam during September 2010. Tom has now been guiding on Lewa Wildlife Conservancy since 2002, and has also guided in Amboseli, the Masai Mara, Rift Valley and coast region. He has a special interest in bird watching, and his favourite mammal is the Elephant (his surname Njogu means  Elephants in Kikuyu!).

Laban
Laban is a Masai and his family is from the Narok region.  He attended school at Mugolo Secondary School in Molo as he had extended family living in that area.  Laban studied Tourguiding and Administration at the Hotel & Tourism College in Nakuru in the Rift Valley.  After finishing his studies in 2003 he found employement as a guide with lodges in Laikipia Region and the Masai Mara, before joing Lewa as a guide in 2006.  He thinks the Conservancy does wonderful work, both in its work for endangered species primarily the rhino and the Grevy zebra, but also in all the work it does for neighbouring communities.  His favourite animal is the cheetah - its effortless speed and the fact it only eats fresh kills is fascinating.
Laban is a Bronze level KPSGA guide.

Bashir
Bashir comes from the neighbouring town of Isiolo, and started guiding on Lewa Conservancy in 2004.  He left to attend the Amboseli Institute for 3 years getting his Diploma in Tour Guiding, and returned to Lewa in 2008.  He says that getting close to animals still fascinates him, and the three Cheetah brothers on Lewa are his favourites.