Elewana has relaunched its popular Double Discount savings offer ensuring that guests booking in the popular window from 1st November 2022 to 31st January 2023 will be in for an absolute bargain. Book six nights at Elewana properties and receive a 20% discount, book nine nights and receive an even greater 30% reduction.

This offer is valid for travel from 1st November 2022 to 30th June 2023 and excludes the festive season. The offer is applicable when combining any Elewana bush and beach properties, excluding the Arusha Coffee Lodge. Only applicable to new bookings and subject to availability. Cannot be combined with any other special offer and not valid on resident rates.

Wildlife viewing just became a lot clearer with the addition of new Vortex optics in game vehicles. It has long been a ‘must have’ accessory on any safari but it’s surprising how many guests embark on their journey without binoculars. To ensure that Elewana guests maximise on their game drives and do not miss a thing, new Vortex binoculars will be available on all vehicles.

Guests in Elewana game drive vehicles in Kenya will now be afforded uninterrupted views through the introduction of retractable windscreens throughout the fleet in the country. Both professional and amateur photographers alike will welcome this addition which will help facilitate immaculate wildlife images. It also means that all seats in the vehicle will have a similar clear vista ensuring everyone has the best experience possible.

Land & Life Foundation recently offered a free medical camp for all women, men, youth and children in collaboration with the CHP Aitong Health Centre, in Aitong town, near Elewana’s Sand River Masai Mara camp, as well as support of school provisions for the Ganako Primary School, located near the Manor at Ngorongoro.

This month, L&L supported a team of volunteer doctors in collaboration with the CHP Aitong Health Centre, in Aitong town, provided families with services free of charge including dental check-ups, eye examinations, gynaecological, paediatrics and general medicine. In addition, women who were screened and tested positive for Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) received free consultation and treatment.

L&L has also been supporting Ganako Primary School, which neighbours the Manor at Ngorongoro, with fundraising for developments and provision of school supplies. The school, which has a number of students with special needs, has received over 150 textbooks and school stationery. There is still more that can be done to develop the school's infrastructure and L&L hopes to keep supporting the school’s needs with supplies, infrastructure and sport equipment.

If you would like to visit or donate to any of the Land & Life Foundation initiatives, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

© www.lewa.org

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy celebrated World Rhino Day on Thursday, 22nd September 2022, with the ‘Footsteps for Rhinos’ 6 km-walk through the Conservancy. The event was attended by close to 200 people who walked for roughly 2 hours in the hot sun, including participants from communities surrounding Lewa and partner organizations, as well as support from lodges including Lewa Safari Camp and Kifaru House. The event was a demonstration of the community’s sincere commitment to protecting and preserving the rhino population.

Each footprint served as testament with the Conservancy’s solidarity with the rhino population. Thanks to Lewa’s continuous work with local communities, they have had great success in helping to shift community views regarding wildlife in the Lewa area. Community buy-in is a vital part of ensuring the sustainability of the Conservancy’s programs.

This month we had an opportunity to connect with Elewana’s retail managers, Lauren McFarlane and Alison Hugo, who oversee the the purchasing and organisation of retail products and gifts at the retail boutiques at properties in Tanzania and Kenya.

How do you choose which products to feature in each of the camps

We try to incorporate items from local communities, such as jewellery from a local Maasai village, as well as items that are relevant to the environment and wildlife of each camp. For example, at Loisaba, we feature retail items with the black leopards which have made their habitat in the Conservancy while at Amboseli, which is known for its beautiful population of elephants, we like to share gifts that highlight the gentle giants.

Can you share more about how the products are ethically sourced

Wherever possible we support local communities or community driven employment opportunities. We also look at what the products are made from, e.g. sustainable wood choices or recycled materials, such as plastics or metal. We focus on sourcing where there is social impact and support local small business in each respective country, wherever possible.

What are some of the more favourite/bestsellers amongst guests

Guests really love to return home with mementos representing local crafts such as Maasai beadwork or a special piece of jewellery that will bring back memories of their time on safari with Elewana.

What are some of your most favourite gifts that you've selected

There are lots of beautiful gifts made by local communities, so it is difficult to choose. Local artists who create housewares utilising recycled materials including repurposed textiles and glass are a favourite, as well as felt stuffed animals made by a local orphanage in Kenya. In Tanzania, guests love to purchase products from Shanga which is located next door to Arusha Coffee Lodge. The workshop and boutique offer handblown glassware, handmade jewellery, Tinga paintings, metal work and charm bracelets and necklaces made with recycled fishing wire and a selection of tunic dresses, skirts, and sarongs for youngsters made with kitenge materials in vibrant African inspired colours.

Are there gifts that are featured only in certain camps/lodges or only in Kenya or Tanzania

Yes, our beach properties offer sarongs which are not sold at our bush camps. Many of our bush camps also feature gifts connected to a specific community-based project located near the camp, whether it’s a particular style of beaded jewellery, beaded placemats, or other items made by local Maasai artisans.

What new products will be featured in 2023

We are working very hard behind the scenes to bring on more local community driven products and projects that are created specifically for the Elewana Collection brand. There will be specific products that are bespoke for a particular property and we are also working on collaborations with local artists. Stay tuned!

The RCAs celebrate the world’s top hotels, resorts, cities, countries, islands, spas, trains, airlines, airports, cruises, and more.

(NAIROBI, KENYA) Oct. 6, 2022 - Condé Nast Traveler announced the results of its annual Readers’ Choice Awards with Elewana Collection properties recognized with five prestigious awards including Kilindi Zanzibar at #36 in the “Best 50” overall global list of the Best Resorts in the World and #2 in Top 15 Resorts in East Africa, in addition to Lewa Safari Camp at #3 in Top 15 Resorts in East Africa; Tarangire Treetops at #9 in Top 15 Resorts in East Africa; and Elsa’s Kopje Meru at #10 in Top 15 Resorts in East Africa.

More than 240,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers submitted responses rating their travel experiences across the globe to provide a full snapshot of the top places they enjoyed this year and can’t wait to return to next. The Readers’ Choice Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry. The full list of winners can be found here.

 “We are very proud to be included in the Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards once again this year and very grateful to the readers who voted for our properties,” says Karim Wissanji, CEO & Founder, Elewana Collection. “These awards are testament to our incredible staff who aspire to deliver a memorable safari experience for each of our guests with personalized service and genuine hospitality.”

Each of Elewana Collection’s camps and lodges has its own individual look, style and feel. Each location allows guests to take maximum advantage of East Africa’s magnificent and varied environments and the astounding diversity of species for which East Africa is renowned. A range of exciting activities offered at each property have been designed to ensure that guests remain enthralled and engaged with each and every element of their safari.

Sprawling over the rolling plains north of Mt Kenya, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is a prolific wildlife conservancy of over 65,000 acres of private protected wilderness. Popular with conservationists, writers, photographers and even a few celebrities, it is home to the largest concentration of Grevy’s zebra in the world, diverse birdlife and hosts over 200 Black and White rhinos. Lewa Safari Camp offers authentic comfort for guests with large, tented bedrooms with verandahs and full en-suite bathrooms.

Centered about a Main Lodge - which itself encases a thousand year-old baobab tree - Tarangire Treetops is comprised of 20 rooms, all of which are elevated above the ground affording views over the tops of surrounding marula and baobab trees. Located southwest of Arusha and south of the large open grass plains of southern Maasailand, the property is named after the Tarangire River that flows through the Tarangire National Park. This vast area offers an array of game including some of the largest herds of elephant in Africa and over 550 bird species.

Elsa’s Kopje is a boutique lodge sculpted into the Mughwango Hill overlooking the rugged and remote Meru National Park. Celebrating 20 years this year, the property is built on the site where George and Joy Adamson built their camp and released Elsa the Lioness, star of the movie Born Free which was filmed in Meru 60 years ago. With 10 cottages and one private villa, visitors to Elsa’s enjoy all 870 square kilometers of Meru National Park to themselves including a thriving rhino sanctuary, large elephant herds, lion and birdlife and more diversity of animal species than any other park in East Africa.

With ELEWANA DISCOVERY, our rewards program, explore the newest escapes and get rewarded. Check into any of our 16 properties you’ve never experienced before and just for discovering something new, we’ll reward you with D$50 at the end of your stay. Register now and take advantage of this exclusive opportunity!

Elewana has partnered with the Born Free Foundation in offering a new itinerary for 2023 which features 3-night stays each at Tortilis Camp and Elsa’s Kopje – the birthplace of Elsa the lioness and the home to Joy and George Adamson, who adopted and raised the orphaned lioness cub and later released her into the wild. They wrote the bestselling novel, Born Free about the experience, that was turned into a hit 1966 movie of the same name starring actors and real-life couple, Bill Travers, and Virginia McKenna. Twenty years later, McKenna and Travers founded the Born Free Foundation to ensure the welfare of all animals worldwide and keep wildlife in the wild. Having achieved remarkable conservation results through its work with lions and rhino over the past 14 years, they’ve launched a new campaign 'Save Meru's Giants', focused on protecting elephants and reticulated giraffes.

The charity has also had a huge impact over the years in Amboseli. Over the years it has worked tirelessly to reduce conflict between predators and livestock owners by constructing ‘Predators-Proof Bomas’ to help protect sheep, goats, and cattle from attacks by lions and other predators in the night.

The Born Free itinerary includes a $500 per person donation on the main itinerary which features 3 nights at Tortilis Camp and then 3 nights at Elsa’s Kopje where guests will enjoy a visit to Kora National Park - the final resting place of George Adamson. Guests can also add 3-nights extension in the Masai Mara for the ultimate safari.

Rates start at $4,413 per person sharing (with supplement of $2,673 for the Masai Mara extension) and include meet & assist at KBO, airport transfers, scheduled domestic flights, AMREF Flying Doctors Membership, full board accommodation, beverages and house beer/wines/spirits, laundry, park and conservancy fees and safari activities including shared scheduled game drives, bush breakfasts, sundowners, and guided bush walks.

For more information, contact our reservations department at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 10% Circuit discount applied at Elewana Collection properties. T&Cs apply.

Loisaba has added e-biking activities to the wide array of activities which visitors can take advantage of to explore Loisaba Conservancy during their stay at Elewana’s properties, including Loisaba Tented Camp, Loisaba Star Beds and Loisaba Lodo Springs.

The Electric bikes will allow guests to experience wildlife and explore the Conservancy in a new and unique way. With the ease of an e-bike, visitors can venture out into the rugged terrain of Laikipia and feel the exhilaration of conquering the hilly landscape. E-bikes are as easy as riding a bicycle and guests will be escorted by Elewana’s guides and a ranger who will accompany them in wildlife viewing and take participants to some of Loisaba’s most scenic vantage points, making stops amongst points of interest and ensuring everyone stays on track. The routing and duration are tailor-made to requirements and a scrumptious bush breakfast or evening sundowner over the conservancy is often included. Cost is $80 per bike for half a day and the activity can be booked directly at the camp.

The stunning island location and ‘open-to-nature' approach of Kilindi already ensures guests will enjoy a serene holiday. Add to this their latest schedule of Mindbody practices and holistic therapies, elevating the property’s 'barefoot' appeal which so many crave. Release stress and nourish the body through a variety of classes and practices which include mindful stretch, partner yoga, gentle hatha yoga, sun salutation flow, and yin yoga. Explore your true wellness potential through holistic therapies which facilitate innate techniques to heal and balance one as a whole - mentally, emotionally, and physically, such as kinesiology, yoga nidra meditation, and sound therapy.

For bookings or further information, contact Tarnah +27 76 685 3758 (Whatsapp) or speak with your Kilindi ambassador upon arrival.

Elewana Afrochic Diani Beach will close on the 23rd October 2022 and remain close until December 2023 for an extensive renovation project. The boutique beach hotel on Diani's white sandy beach has announced an exciting renovation and refurbishment that will centre on enhancing the overall property experience through a significant investment in the property's design, its exterior and interior aesthetics, as well as the gardens and recreational areas. Once reopened, the new contemporary design of Afrochic Diani will promote the work of local African artists, designers, and artisans.

Receive up to 20% off net contract rates with Elewana’s Early Bird Bookings special offer. For reservations made with a minimum of 90 days prior to arrival, book a four plus night’s stay and receive 10% off, book seven plus nights and receive 15% off or book a 10 plus nights and receive 20% off. The special offer is applicable when combining one or more properties, excluding Arusha Coffee Lodge. All bookings must be guaranteed with a non-refundable payment for the entire stay upon booking confirmation and cannot be combined with any other special offer. The offer is subject to availability and blackout dates apply (1st July - 31st October and 20th December - 5th January). Valid for non-resident rates only until 31st December 2023.

Enjoy a 25% discount on Kilindi Zanzibar rates when booked with three or more nights at any Elewana property in the bush. Minimum stay at Kilindi is three nights. This offer is valid during high season and T&Cs apply and not valid for resident rates. For more information click here.

Land & Life Foundation has embarked on a global sustainability initiative to ensure all the brands included in the charitable organisation’s portfolio, including Elewana, SkySafari, Sopa, and Cheli & Peacock, are actively working towards making a positive impact on people and the planet. Whilst L&L, as the sustainability arm of all the brands, has always had a focus on leaving a gentle footprint, the foundation will now concentrate on creating baseline data to measure their carbon footprint in line with the international GHG Protocol standards to enable the group to take active measures in reducing their carbon footprint. They are building strategic partnerships to enable the group to become Carbon Neutral and look forward to sharing more insights on this journey in the near future.

In celebration of World Rhino Day on 22 September, we would like to honour our conservation partners including Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Loisaba Conservancy, and the Born Free Foundation’s efforts in Meru National Park for the incredible work that they do in protecting these highly threatened animals. This special day celebrates all five species of rhino and is a call to action to help save the animals, as their populations continue to decrease at an alarming rate around the world. It is estimated that a rhino is poached every 8 hours, and at this rate, rhino could become extinct in 15 years.

The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is one of Kenya’s leading areas for the conservation of this species and for the last three years not one rhino has been poached. Starting out with 15 black rhinos in 1984 as the Ngare Sergoi Rhino Sanctuary, Lewa's rhino population has since risen steadily, making the Conservancy the pioneer rhino conservation success story in Kenya and East Africa.

Loisaba’s mission is to protect and enhance critical wildlife diversity, abundance, and habitat in the landscape, which sits on the western edge of one of Kenya’s most important elephant movement corridors. The Conservancy is currently in the process of becoming a rhino sanctuary, working closely with KWS and The Nature Conservancy to protect the endangered species and their habitat, as well as create jobs in the local community.

Born Free works to protect rhinos in Meru National Park and globally on the ground to improve law enforcement in source, transit, and destination countries, reduce demand through consumer education, and persuade governments to take action to enforce trade bans.

We talk to Elsa’s Kopje’s General Manager, Grace Leonard about the property’s connection with Born Free and conservation history.

Please tell us the story behind the camp's name

Elsa’s Kopje was named after the orphaned lioness, Elsa, reared by Joy and George Adamson who eventually returned her to the wild in Meru in 1958. George and Joy lived near where Elsa’s is located in a camp they name 'Kampi ya Simba' (Camp of Lions). Legend has it that George and Joy would take hikes with Elsa the Lioness to Mughwongo Hill back in the 1950s. They would make it in time for sunrise thereafter they would take her back to camp. When you visit Elsa’s, you will see a display of photos of George and Joy Adamson taken at Mughwongo Hill. Elsa’s Story inspired Joy’s renowned book, “Born Free”, made famous by the Hollywood film that premiered in 1966.

How can guests immerse themselves in the Born Free history when staying at Elsa’s

The management and guides at Elsa's Kopje Meru always share the Born Free story. For guests that want to explore the history in detail, we can arrange visits to the following locations:

• Elsa's Grave: Elsa's is Buried here, and part of Joy Adamson ashes were spread here
• Pippa's Grave: Pippa the Cheetah is buried here, and the other part of Joy Adamson’s ashes are spread here
• Georges Pool: This was George Adamson's favourite sundowner spot
• Old Kampi ya Simba: This is situated 500 meters from Elsa's Kopje grave
• George Adamson Fig Tree: George used to take his lions here to drink water whilst he smoked his pipe and had his breakfast
• George Adamson Falls and Tana River Bridge
• George Adamson Grave in Kora National Park: He is buried next to his brother Terence, Boy the lion and Mugie
• Kampi ya Simba: George's Camp in Kora National Park

Are guests likely to see relatives of Elsa on safari in Meru

It is certainly rumoured that relatives of Elsa’s roam the plains of Meru National Park today.

Could you tell us about the ongoing relationship that Virginia McKenna has with Elsa’s Kopje

We are so delighted that Virginia McKenna has visited the property for years since she filmed Born Free. In the earlier years, she spent time here with her husband and fellow actor, Bill Travers, and most recently she returned to the property for the 60th anniversary of the film.

What is your favourite part of the Born Free history

Post 1960s, the Born Free story created a change in attitude towards animals and spurred a conservation movement, which was quite different from the old colonial style of keeping land aside for hunting. It started the parks and private concession where animals are kept aside and protected by us. There was also a change of attitude towards 'caging' the animals - case in point, the lions that were actors in the Born Free movie were supposed to be sold to zoos around the world so that the producers could recoup some of the production costs. For Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers, this was against the story of what the Born Free movement was all about, and they lobbied hard to have all the lions released into the wild. Eventually, the producers agreed to release the lions, Boy, Girl, and August, who were kept at Kampi ya Simba for rehabilitation.

Make sure that you are following the Elewana Collection on Instagram @elewanacollection to see a new selection of videos and images that capture the properties from a perspective never seen before. Amazing aerial footage, time lapses and stunning stills are regularly being posted. Please do share across your own social media channels to spread the word.

Book an enchanting wedding celebration at Kilindi Zanzibar with the property’s new wedding package. For couples looking to organize a destination wedding, Kilindi invites them to immerse themselves amidst the serene crystal-clear turquoise waters, soft white sand, lush greenery, and picturesque tropical island paradise to celebrate their special day. Set on 50 acres of secluded oasis, Kilindi is a unique and intimate venue for couples to say, “I do”, and our experienced and dedicated team will guide you every step of the way, from organizing the civil wedding ceremony, a dedicated wedding planner, ceremony décor, bridal bouquet, musical accompaniment and more.

Find out more about our wedding package for couples.

Guests staying at Kilindi Zanzibar can now enjoy a new interactive culinary experience led by Kilindi’s Chef Juan and his team. This exciting new cooking class teaches guests how to prepare delicious local dishes from the island of Zanzibar including culinary delights like Zanzibar Prawn Curry, Kachumbari Salad, Mishkaki – a delicious spice-infused meat dish, and Chapati. Guests will also learn to make Kilindi Spice Mix, the perfect blend for an exceptional Zanzibar curry. The interactive class involves cooking over an open fire against the calming backdrop of the beautiful Indian Ocean.

Elewana is pleased to have Annette Bulman as part of the team in her role as Regional Guest Services & Standards Manager. Born and raised in New Zealand, Annette has always had a passion for nature, adventure, and the great outdoors. Having worked at some of the finest wildlife camps and beach resorts in Africa, Annette has also lived in some of the most beautiful destinations from Lamu to Zanzibar and the Masai Mara to the Okavango Delta.

Her 30 plus year career in hospitality began when she left New Zealand at the age of 17, sailing to New York and then landing eventually in the UK, where she began her career with housekeeping services at a city hotel and then as a cocktail bartender. She then pursued a career in casinos in the UK, Sun City RSA, and Australia, working her way to management and training staff for the opening of Burswood Island Resort in Perth. Her journey back to Africa came after 7 years in Australia, when she awoke one day to a longing for the Continent and decided to act upon it. Please join us in giving her a warm welcome to the Elewana family.

Elsa’s Kopje is happy to now offer guests two new opportunities to explore Meru National Park, either by foot via walking safaris or just after dusk with a night game drive. Walking safaris offer an up close and personal opportunity to take in the wild, allowing guests to be guided on foot through the ancient earth, following animal tracks and droppings and learning more about the flora and fauna that call this incredible landscape home. Night game drives offer guests the rare opportunity to see the bush come alive after dark. Led by Elsa’s experienced and qualified guides, guests are immersed in the nocturnal wonders of wildlife, noting animal noises and sounds and catching glimpses of twinkling eyes. Night game drives also offer an opportunity to meet unusual and unique animals which only come out to play in the dark.

Book a bush & beach safari, including minimum three or more nights at any Elewana property in the bush, and receive a 25% discount at Kilindi Zanzibar – with minimum stay of three nights at the tropical island paradise. Offer is valid until 31st March 2023, including during high season, and only applicable when combining a beach and busy itinerary. T&Cs apply. Not valid for resident rates. For more information click here.

Kilindi Zanzibar invites honeymooners to enjoy a beautiful start to wedded bliss with a special offer of 25% off room rates, as well as romantic experiences throughout their stay including romantic candlelight dinner, in-room flower decor, romantic turn-down service, a bottle of sparkling wine, 20% off one spa treatment for two at Kilindi’s spa, and one traditional henna tattoo for the bride.

This special offer requires a minimum four night’s stay and is valid all year, excluding the festive season. Proof of forthcoming nuptials will be required on booking or wedding certificate no older than 6 months from wedding date. The Honeymoon Offer is not combinable with any other offer and applies to new bookings only for stays up to 20.12.2022.

Book 90 days or more in advance with Elewana’s Early Bird bookings special offer and receive up to 20% off net contract rates. Advanced reservations on a four plus night’s stay receive 10% off, seven plus nights bookings receive 15% off and 10 plus nights reservations receive 20% off. Elewana’s Early Bird offering is only applicable when combining one or more properties, excluding Arusha Coffee Lodge. All bookings must be guaranteed with a non-refundable payment for the entire stay upon booking confirmation and cannot be combined with any other special offer. The offer is subject to availability and blackout dates apply (1st July - 31st October and 20th December - 5th January). Valid for non-resident rates only until 31st December 2023.

Elewana is pleased to offer a 5% loyalty discount in honour of returning guests who book their next holiday with us. Loyalty guests can also enjoy 20% off any spa treatments where available across the Elewana Collection. Offer is valid until the 30th of June 2023 and T&Cs apply.

The Land & Life Foundation is delighted to welcome Shalini Tak as Sustainability Manager. The role will involve working across the spectrum for Land & Life but with a particular focus on overseeing the sustainability strategy and understanding how the group can reduce its carbon footprint.

Shalini is a devoted environmentalist with a deep passion for ecological protection, community safeguarding and the progress of tourism in Africa. Registered with the National Environment Management Authority of Kenya (NEMA) as a Lead Environmental Expert with a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Environmental Planning and Management from the University of Nairobi and a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) Degree in Hospitality Management from Les Roches Spain, Shalini brings a wealth of knowledge to the Foundation.

Having gained valuable experience in social and environmental management through previous employment in Spain, the UK and Kenya, Shalini has a keen appreciation of the hospitality industry combined with an unwavering environmental ethos which has given her a unique, valuable perspective into eco-tourism and sustainable development.

©plastikirafiki.com

Loisaba Conservancy has teamed up with Plastiki Rafiki to provide thousands of 100% recycled plastic Rhino Flashers. The Rhino Flashers will cover some 52 kilometres of new fencing which has been recently erected to help protect the rhinos that are being re-introduced to the area later this year. Not quite as visible as regular larger livestock fencing, this new boundary is designed to prevent movement of rhinos out of the sanctuary, whilst still ensuring the free movement of most other animals. The purpose of the rhino flashers is to add contrast and movement to the fencing around Loisaba to deter wildlife from running into it and causing damage.

The organisation has been busy already making over 9000 rhino flashers from over a ton of discarded plastic and 20kgs of Tetrapack collected from the environment.

For more information on Plastiki Rafiki click here.

Elsa’s Kopje was thrilled to be amongst hundreds of members of the local community in Meru National Park completing the Walk on the Wild Side 20,000 step challenge. The 600-strong group, including children from schools in the local area completed the steps which poignantly represent the number of lions remaining in the wild.

During the walk, the team were alerted to five elephants who were grazing close to the route, so carefully worked out an alternative path to ensure they were not disturbed – a perfect example of how people and wildlife can co-exist.

For more information on the day click here

We spoke with Bless Mamuya, one of Tarangire Treetops top guides, to learn more about how he became a guide and his tips on how to enjoy an exceptional and memorable safari experience.

How and why did you decide to become a guide?

After I completed my O levels, I went to college for three years to study tourism and wildlife management, which eventually led to me becoming a safari guide. Since I was young, it was my passion to become a guide. I was lucky as I was surrounded by people working in the tourism industry, so it was easier for me to make my dream a reality.

What make Tarangire Treetops so special

The beautiful treetop rooms which are built high around the baobab trees make this a very special place. We like to say it’s ‘living a dream high in the skies.’ We have a great team, and we really believe in teamwork. There are also fantastic activities to do around the area where Treetops is located including night game drives, walking safaris and a tour of a local Masai village. We also offer delicious and relaxing bush breakfasts and beautiful sundowners for guests.

What do you love most about living near Tarangire National Park

Living near the park is really nice because I have the chance to be close to wildlife. I learn a lot about the elephants, and I get to know their families very well.

What is your most memorable animal sighting

This happened when I was near the Mara River in Kenya during the great migration period. I saw a mother wildebeest manage to cross the river to the other side while the calf was not able to cross. The mother wildebeest crossed back again to pick her calf, but when they started to cross together, the mother was unfortunately caught by a crocodile. This was really sad and definitely my most memorable sighting.

What is your best tip for avoiding crowds on safari

Most of time I advise guests to travel during the shoulder or green season, as there are less people. Also, I advise them to do early morning game drives and evening game drives but in less crowded areas, so they have more freedom and intimacy with wildlife.

What is one of your favourite activities at Tarangire Treetops other than a game drive

The walking safari because you get the chance to see and learn about animal tracks, animal droppings and some little things which you cannot see, touch, or smell while you are driving. It’s also great exercise for the body.

Strong demand since launching the Zurich to Tanzania route in 2021/22 has resulted in Edelweiss recently announcing the doubling of its flights into Tanzania. The carrier will now fly twice a week from Zurich to Kilimanjaro International and on to Zanzibar. A spokesperson on behalf of the airline commented that the tourism product in Tanzania was a great match for their clients and this has helped feed the passenger number growth.

A huge congratulations to the teams across the Elewana properties as every single one is successful in the coveted TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards. This is truly a testament to their hard work and on-going commitment to ensure that all our guests are well taken care of and have the best safari or beach experience possible.

© tropicairkenya.com

If Loisaba wasn’t already enough of a life changing experience, there are now helicopter tours available that will add another epic aspect to this incredible region. There are five new excursions available from a one-hour scenic flight to overnight tours into the Rift Valley.

The one-hour excursion takes guests to the surrounding areas of Loisaba including a flight down the Ewaso river past Ol Malo and towards the Sasaab area. A pleasant low and slow flying experience through scenic valleys, past rock kopjes, with lots of wildlife to see along the river.

The two-hour scenic sundowner/picnic flight follows a similar but slightly longer route and incorporates landing in a spectacular spot for a bush breakfast, coffee break or sundowner. 

The Reteti Scenic and Orphanage visit is a low-level flight down the Ewaso river, and onto a scenic route around Warigus and Mathews range. There is plenty of wildlife to see along the way, as well as pristine forest (including extremely old cycads) along the ranges, and onto Reteti Elephant Sanctuary to feed the Orphaned elephants. 

The Suguta Valley Chopper Day trip takes guests across to the edge of the Rift Valley via magnificent sheer cliffs and waterfalls. Passengers will fly around an extremely high rocky outcrop called Naturuk with fantastic bird life living on the cliffs then down through the Painted Valley and the Hudu Valley for a bite to eat and a coffee. Onto the Southern end of Turkana for some awesome Crocodile sightings and then land up on the Nabiyotum Crater. From Turkana guests fly across to Lake Logipi to see the Flamingos, Golden Jackals, and land on the lakebed flats. They then fly low and slow up the Suguta to the sand dunes where the helicopter lands so passengers can enjoy the dunes and a swim if there has been some rain and water pooled up in parts of the dunes. The tour continues flying up the Suguta to the crystal-clear fish pools for a swim, lunch and the fish throw in a pedicure for free. After lunch they fly across to Silali (another soda lake) for some more Flamingo flying before nipping up the edge of the Rift, onto the Mbata Plains, and along the Karisia Range on the way home. It's one of the most spectacular days in parts of Kenya that most Kenyans and tourists have never been to before.

The Suguta plus one-night overnight is essentially the Suguta day split overnight. Instead of doing it all in one day, we fly the guests across to Turkana's South Island (completely exclusive), where there is a rustic camp set up. We spend the late afternoon heading out on the boat fishing for Nile Perch, Tiger Fish, and Tilapia. There are some very cool Crocodile sightings, and the day concludes with a sundowner. Due to the overnight in Turkana it gives guests more time to fly across different areas at a leisurely pace.

Suguta plus two-nights is similar again but with more time down in Turkana, guests can fly around various parts of the lake and other interesting places that you wouldn't do on the one-night or Suguta Day trip. As well as lots more fishing and fun activities.

Check out Elewana’s latest images, including photos of camps and lodges, activities and services and wildlife at this link. Feel free to download images and when sharing with others on digital and social, please make sure to reference us at Elewana Collection.

Elewana ensures planning a safari holiday is that much easier by providing downloadable PDFs of detailed site plans of each camp and lodge, along with a comprehensive vehicle guide.

The easy-to-view site plans, which offer a full layout of each property, can be downloaded here. Detailed vehicle guides can be found here and provide comprehensive information on roof typology, features such as charging dock and photography bean bags, as well as seat configuration.

We chat with Charl Grobler about all the activities that guests can choose from including new electric bike safaris and running tracks, cultural tours, and visits to spice farms just to name a few.

Most people think that safari is all about the game drives, can you give us an overview of other activities on offer.

It really comes down to the area and National Park or Conservancy. In East Africa, there has been a push to diversify activities even in National Parks where until fairly recently you were limited to game drives only. Things are changing and we are now able to offer a wider range of experiences.

For the larger conservation areas, Serengeti offers an array of alternative activities such as walking safaris, rhino tracking with the rangers in Moru Kopjes, Dorobo, and Maasai rock art. You are fairly limited in Masai Mara, but the game viewing is exceptional, and you don't really want to do anything else, but a Balloon Safaris is highly recommended and on most people's bucket list.

The conservancies in Kenya offer a wider range of activities and are probably better suited for longer stays or families that want to keep their kids entertained. Lewa Wildlife Conservancy offers, walking safaris, cultural visits, horse riding, Ngare Ndare forest visit, camel riding, and a behind the scenes - see how the conservancy is protected and meet the tracker dogs. Loisaba has similar experiences as well as mountain biking.

For a break from the beach, what activities would you recommend for the Elewana coastal properties

For Kilindi, I would definitely explore Stonetown, wander around the Old Fort, the Palace Museum, Darajani Market, Freddy Mercury House and get lost in the narrow streets, and admire the architecture. Outside of Town, visit one of the spice farms or the giant tortoises of Prison Island.

For golfers, Afrochic has an 18-hole golf course a few minutes away. For those that want a unique safari experience, visit Shimba Hills National Reserve and search for one of Kenya's last populations of Sable antelope. The reserve is scenic with open grassland and subtropical forests.

What is the most unusual activity on offer at the Elewana Camps

Some people are surprised to find we have a running track at Loisaba tented camp and at Lewa Safari Camp. We are introducing e-bikes in Loisaba and walking safaris at Serengeti Pioneer Camp in July. One of my favourites and certainly unique activities would be to spend a morning with the Hadzabe tribe. We leave The Manor at Ngorongoro after breakfast and drive along the Rift Valley to Lake Eyasi. The Hadzabe are one of the last true hunter-gatherers left in Africa, and if you get your season right, you can ask them to search for wild honey. The area has regular honeybees and stingless bees, fresh honey from a wild hive is an amazing experience.

What activities can guests participate in that will give back to local communities

When guests stay at Tarangire Treetops within the Randilen Wildlife Manage Area, a portion of your conservation fees goes straight back to the community. The land belongs to them, they have grazed their livestock there for generations, but they now benefit from conservation. During the dry season, they do still take their cattle into the area to graze, but this area is seen as a "grazing bank" only used when all other grazing has been exhausted. It's well managed, and livestock, people, and wildlife benefit from the same land.

Another great project would be the Maasai Boma near Tarangire Treetops. The boma supports Maasai grandmothers from the local community who live there. Our guests get a wonderful insight into Maasai life by visiting them, you can see how they do their beadwork or even try their local delicacy of cow blood mixed with milk.

What would be your must-do recommendations in Tanzania and Kenya

Tanzania - You will need great timing, but a morning Balloon Safari over the wildebeest migration and an afternoon watching the Wildebeest crossing over the Mara River is unbeatable, you could experience both from Serengeti Migration Camp.

Kenya - Searching for leopards in Loisaba. Loisaba has become a mecca for Leopard sightings, and if you are extremely lucky, you might get a glimpse of the melanistic Leopards found in this area of Laikipia. It takes early mornings and a keen eye, but if you are dedicated Loisaba will deliver a unique experience.

As the close for voting approaches, we kindly ask you to cast your vote for the 16 Elewana Collection properties which have been nominated for the prestigious Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards 2022. Your continued support over the years has been instrumental in ensuring our properties win year after year and we would very much appreciate your help again. Each vote counts and more than one property can be nominated. For US readers, participants will be entered to win a trip for two from Stockholm to Bergen with Viking, while UK readers can win a trip to South Africa.

Elewana Ambassador Pie Aerts’ wildlife photography print sale for conservation returns for a third consecutive year.

The past two years have raised an astonishing US$1.75 million for conservation making it the largest photographic print fundraiser for wildlife conservation in history. The campaign will start on the 28th August and run for four weeks.

For more information click here

Artisans at Shanga have been working hard these past few months and glass blowers are especially excited with the arrival of a new furnace for glass blowing. The furnace was donated to Shanga by the Milly glass group from Mombasa and replaced the previous furnace, which was old and worn-out after 10+ years. The Milly glass group was generous enough to buy the materials and sent a team to Shanga to help install the new furnace.

In addition to the beautiful, unique glassware which Shanga offers, jewellery artists have created gorgeous new handmade necklace designs which are now available for purchase at the local Shanga boutique, located on the grounds of Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge. The social enterprise employs local Tanzanians with disabilities who use their talents in glassblowing, weaving, sewing, Tinga Tinga painting, bead-making, and metal work to create incredible one-of-kind items. Profits from sales of the products are reinvested into developing opportunities to employ more people with disabilities.

The local shop is able to arrange online orders and international shipping of Shanga’s handmade products. To find out more about how to place an order, visit www.shanga.org or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

To honour our returning guests, Elewana now offers a 5% loyalty discount to guests booking their next holiday. To make the deal even sweeter and more relaxing, return guests can also enjoy 20% off any spa treatments where available across the Elewana Collection. This offer is valid until the 30th June 2023 and terms and conditions apply.

For more details click here.

Elewana invites guests to truly immerse themselves in the bush with impressive savings on longer stays. For reservations of four plus nights, guests receive a 10% discount, while a 15% discount is applied for those bookings of seven plus nights. For guests who want to truly save and immerse themselves in a complete Elewana safari holiday, book a ten plus nights booking and receive an extraordinary 20% off.

T&C’s apply and applicable when combining with one or more properties, excluding Arusha Coffee Lodge. Valid until the 31st October 2023 with blackout dates of 1st July to 31st October and 20th December to 5th January. For more information click here