Lake Baringo Tycoons: The Families And Billionaires Behind The Region’s Top Lodges
In this story
Lake Baringo is one of only two freshwater lakes in the Kenyan Rift Valley, the other one being Lake Naivasha.
The lake is surrounded by numerous hotels, resorts, and lodges that have shaped the area’s tourism industry for decades.
In this article, WoK uncovers the tycoons behind five of Lake Baringo’s lodges
Job Chebon — Soi Safari Lodge
John Chebon is the owner of Soi Safari Lodge, which is located at Kampi Samaki, on the western shores of Lake Baringo.
The lodge sits directly on the lakeshore and offers views across Lake Baringo, with the Tugen Hills to the west and the Laikipia Escarpment to the east.
According to its official website, Soi Lodge features 86 rooms across three wings.
These include standard rooms, deluxe accommodation, accessible rooms, and interconnecting rooms for families
In August 2020, Business Daily described Soi as a nearly 200-bed establishment.
At the time, the manager, Peter Chebii, said that the lodge had lost revenues of over ksh 50 million due to rising water levels which had swallowed a section of the property.
Caroline and Ross Withey — Samatian Island Lodge
Caroline, aka Caro, and her husband Ross Withey are the owners and managers of Samatian Island.
The couple also own Roca River Camp in the Maasai Mara.
They built Samatian Lodge on a private island in the middle of Lake Baringo, near Kampi ya Samaki.
Visitors can only access it by boat. They are treated to bird-watching sites, hot springs, boat excursions to neighbouring islands, and excursions to Lake Bogoria National Reserve and the Tugen Hills.
The lodge, which was originally a family home, features five open-plan cottages built using materials including palm, wood and stone.
Simon Chebon —Tumbili Cliff Lodge
Mr Simon Chebon is the founder of Tumbili Cliff Lodge, which is located on the banks of Lake Baringo.
The lodge is famous for birdwatching, with Lake Baringo being home to more than 450 bird species.
It is also home to one of the few astronomical observatories in Kenya. There, guests use a telescope to observe planets and the night sky in its full glory.
It also offers boat safaris, nature walks, and visits to Njemps and Pokot communities.
The lodge has at least six rooms constructed using local materials.
The Roberts Family — Roberts Camp
The Roberts family are a literal hospitality dynasty, having settled in Kenya in the late 1940s.
They own Roberts Camp, which is located on the shores of Lake Baringo at Kampi ya Samaki near Marigat Town.
David Roberts, the patriarch of the family, ran a thriving commercial fishing business on the shores of Lake Baringo.
Courtesy of his efforts, the area became known as Kampi ya Samaki (“Fishing Camp”).
Their daughter, Caroline, operates Samatian Island Lodge.
The Roberts family also own Mobile Expeditions, one of Kenya’s most bespoke mobile safari operators.
They also own Sirikoi Lodge, Richard’s Forest Camp, Rusinga Island Lodge, Ol Chorro Conservancy, among other properties.
Perrie Hennessy, Bonnie Dunbar and Michael Beamish — Island Lodges
Perrie Hennessy, Bonnie Dunbar, and Michael Beamish are the owners of Island Camp, located on Ol Kokwe Island, a volcanic island in the middle of Lake Baringo.
Island Camp was established in 1972 and is one of the oldest lodges in Lake Baringo.
The camp is known for its tented accommodation, which is built among the rocky outcrops and vegetation of Ol Kokwe Island.
It also offers nature walks, water sports, and boating activities.
Additionally, birdwatching is one of its main attractions, with Lake Baringo hailed as one of Africa’s premier birding destinations.
