Elewana Newsletter

Safari is twice the fun with double the savings thanks to Elewana’s double discounts on circuit itineraries. For new bookings only, guests can enjoy 20% off bookings of 6-night safari and 30% off bookings of 9-night safari. Subject to availability, the offer allows guests to combine any of Elewana’s bush and beach properties excluding Arusha Coffee Lodge, and is valid for both game package and full board rates. The booking window is from 01 November 2022 – 31 January 2023 and valid for travel from 01 November 2022 – 30 June 2023, excluding the festive season. The double discounts are not combinable with any other special offers and not applicable to resident rates.

Kilindi’s Beach & Bush package includes 25% off accommodation with minimum 3 nights reservation at the luxurious beach resort, when combined with 3 nights at any Elewana bush property. Kilindi’s ‘open-to-nature’ approach offers an intimate escape to unwind and relax after an exciting safari. The special offer includes high season dates and is valid until 31st March 2023. Only applicable when combining a beach and bush itinerary and not applicable to resident rates. Terms & Conditions apply.

There are a selection of great offers across the Elewana Collection right now. For bookings that do not meet the double discount requirements, such as reservations of less than six nights and bookings made after June 2023, there are still great deals to be had. Guests can 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, guests who book a four plus night’s stay receive 10% off, seven plus nights 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.

The thread that runs through all countries and cultures is that festive celebrations bring together families and loved ones and present opportunities for making new friends.

A Christmas in Africa conjures up images of wide-open grasslands with endless views and evenings spent chatting around a roaring fire. Add to that a bit of splashing in a sparkling pool in the African sun while drinking refreshing cocktails.

The festive break falls towards the end of the shorter green season when the grasses are lush and the animals aplenty. Elewana guests can soak up the warmth of long, languid days, while exploring the beautiful wilderness areas surrounding the lodges and camps.

Food has always been a memorable part of the Elewana experience for our guests and in the run up to Christmas they can expect to savour specialities including the spicy, festive prickly pear cocktails or apple & ginger spritzers while watching the sun go down in all its brilliance.

As Christmas Day falls mid-summer in East Africa, the celebratory meals are appropriately light and fresh. Seasonal produce is complemented by fresh flavours and cooking techniques that echo the setting and style of each lodge.

It might be a surprise breakfast in the bush, or a family feast laid out in front of you just bursting with flavours and colours or maybe even a special curated Taste of Africa menu prepared for you under the African stars which showcases the best of our local produce.

At Elewana our festive cheer is undeniable, the warmth and welcoming nature of the East African people make our guests immediately feel like they have come home, and our lodges provide the space to create unforgettable memories.

Searching for the perfect gift for your loved ones this holiday season? Shanga, a social enterprise located on the grounds of Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge, offers unique and high-quality handmade gifts for any age. From beaded jewellery to handblown glassware to homeware incorporating recycled materials, the uplifting local community project employs local Tanzanians with disabilities to create incredible one-of-kind items.

For adults, choose from handmade beaded necklaces, handcrafted Dar tie necklaces, hand-blown wine and beer glasses, handwoven scarves, handwoven blankets, beaded cutlery, handcrafted table mats and napkin sets, handsewn pillowcases, recycled bottlecap picture frames and animal bottle stoppers/openers.

For children, there are handmade tunic dresses, glass-blown animals, and handcrafted stuffed elephants. Stocking stuffers include hand decorated animal pencils and handmade star, angel, and other Christmas ornaments.

Profits from sales of the products are reinvested into developing opportunities to employ more people with disabilities. The local shop can arrange online orders and international shipping of Shanga’s handmade products for holiday gifts. 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..

Elewana guides from Tortilis Camp initiated a fundraising drive earlier this month to pool together funds to purchase food supplies for local communities in Kenya which have been adversely affected by the recent drought. Joining the guides initiative, the Chefs team then decided to do a drive and Elewana and Land & Life Foundation joined forces by organising an internal fundraiser to support and match any funds raised.

Staff from Tortilis Camp and Elephant Pepper Camp have all agreed to have an amount between 500-1000 ksh taken off their salary for November. Currently, in the six days since it has been launched, the initiative has raised @150,000 ksh from staff which Elewana and Land & Life Foundation will match, along with the Pankaj Foundation. The Pankaj Foundation’s mission is to feed those in need; they pre-pack and send food to Elewana camps for distribution where it is most required. Recently, they delivered 500 food packages to Tortilis Camp, each weighing 24kg and including food supplies like maizemeal, beans, lentils, maize kernels, breakfast porridge, rice, salt, and cooking fat. Each parcel has a value of 2800 ksh. The Tortilis team has distributed 319 of the 500 bags and the rest will be distributed this month.

This year, we invite you to consider donating to one of our local conservation partners in lieu of a material gift. We work with a number of fantastic organisations throughout the different areas where Elewana camps are located, including our esteemed conservation partners Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and Loisaba Conservancy.

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy’s programmes focus on anti-poaching work to safeguard endangered wildlife and support communities, educational programmes which provide Kenya’s young generation with knowledge and skills to conserve wildlife and the environment, and enterprising economic development opportunities for women with the Women’s Micro-Enterprise (WME) programme. A donation to Lewa Wildlife Conservancy can be made here.

Loisaba is a 57,000 acre wildlife conservancy and working ranch located in Northern Laikipia, Kenya, East Africa, home to an abundance of wildlife throughout the year.

Loisaba Conservancy’s mission is to protect and enhance critical wildlife diversity, abundance and habitat in the Loisaba landscape while concurrently supporting sustainable livestock production and improving the lives of neighbouring communities. A hub for wildlife research, Loisaba is a world-class ecotourism destination offering unique opportunities for guests to be a part of the Loisaba story both during their visit and for years to come. Donations to Loisaba Conservancy and more information can be found here.

Hazel Gumpo, GM for Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge, talks to us about what guests can expect from the festive season. From Christmas tree lighting to gourmet African themed tasting menus, there will be plenty to celebrate as we approach 2023.

What special activities do you have planned for guests for the upcoming holidays?

At Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge, we are working hard to bring guests holiday cheer this festive season. The end of the year is traditionally when we take time to be with our families. And this year will not be any different as we invite families to spend a relaxing time with us under the stars in our beautiful gardens.

In the lead up to Christmas we will hold a Christmas Tree lighting ceremony on the 10th December. The evening will include children’s activities such as face painting, a candy cane hunt, arts and crafts and letter writing to Santa. Guests can enjoy some shopping from the holiday selection at Shanga. Food and Beverages will be served to all. The tree lighting will take place around 5 p.m

For Christmas Eve there will be pizza and burgers galore for families and interactive deserts including roasted marshmallows over the fire. Christmas carols by candlelight will take place between 6pm and 7pm and there will be gourmet African five course tasting menu.

Christmas Day will be welcomed in with a lavish Plantation breakfast. A garden lunch will include a live band and the arrival of Santa Claus plus kids’ programmes including a candy cane hunt and cupcake decorating. There will be a five-course continental dinner in the evening.

Celebrations around New Year will continue with a five course African themed tasting dinner on New Year’s Eve and a New Year’s Day family garden brunch, where family style harvest platters will be served with fire pit potjies and a whole spit BBQ lunch. Children’s programmes include face painting, a big 5 painting lesson and crafts together with cupcake decorating. A five-course tasting dinner will take place in the evening.

What are your favourite parts about the holiday season?

I love having an excuse to shop until I drop. Having committed to serving others for the past 30 years on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, which I absolutely enjoy, Christmas shopping is my yearly reward.

I love handmade home accessories and jewellery sold in Christmas markets. Arusha has some of the most creative artists in Africa, including our very own Shanga, where we will be promoting their Christmas accessories in support of all the beautiful work that they do. The markets also have incredible culinary offerings where people make amazing food for the soul.

How do locals in Arusha like to celebrate the holidays?

Arusha is a small community with people from all walks of life. Every year we meet to create Christmas memories, often with those who are far away from home. Those who are more adventurous join the local Tanzanians and visit families in the village for Nyama Choma parties. Nyama Choma is our typical local BBQ and in Tanzania, we especially like to make Nyama Mbuzi, roasted goat meat, as a special dish for the New Year.