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The Changing Landscape Of Safaris In Tanzania
Safaris allow travelers to get close-up encounters with a variety of animals. getty
A safari in Tanzania offers a front-row seat to one of the most amazing wildlife encounters in the world. With a plethora of game—including lions, leopards, cheetahs, rhinos, giraffe and zebra—the country delivers a blend of adventure and jaw-dropping beauty. Every moment on safari here feels like a live-action documentary.
Elewana Collection, a brand of boutique lodges, camps and hotels, recently opened the Serengeti Explorer, the first lodge of the new Explorer by Elewana collection. Located in the western corridor of the Serengeti National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Serengeti Explorer is nestled high up on the Nyaboro Hills, with views that stretch for miles across the surrounding plains.
The hide is an ideal spot for photographers to get some action shots of animals drinking from the watering hole. Elewana
The property is home to the Serengeti's first ever on-site hide. The appeal of that is that people can view wildlife without travelling. Accessed through an underground tunnel from the lodge, the hide allows people to witness nature at play as animals visit the nearby watering hole throughout the day and night.
Serengeti Explorer Elewana
'We created sanctuaries in the wild that offer a host of contextual experiences, rather than your traditional safari experience,' says Alina Haq, Director of Marketing and Communications at Elewana. She explains that what makes Elewana unique is that each property is different. 'We don't have a cookie cutter approach, they're all in very specific locations for very unique reasons. Each property has its own personality and delivers its own set of unique experiences.'
When it comes to targeting a specific type of traveler, Haq notes that the idea with Explorer by Elewana collection is to be accessible to a broader audience. 'We've got the hide, we've got the photo studio, so it's a perfect place for photographers, but at the same time, the property works for multi-generational families, for first time safari goers, and for those who prefer a concrete structure, as opposed to a canvas one.'
The property is hoping to attract a range of photographers, both novice and seasoned, to the property due to its hide. 'If you want to learn about photography, you have the opportunity to do that—we have the equipment and lessons for people to really explore their talent.' The property will have an editing studio, travelers can rent out photo equipment, and the property also has photo lessons by in-house experts. 'I don't know of any other properties that are doing this,' says Haq. She notes that they are paving the way to something new in the safari space. 'I would definitely say it's one of a kind.'
While there's currently only one Explorer property, there are two more in the works. 'One of the reasons we created the Explorer brand is because we saw a gap in the safari market,' says Haq. 'There are budget properties and ultra high-end, but the market is missing the in-between.' Explorer serves to fill in that gap.
'What's interesting is safari, for many people, is one of those bucket list holidays,' says Haq. People intend to come just once, but there's something about being on safari that's more than just a holiday. For many, it's life changing so people end up coming over and over again. 'I think we're going to be seeing past Elewana guests coming through Explorer,' says Haq. At the same time Haq notes that Explorer is attracting a completely new audience as well. Other properties in the Elewana portfolio
Arusha Coffee Lodge Elewana
The name Elewana is Swahili for harmony and understanding and it's that brand ethos that resonates across their properties.
At Arusha Coffee Lodge, often a stop at either the beginning or end of a Tanzania safari, 30 plantation houses dot the on-site coffee fields. A luxurious and relaxing lodge, one of the the most popular areas of the property is the Shanga workshop.
Shanga Elewana
Shanga is the Swahili word for beads and the Shanga program is a social enterprise empowering people with disabilities. 'We have more than 60 employees and most of them have disabilities—including those with hearing, speech and physical challenges,' says Obadiah, a guide who gives daily tours of Shanga to tourists.
'We give them support, because a lot of people with disabilities have a hard time finding a job.' Obadiah explains that Shanga teaches employees different skills—like glass blowing, painting and beading. The art objects that are created are then sold in the Arusha Coffee Lodge gift shop and the money goes back to the enterprise.
'Shanga is a self-sustained project,' says Obadiah. 'We don't have government support.' The products made at Shanga are very eco-friendly. For example, they make shopping bags from recycled newspapers and dream catchers from recycled glass. The glass-blowing team collects bottles from businesses and schools. The furnace for melting the glass is powered by recycled engine oil.
Serengeti Pioneer Camp Elewana
For a tented camp experience, the Serengeti Pioneer Camp, located in south central Serengeti within the Moru Kopjes is an intimate safari experience with only twelve accommodations. Each tent has its own private en-suite facilities including a flush toilet, vanity basin, and shower. The tent interiors are designed to paying homage to the mobile camps of the 1930's.
Rhino tracking safaris are available. Elewana
'The location is what sets this property apart from other safari camps,' says Remsi Sungwa, General Manager at Serengeti Pioneer Camp. 'Not only are the views amazing, but you can't see any other camps.' Sungwa points out that since the camp is located in the Moru Rhino Conservations area, there's a good chance travelers will get to see these magnificent animals. 'Even people that are just relaxing at camp, enjoying a drink, they will look through the telescope and they might stumble upon a rhino walking around.' During the great migration people can see hundreds and hundreds of wildebeest.
Sungwa notes that on game drives in other parts of the Serengeti, you might see a bunch of vehicles around one animal sighting, like a lion. 'Here, around the Moru area, it pretty much feels like a private game area—with lots to see and few other vehicles around to share the experience.'
The landscape, a combination of kopjes and plains, also make for stellar sunrises and sunsets. 'You see the pink, the orange, the red, all the colors light up the sky, it's really an amazing experience,' says Sungwa. It's not uncommon to see lions, elephants, giraffes and other wildlife walking along the plains at dawn and dusk.
