Elewana Newsletter

Elevate your safari adventure with our tempting "Stay Four, Pay Three" offer, granting an extra complimentary night at chosen lodgings in Kenya and Tanzania. What's more, children under 12 stay free. Secure a combined minimum 4-night stay across any two of the following properties:

• Tanzania: Arusha Coffee Lodge, Serengeti Migration Camp, Tarangire Treetops, The Manor at Ngorongoro
• Kenya: Elephant Pepper Camp, Elsa’s Kopje Meru, Loisaba Star Beds, Loisaba Lodo Springs, Sand River Masai Mara

The booking must incorporate a mix of at least two properties from the above list to qualify. The booking window remains open until May 30th, 2024, for stays until May 31st, 2024, except during blackout dates from March 29th to April 1st, 2024. This offer applies to non-resident, new bookings only, subject to availability, and cannot be combined with other promotions. Reach out to us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for inquiries or to secure your booking. Terms and conditions apply.

With wedding season fast approaching, Elewana's exclusive honeymoon experience at Kilindi Zanzibar is the perfect way to begin your journey of a lifetime.Tucked away along the pristine Zanzibari coastline, Kilindi presents an enchanting backdrop for couples to commemorate their love.

Guests will receive 25% off a minimum 4-night’s stay along with a romantic candlelit dinner, flower decoration in the room upon arrival, romantic turndown service, bottle of sparkling wine, 20% discount per couple on their first Kilindi spa treatment and a traditional henna tattoo for the bride. This special offer requires a wedding certificate to be presented at time of booking (with max 6 months validity after wedding date) and excludes festive season. The offer is not combinable with any other offer and is valid for bookings and stays until 20th December 2024. Begin your dream escape by reaching out to us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Terms and conditions apply.

Guests staying at Elewana properties over Easter are in for a treat through a series of themed Easter menus drawing on seasonal produce with a nod to the festive celebrations.

Expect dishes such as Sweet Potato & Funny Bunny Couscous Patties with Sukuma Wiki Relish & Chickpea Tabbouleh at Elsa’s Kopje or the more traditional Easter dish of Slow Cooked Lamb with Crispy Potato Gnocchi at Loisaba Lodo Springs. Elephant Pepper Camp is offering a decadent Easter Egg Double Chocolate & Orange Croissant Pudding and the Loisaba Star Beds is adding some fun with Bunny Baskets and Chai Tea Ice-cream with toppings.

As always guests can indulge in the finest culinary delights crafted by our talented F&B team, featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients bursting with flavour. Many of the menus are tailored to specific requests, whether they be gluten-free, pescatarian, vegetarian, vegan, nut-free or lactose-free. Our chefs have drawn inspiration from the rich culinary heritage of East Africa, utilizing traditional flavours and bounty of ingredients from the properties local Shamba kitchen gardens to create mouth-watering dishes.

We are pleased to share the appointment of Emiliano Zulberti as Elewana’s new Group Chief Information Officer (CIO). A veteran C-level executive with over 20 years of expertise in distribution, yield management, and technology within the hospitality sector and a rich history of founding and leading ventures, Emiliano is excited to leverage his extensive experience and innovative vision to propel Elewana to new heights.

A native of Colombia born to Argentinian parents, Emiliano's upbringing was predominantly shaped by the vibrant landscapes of Nairobi, Kenya. From his formative years exploring the nature reserves and coastal regions of East Africa to his departure for higher education in Canada, Zulberti remained tethered to the captivating allure of the region. Now, after more than three decades since his graduation from the International School of Kenya (ISK), Emiliano returns to his roots, joining the esteemed leadership team. With a Canadian wife and daughter immersing themselves in the ISK community, Emiliano's journey comes full circle as he spearheads technological advancements in the safari tourism sector, aiming to enhance the guest experience.

Serengeti Explorer prides itself on offering not just a safari experience but a holistic journey that connects guests with nature on a deeper level. At the helm of this immersive experience is Yogi Mohit Tyagi, a seasoned Pranic Energy Healer and traditional Kundalini Yoga Practitioner with over 30 years of dedicated practice. With his extensive expertise and commitment to sharing the transformative power of yoga, Yogi Tyagi leads Serengeti Explorer's innovative yoga program, designed to harmonize body, mind, and spirit amidst the breath-taking surroundings of the Serengeti.

With a background in Pranic Energy Healing and traditional Kundalini Yoga practice spanning over three decades, Yogi Tyagi is dedicated to making yoga accessible to all. His teaching style focuses on clarity, understanding, and practical application, ensuring that every individual, regardless of their level or background, can benefit from yoga both on and off the mat. Yogi Tyagi's passion for sharing his wisdom and nurturing a deep connection with oneself and the world resonates through his teachings, inspiring guests to embrace yoga as a transformative tool for holistic well-being.

He shared more about what guests can expect from the program during their stay.

What inspired the creation of the new yoga program at Serengeti Explorer, and how does it align with the property's ethos?

Yoga has its roots dating back 5,000 years in India, where ancient yogis drew inspiration from observing the lifestyles of animals. At Serengeti Explorer, we recognised the unique ways animals relax and stretch, which inspired us to develop a yoga program that fosters a deeper connection with animals & nature. We believe that embracing yoga's principles, including the deep yogic practice of mindful breathing, promotes mental, physical, and spiritual well-being, mirroring the longevity we see in animals with slow breathing habits.

Can you provide an overview of the different yoga lessons offered at Serengeti Explorer, and how they cater to various skill levels and preferences?

Our yoga menu is suitable for all skill levels, whether you're a novice or an advanced practitioner. We offer a diverse range of styles including Classical Hatha Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Kriya Yoga, Nidra Yoga, Tantra Yoga, Yang & Yin Yoga, Pranayama, and Meditation. Guests can choose sessions tailored to their preferences and abilities.

How do the unique surroundings of the Serengeti enhance the yoga experience for guests, and what benefits can they expect from practicing yoga in such a serene environment?

Our body is made up of five basic elements: Water, Fire, Air, Earth, and Ether. Practicing yoga at Serengeti Explorer will offer the opportunity to connect with these five basic elements and help one deep dive into their yoga practice.

What sets Serengeti Explorer's yoga program apart from others, and how does it contribute to the overall guest experience at the property?

Our yoga program is built on the foundation of four pillars of wellness: Physical, Social, Emotional, and Spiritual. Tailored to complement the safari experience, our sunrise yoga sessions offer guests the chance to prepare their bodies for adventure, while our sunset practice allows them to unwind after a day of exploration, enhancing their overall stay at Serengeti Explorer.

For guests who may be new to yoga, how do you ensure a welcoming and inclusive environment, and what advice do you have for beginners looking to embark on their yoga journey at Serengeti Explorer?

At Serengeti Explorer, we strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all, especially newcomers to yoga. Our experienced yoga teachers, led by Yogi Mohit Tyagi, provide personalized guidance and support, ensuring that beginners feel comfortable and empowered to explore this transformative practice. We encourage beginners to approach their yoga journey with an open mind and embrace the opportunity to discover new dimensions of themselves amidst the awe-inspiring beauty of the Serengeti.

A stay at Elsa’s is a safari experience to remember. The iconic property is steeped in rich safari history and located on the site where George and Joy Adamson raised Elsa the lioness and Joy subsequently penned the novel Born Free. The film based upon the novel, staring Virginia McKenna has been credited with being one of the most influential conservation films of its time.

Elsa’s Kopje pays tribute to this pivotal time in safari history with an offering of elegant rooms, all uniquely decorated but unanimous with breath-taking vistas across the wild and rugged Meru National Park. With six safari cottages, three honeymoon suites, one family cottage and a private house, the property can cater to families and couples alike. Guests can explore the surrounding park via bush drives, bush walks or a night game drive. To relax there is a stunning infinity pool, a welcome cool spot from which to watch roaming animals below and a serene massage hut offering a selection of treatments infusing local techniques and products.

Due to Elsa’s being the only permanent property in Meru National Park, guests will enjoy the 215,000-acre National Park and rhino sanctuary pretty much to themselves. The area is well known for large elephant herds, lion and birdlife and more diversity of species than any other park in East Africa.

Many guests arriving at Elephant Pepper Camp are often unaware of the work behind the scenes to ensure a ‘farm to fork’ dining experience. Under the careful custody of gardener Simon Koech, the property is home to three organic gardens and 23 beehives.

Organic produce including a variety of lettuce, tomatoes, herbs, beetroot, aubergine, kale, spinach, edible nathasium flowers, chillies and lemongrass are all used in the kitchen to serve up fresh salads, local dishes and Indian specialities.
The abundance of honey from the beehives (often yielding 20 litres) harvested every six months not only supplies guests with a delicious addition to breakfast but is also creatively incorporated into salad dressings, sauces like teriyaki and vegetable dishes such as sticky cauliflower.

Gardener Simon was a farmer back home and then trained at Tortilis Camp in 2012 and benefited from additional bee keeping tuition brought in by the Elewana Collection in 2018. His passion for growing plants is infectious and guests are regularly amazed when they tour the gardens to see where many of the ingredients on the menus were grown.

In line with our commitment to wellbeing and harmony, we were delighted to be the headline sponsor of such a positive event which took place in early February at Salty’s Kitesurf Village on Kilifi’s stunning Bofa Beach. The four-day event comprised on wellness sessions, treatments and workshops all aimed to bring about positive health and mindfulness. For more information visit https://kilifiwellness.com/

©bornfree.org.uk

Born Free is introducing its tried and tested ‘predator-proof bomas’ following on from the success of the reinforced livestock enclosures that are used in the Pride of Amboseli programme to reduce human-carnivore conflict.

Since 2002 the African lion population is estimated to have declined by 36% in its historical ranges. In Kenya lion numbers are estimated to be 2,600, down from around 10,000 lions in the 1970’s and 80’s (although happily there are signs that the population is starting to increase again).

One of the threats to lions is retaliatory and pre-emptive killing of lions by pastoralists due to livestock predation. The boma programme is designed to safeguard the local community’s main source of livelihood, livestock, and in turn diffusing predator conflict and protecting lions. Since 2010 over 400 predator-proof bomas have been constructed in the Amboseli-West Kilimanjaro ecosystem with an estimated efficacy of 91% in reducing livestock predation at night.

For more on this story and the work of Born Free visit here.

Currently guiding at Elewana Serengeti Migration Camp but with experience across all Elewana’s Tanzania properties, Angela tells us about her journey into guiding.

Tell us a little about your pathway to becoming a guide with the Elewana Collection

I would say that it is not conventional, as I grew up in the west side of northern Tanzania where tourism is almost non-existent. It was only when I started travelling after education that I realised this was an industry I really wanted to work within. My first jobs were more office based so I could raise the money to train to become a mountain guide. I was really lucky to earn a place on the Elewana apprenticeship programme and that was what finally led me to my role of driver guide today.

How challenging was it to break into guiding as a female

It was hard but the opportunities are there if you have the ambition and drive to take them. I climbed Kilimanjaro over 15 times as a mountain guide. I remember one time in 2017 realising that I was the only non-tourist female on the entire mountain. This is now changing, and you are seeing more females as porters and guides.

What would your advice be to aspiring female guides

Be patient. The doors are there to be opened but it is a journey that might take time. Always be part of the team and take help where it is offered. The male guides that I work with are hugely supportive and we all depend on each other. They are always there to help and that is a source of strength to me.

Has there been an influential personality that has inspired you

There is a female guide called Viktoria who has worked in the guiding business in Tanzania for over 20 years. She started out with some of the most well-established safari operators and now runs her own business.

What does your average day look like

It starts really early at around 6am as some of the best sightings take place at dawn. I give guests the choice of a full day’s game drive where we will pack a picnic lunch and return to camp at around 4 to 5 pm or alternatively guests can have lunch back at the camp and a rest and enjoy a sundowner game drive later in the afternoon.

What do you enjoy most about your job

I really enjoy meeting new people and I simply love wildlife. I am privileged to be able to educate guests on the surrounding environment and every day is a new day. There is just so much to discover.