Bangkok, 29 April 2015: Minor Hotel Group (MHG), a hotel owner, operator and investor, with a portfolio of 133 hotels and resorts in 22 countries, is pleased to announce the addition of six camps in Kenya to its growing global portfolio. This is the result of two of East Africa’s most prestigious property portfolios merging, following the acquisition of Cheli & Peacock Group of Companies by the Elewana Collection.
The acquisition sees the six Cheli & Peacock properties, namely, Elsa’s Kopje, Elephant Pepper Camp, Joy’s Camp, Tortillis Camp, Kitich Camp and Lewa Safari Camp, merge under the banner of the Elewana Collection to form a comprehensive circuit of 14 properties spanning the highlights of Northern Tanzania, Kenya and Zanzibar. The merger offers operators and agents a seamless experience when booking Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar.
The Cheli & Peacock Portfolio represents six of Kenya’s finest safari lodges and camps located in some of the country’s most iconic parks and conservancies. The properties are all vastly different in design and geography but they all share the same attitude toward service, social responsibility and community partnerships.
Tortilis Camp in Amboseli is best known for its unrivalled views of Kilimanjaro and the local elephant population, with over 1000 elephants in the park’s eco-system. To experience camping in the heart of the African bush, Elephant Pepper Camp is in the prime core of the protected Mara North Conservancy wilderness area. Elsa’s Kopje, famed for the breath taking views spanning across the Meru National Park, is named after Elsa the lioness, made famous by George and Joy Adamson’s book and film “Born Free”. An elegant oasis in the arid lands of Samburu, Joy’s Camp is located in Shaba National Reserve and is made up of ten luxury tents. Lewa Safari Camp has a stunning location within Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, with views of Mt. Kenya to the south and the arid lowlands to the north, and the six-tent Kitich Camp in the Matthews Forest is ideal for adventurous travellers wanting to explore precious wilderness.
Cheli & Peacock Safaris tour operator will continue to act completely independently of the Elewana Collection under the leadership of founders Stefano and Liz Cheli. Stefano and Liz will focus on innovations within the Company to enhance its offering as a destination experience manager.
Dillip Rajakarier, CEO Minor Hotel Group, commented, “The addition of the six Cheli and Peacock camps to the Elewana Collection represents a really exciting development in Kenya for Minor Hotel Group and our partners. The expanded Elewana Collection now offers a portfolio of 14 camps, lodges and boutique beach hotels in Kenya, Tanzania and the island of Zanzibar, providing unparalleled African wildlife-viewing and beach holiday opportunities with an emphasis on stylish and luxurious comfort.”
Karim S. Wissanji, Chairman and CEO, Elewana Collection comments “We are delighted about this partnership. The combination of Cheli & Peacock’s long-standing history and experience of safaris and that of our now enhanced regional product offering will deliver a truly genuine and memorable destination experience for all our mutual clients.”
Stefano Cheli, CEO, Cheli & Peacock Safari’s adds “Liz and myself have been immersed in Kenyan safari holidays since we first started guiding mobile safari camps 30 years ago. This merger will allow us to take our combined experience and really focus on the intricacies that go towards guaranteeing guests an outstanding safari experience in a wider region of East Africa.”
The addition of the six Cheli and Peacock camps to the Elewana Collection brings MHG’s overall hotel count to 133. In Africa, MHG now has a portfolio of 25 properties in seven countries across three of its hotel brands – Anantara, AVANI and the Elewana Collection. A fourth brand will be added later this year when Essque Zalu Zanzibar, which is currently managed by MHG, is rebranded to Per AQUUM. This total also includes Radisson Blu Hotel, Maputo, in Mozambique, which is owned by MHG. The group also recently announced the development of two new Anantara resorts in North Africa – one in Tozeur, Tunisia and one in Tangier, Morocco, both to open in 2017.
Attachments