2017 Summary

Elewana Collection has a dynamic year!

As we near the end of 2017, we look back on what has been an interesting and busy year in both Kenya and Tanzania and the incredible journey Elewana Collection has had so far.

Tanzania

Tanzania saw a change of leadership at the Ministry of Tourism with Dr. Hamisi A. Kigwangalla taking on the new role of Minister for Tourism. TANAPA Implemented new concession fees from 1st July 2017 followed by Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) on 1st December 2017

In spite of this development overall the country saw a productive year, Tanzania’s economic performance continues to rank among the highest in the region, with the real GDP growth rate consistently outpacing that of its peers in the East African Community (EAC).

Kenya

As 2017 started in Kenya, the country began its political campaigns for Presidential and County elections, set to take place in August and took place with little incident.

The surprise came when The Supreme Court ruled the first elections were nullified and the country would have to go to the polls for a second time. The main candidates quickly went back on the campaign road and the new elections took place on the 26th October with President Uhuru Kenyatta being elected and sworn into office on Tuesday 28th November.

Elewana Collection

The first quarter saw a slow start but quickly picked up and has been a busy year for both the Kenya and Tanzania Elewana properties. A number of improvements have taken place at Elewana Tortilis Camp, Elewana Loisaba Tented Camp and Elewana Elephant Pepper Camp and general refurbishment at Elewana Tarangire Treetops and Elewana Elsa’s Kopje. Elewana Collection recently announced the exciting news of adding Kifaru House on the Lewa / Borana Wildlife Conservancy to its growing portfolio, Previously, Kifaru House was only available for group bookings on an exclusive basis, however from 1st April 2018 visitors will be able to book rooms on an individual basis in line with the other Elewana properties.


Elewana Kifaru House on Lewa Wildlife Conservancy opens its doors to individual travellers as a new member of Elewana

The Elewana Collection announced the latest addition to its wide ranging portfolio - Elewana Kifaru House on the Lewa / Borana Wildlife Conservancy.

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With an unsurpassed footprint of properties across East Africa, the Elewana Collection now comprises of 16 award-winning luxurious camps, lodges and boutique beach hotels in Tanzania, Zanzibar and Kenya. Located in iconic wildlife destinations each has been carefully designed to provide an unrivalled variety of accommodation style, activities and guest experiences.


Brown & Moses in South Africa

Lenny "Brown" Lemaiyan our irrepressible Guide from Elewana Loisaba Tented Camp made his first continental visit - using his brand new Kenyan passport - to attend We Are Africa in May, where he was a nominee for the Africa Rising award. He may not have come away with the trophy- but he certainly made friends than anyone else - and was more photographed than the Table Mountain!

In September we wished Moses Mureithi from Elewana Elsa's Kopje, a very hearty congratulations  for being the top seller of premium wines., for which he won  a trip to Cape Town, sponsored by our wine suppliers - Under The Influence!

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Moses returned having had the most amazing time, and is now sharing what he experienced and learned with other team and staff members. It really was amazing exposure and a great opportunity for him!


Aitong Medical Camp

Early December Land & Life held their 6th Annual Free Aitong Medical Camp at Aitong Health Clinic in the Mara near to Elephant Pepper Camp. This year a new record was reached – the clinic saw and treated approximately 1200 people over the three days!

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Horse Safaris at Elewana Elephant Pepper Camp

Elewana Elephant Pepper Camp is now offering Horse Back Safaris!

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Come and experience horseback riding across the African plains, through a wide variety of wildlife.  The drive to Ride Kenya is approximately 30 – 45 minutes from Elewana Elephant Pepper Camp with a game drive on the way.


Elewana Lewa Safari Camp offers Bush Walks in the Conservancy

A great way to view the stunning diversity of Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is on foot. You will be accompanied by a Conservancy Ranger and a Guide, whose knowledge of local flora, fauna, cultural and history is unmatched.

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The bush walks can be done early mornings and can vary from two to three hours or late afternoon, for about one to one and a half hours and covering anywhere from two to seven kilometres, depending on how far the guests would like to venture.


Elewana Collection teams up with Healing Earth

Elewana Collection has teamed up with Healing Earth in order to enhance its offering to guests, not only in the products used but ensuring our therapists have the best training possible.

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Healing Earth is a premium African spa brand that offers natural, organic products, therapies and spa concepts to discerning clients around the world that include Abalone House & Spa in South Africa and Duniye Spa in the Maldives plus were Winner of the prestigious 2016 World Luxury Spa Award and this year were shortlisted for the accolade of Natural Product Line of the Year in the prestigious Asia Spa Awards 2017!


Elewana Collection: Fashion Forward.

Lady-Victoria-1The African savannah with its raw natural beauty, exotic wildlife and dramatic landscapes has long been a place of inspiration and wonder, drawing in travellers from far and wide.

At Elewana, we’re accustomed to accommodating guests from all walks of life and more recently we have seen a rise in travel writers, photographers and in particular, as we looked back on 2017, we noticed an upward trend in those guests, particularly tied to the fashion industry. It seems they too are taken with the magic of Elewana.

Early in July, Soraya a fashion blogger- @chicflavours-, visited Elewana Kilindi Zanzibar. Describing the stay at Kilindi as her “happy place”, Soraya was able to capture some breath taking images, that captured the barefoot luxury feel of Kilindi.

We then welcomed Brazilian celebrity and trend setter, Marina Mantega, on a SkySafari Tanzania journey as she experienced East Africa for the first time. Blown away by each of the stops and properties on her journey, Marina is certain her fans back home would love Tanzania and is an avid Elewana fan and ambassador. Taking the opportunity to model at each property, the Brazilian beauty got creative and used each of her stops as inspiration in her photo shoot.

 

Last but not least, we recently hosted French Elle, but to see the results of that dramatic shoot, you’ll have to wait till 2018, when the images are released!

Thank you all for your continued support

The end of any year is always a time of reflection as well as celebration. Elewana has enjoyed a bumper year on so many fronts that all our staff whether in camp or in the office are looking forward to the festive season with huge anticipation. We're also relishing the prospect of the new camps, plans, and initiatives that we have coming on line in 2018.

Heri ya Krismasi na mwaka mpya - Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

~James Haigh - Director of Sales & Marketing - Elewana