We have studied selected rare-earth doped and transition-metal doped CeFe2 compounds by examining their structural, magnetic and magneto-thermal properties. With substitution of Ce by 5% and 10% Gd and 10% Ho, the Curie temperature can be tuned to the range 267-318 K. Localization of Ce 4f electronic state with rare earth substitutions is attributed for the enhancement of Curie temperature. On the other hand, with Ga and Al substitution at the Fe site, the system undergoes paramagnetic to ferromagnetic transition and then to an antiferromagnetic phase on cooling. The magnetocaloric effect across the transitions has been studied from both magnetization isotherms and heat capacity data. It is shown that by choosing the appropriate dopant and its concentration, the magnetocaloric effect around room temperature can be tuned. © 2010 IOP Publishing Ltd.