Elewana Newsletter

Elewana is pleased to welcome Christo Potgieter to the team in his new role overseeing new build and refurbishments projects for Elewana and Sopa. Christo brings a wealth of knowledge to the role, having begun at the heart of high-end tourism with numerous operational roles. His extensive experience over the last 25 years includes conducting sustainable business in remote areas such as Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Republic of Congo, Zambia, Botswana, Rwanda & South Africa.

Potgieter’s career began as a guide in the bush, and then he transitioned to being camp manager, leading a mobile camp and privately guided safaris business in Botswana. Staying in Botswana, Christo later acted as COO of Okavango Wilderness Safaris, working with hundreds of staff to deliver unforgettable experiences to travellers.

It was during this time that Christo became involved in lodge infrastructural development and later moved to East Africa, where he was project manager for Segera Retreat in Laikipia. He was then involved in the development, creation and opening of Bisate Lodge and Magashi Camp in Rwanda.

Potgieter also worked with an architectural and development firm for 3 years to better understand the technical details and production that goes into the design of camps and lodges.

Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Christo as our new team member!

Guests at Arusha Coffee Lodge and Serengeti Pioneer Camp can enjoy new culinary offerings during their stay. A new African-inspired fine-dining tasting menu debuts at Arusha Coffee Lodge, where Executive Chef Thawat Löndt invites guests on a beautiful culinary journey working around local flavours. The evening experience begins with a gift from the kitchen, a daily special amuse-bouche (little bite) packed with big, interesting flavours. A selection of beautifully and elegantly plated smaller dishes follow, all incorporating unique Tanzania ingredients. The celebratory menu is a wonderful indulgence, offering an elevated and insightful dining experience for guests to enjoy either pre- or post-safari.

To celebrate the wildebeest migration season, Serengeti Pioneer Camp offers two new and exciting food concepts.

The new 'sunrise on the rock' menu has our Chefs pulling out all the stops for a one-of-a-kind, awe-inspiring breakfast dining experience. The morning extravaganza includes Eggs Mayai (a Tanzanian street food eaten countrywide), Bacon, Tomato & Cheese Bush Toasties, Honey, Mustard & Rosemary Sausages and Swahili Coconut Beans, all accompanied by a spectacular early morning sunrise and refreshing Mimosas to start the day off right.

Serengeti Pioneer Camp has also revamped new menus for lunch, along with the presentation for guests. Tasty and sustainably unique African dishes are presented by our Chefs to each table, allowing guests to enjoy the fresh flavours and visually appealing plates together.

Kilindi Zanzibar is offering a truly memorable start to married life with 25% off room rates, a 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.

Enjoy a 25% discount on Kilindi Zanzibar rates when booked with minimum three or more nights at any Elewana property in the bush. Minimum stay at Kilindi is three nights.

This offer is only applicable when combining a beach and bush itinerary and valid until 31st March 2023, including during high season and T&C’s apply. Not valid for resident rates. For more information click here.

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.

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.

AfroChic Diani Beach once again proudly supported the third annual Diani Sea Turtle Festival on Sunday, June 19, 2022, as a sponsor of this wonderful conservation event. Organized by the Conservation Education Society and held in celebration of World Sea Turtle Day, the event helps to spread awareness about sea turtles to the local community, including conservation challenges and how to help protect the beautiful sea creatures. The event is free and invites locals and visiting guests to enjoy a variety of fun and educational activities for all ages. This year over 300 students and 100s of tourists and residents participated. AfroChic Diani Beach sponsored the "Sea Turtle" egg & spoon races, a popular activity with the younger crowd.

Land & Life Foundation, the charitable organization whose efforts are supported by Elewana, has worked through the years to provide backing to local schools and clinics throughout the communities in which Elewana operates. Land & Life is committed to ensuring local communities receive revenue and tangible benefits from tourism and they work hand in hand to help address community issues by identifying development priorities and raising funds from travelling philanthropists to finance requests, whether for supplies, infrastructure, or training.

An example of this is the work that they have done within the community at Loisaba Conservancy. L&L’s efforts at schools in Loisaba have included class construction at Morijo school, along with the donation of 30 desks, installing piping from the borehole to the school tank, providing school lunches, donating stationery supplies in partnership with Pack for a Purpose and the creation of a scholarship programme which helps to support 4 scholars from the area. The Ewaso and Labarishereki schools in Loisaba have also benefited from donations of stationery supplies thanks to items brought by guests through the Pack for a Purpose programme.

Land & Life Foundation has also supplied some items to Loisaba’s Ewaso Clinic, in partnership with Pack for a Purpose, thanks to guests who have brought items to donate.

In her role as Charity Ambassador, Amaia successfully pioneered for Lewa Wildlife Conservancy to be nominated as an official charity partner. We spoke with Amaia about her successful bid for Lewa’s grant and the journey to securing it.

Hi Amaia, lovely to meet you, please can you tell us a little about yourself?

Hello! I am 10 years old, I live in London with my parents and my little brother. I study at a wonderful school called Garden House School. My favourite subject is maths and humanities, and I am currently loving learning to play cricket. My favourite colour is sage green and in my spare time I love doodling, drawing, and singing.

Please tell us a little about your passion for East Africa and conservation.

I am very lucky to have developed a strong connection and bond with Kenya, being my mother’s place of birth and where my grandparents and family live. It is very much home away from home as I have grown up visiting Kenya every year since I was four months old. My passion for the natural world and wildlife conservation comes from my love for animals and nature which I experienced for the first time when I was six years old on my first safari in the magical Masai Mara. This felt like a very special and incredible place, and a very different world to the one I live in London. Every year I would visit the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Sanctuary in Nairobi and would find the spirit of the elephants so strong and the kindness of their keepers so touching. I believe the people who fight every day to protect and nurture wildlife to be the real everyday superheroes and they inspire me. I am very much hoping one day soon I will be able to experience the Serengeti in Tanzania and see the Gorillas in Uganda.

I understand you are the Charity Ambassador for your school, congratulations! How long have you been part of the team and what do you hope to do with this platform?

I have been the Charity Ambassador for Garden House School for five months now. Every year our school chooses one charity to support and champion. There are many fundraising initiatives that happen through the year, and I really hope to get directly involved with promoting, organising, and coming up with new ideas to put forward at the School Council.

We understand Lewa Conservancy has been chosen as the charity project for your school to support this year, why did you propose Lewa?

It was very exciting when Lewa Wildlife Conservancy was shortlisted as one of the top 3 charities for consideration by the School Council. Lewa has my vote because it is a truly incredible charity which has found a way to protect animals through supporting and partnering with local communities. I am particularly inspired by the impact of zero poaching, providing education for the local children, and equipping the wildlife rangers with the best technology and tools to be able to do their amazing work.

How was Lewa selected as the final charity?

Three shortlisted charities made their presentations to the Garden House Students, then students from Junior to Upper School voted on their favourite charity. It was a tough competition for Lewa as the other two charities were also great with powerful purpose, but I will continue to spread my “Love for Lewa” to any open ear!

Can you share some of the fundraising ideas you have for Lewa?

One of many ideas I have is to set up a lemonade and karaoke stand at our annual Summer Fair. Where people could drink fresh lemonade and sing to their favourite songs. It would also be great to exhibit and showcase some iconic wildlife photography and paintings which could be sold to raise money.

With special offers currently available for honeymooners and couples, we ask the GM at Kilindi, Andre Joubert, about this stunning property’s offering for couples.

Why do you feel Kilindi is so perfect for couples

The property is designed and managed in a manner that allows couples to immerse themselves in the environment and each other, allowing to disconnect from the wider world and reconnect or celebrate with one another. Along with the beautiful and unique design of the villas, which boast their own plunge pools and dining areas, the location and proximity of the property from other resorts allows us to create private and intimate setups both on the beach, in the villas and around the main pavilion restaurant.

What activities can be arranged for honeymooning couples

In and around the property we can create private dining experiences in a romantic setting, offering a diverse a la carte menu and premium wines to pair. The spa has a wide variety of couples treatments, including one offering guests a body scrub, polish, and wrap, followed by relaxing in a "spa bath" with bubbles and fruit and ending with a relaxing full body massage. We'll soon be introducing holistic therapies to bring couples together through mindful movements.

Is there a particular room that is best for honeymooners

Because the rooms can be quite different in terms of positioning and views, it’s tricky to advise on this. Some of our "top tier" villas can be great for couples as they offer beautiful views of the ocean whilst being further removed from the others. These are villas 12, 14 & 15, however all our villas are completely private and spread out on the property to create complete intimacy.

What is the perfect spot around Kilindi for a private dinner

Guests can eat privately in their villa, absorbing the stunning views and beautiful surroundings or enjoy a seafood BBQ on the beach.

What would typically be served for romantic candlelight dinner

On the beach we serve a four-course seafood BBQ, with fresh locally caught prawns, red snapper, and lobster, all skilfully prepared by the chef in front of guests. We also have a five-course rotational menu, utilising the incredible abundance of local produce and spices which can be offered and are served in the villas or main restaurant.

Have there been many proposals take place at Kilindi

We have! The most recent one was in December. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't the best, so we set up a private dinner in our "Shisha" lounge which is above the restaurant and private from the other guests.

We set up candles and petals leading to the dinner as we knew that the gentleman was going to propose. We lead them up to the dinner and kept at a distance for him to drop a knee and ask. Thankfully, she said yes!

Can a wedding be hosted at Kilindi, and if so, what does that usually look like

Absolutely, we have a few booked later in the year. Most weddings and inquiries are for couples looking to do a private ceremony which will be done on our beach, and it will include the civil ceremony with Registrar, legalisation, altar with decor, flowers and bouquet and musicians (violinist & guitarist). There is also the option to "buy out" the property for an exclusive wedding party, with ceremony and reception.

What is Kilindi’s policy on children

We do not allow children under the age of 16 yrs.

Elewana is pleased to offer photographers configurable and fully equipped vehicles to support them in capturing the best shots during their safari. Charl Grobler, Guide & Head of Activities for Elewana, shares how the vehicles can be adapted for photographers and how guides are instrumental in making this happen.

• In terms of guiding, our guides are trained to assist photographers with the positioning of the vehicle. They are familiar with the wildlife movements and can assist the photographer to get the best possible shot.
• All camps have bean bags in the vehicle to assist photographers to steady their camera.
• Guides can remove seats within the vehicle to allow for additional space for photographers to move around.
• For keen photographers that book a vehicle for exclusive use, we can remove the two front seats and replace it with a mattress for photographers that want low-angle shots.
• We have extra padded bags, pillowcases, etc to assist photographers with camera storage.