From the heart of Kenya came the stories of Elsa the lioness, the star of the novel and Academy Award-winning film, “Born Free,” and Penny the leopard, the star of the novel, “Queen of Shaba,” both taken care of by the same owner with the same goal in mind: to live in the wild. Elsa’s Kopje and Joy’s Camp, owned and operated by Cheli & Peacock, remain as a tribute to the cats’ journeys — safari camps that once housed Elsa or Penny — and carry on the conservation goals that the Adamson family held dearly.
Elsa became the first lioness successfully released back into the wild, the first to have contact after release and the first known to have cubs after release. After Elsa’s mother was shot charging two wardens, George and Joy Adamson took in and raised Elsa and two other cubs in Meru National Park where Elsa’s Kopje now stands. After a duration of six months with increasing difficulty in taking care of three cubs, the two larger cubs were sent to a zoo in the Netherlands. Instead of sending Elsa to a zoo, the Adamsons decided to keep her with the intent to free her back into the wild. As a result of many months training Elsa to hunt and survive on her own, the Adamsons were successful in the end. Although Elsa is no longer alive, guests of Elsa’s Kopje are able to visit her grave within the park.
After Elsa’s death, George and Joy Adamson’s interests went in separate directions, as did their lives (George wanted to continue to work with lions while Joy’s focus moved to other cats). Penny the leopard was 8 weeks old when a ranger found her and handed her over to Joy. The process of teaching Penny how to hunt consisted of getting Penny to jump up at or chase animal skins, then chase hares until she caught one, until finally she progressed to hunting big gazelle. Penny was another success story of an animal in captivity taught to survive on her own and released into the wild. Penny had a litter of two cubs before the publication of “Queen of Shaba.”
Joy Adamson spent the rest of her life raising money for wildlife, thanks to the popularity of “Born Free,” sharing the proceeds with various conservation projects. These conservation efforts have been carried on by Cheli & Peacock’s C&P Portfolio, a collection of 14 prestigious eco-tourism lodges that include Elsa’s Kopje and Joy’s Camp.
Elsa’s Kopje, named after Elsa the lioness and an Andrew Harper 2012 Grand Award Winner, is renowned for being one of the most elegant lodges in Africa. Elsa’s Kopje is almost invisible to the eye as you approach its home on Mughwango Hill. It blends into the rocky crags of the “kopje” (small hill), built above the site of George Adamson’s original campsite. Every cottage is the ultimate room-with-a-view and is uniquely designed and crafted, incorporating the natural features of the rocky hillside. Rates range from $410 to $650 per person sharing per night, depending on the season. This includes game drives, line fishing, bush meals, sundowners, guided bush walks, local airstrip transfers, a range of drinks and laundry.
Joy’s Camp is built on the site of Joy Adamson and Penny’s tented home in Shaba National Reserve, amidst an elegant oasis in the arid lands of Samburu. The 10 chic canvas bedrooms have views of the surrounding hills, overlooking a natural spring. Each tent is uniquely decorated with handmade glass and the vibrant fabrics of the local nomadic tribes and each tent also has its own private veranda, ideal for game viewing. Rates range from $370 to $590 per person sharing per night, depending on the season. This includes game drives, guided bush walks, bush breakfasts along the Ewaso Nyiro River and gorge, sundowners, trips to Magado Crater, local airstrip transfers, a range of drinks and laundry.
For more information, visit Elsa’s Kopje and Joy’s Camp. You may also e-mail info@chelipeacock.co.ke or call +254 (0)20 6003090/1.
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