TANZANIA: Sakila Sunrise Lodge Arusha Will Be Operational In April

Jambo Tourism Observer,

I’m happy to know your publication. Hongera...it’s very impressive and I would be honored if Sakila Sunrise were featured.

We are a unique project in Tanzania. According to Responsible Tourism Tanzania, Sakila Sunrise is the first fully sustainable lodge developed here.

I thank my brilliant, young Spanish architect Jaime Espinosa for designing a lodge that recognizes the importance of sustainability, especially as we border the forest reserve of Mount Meru where maintaining the natural beauty of the environment is of upmost importance.

The gently sloping site overlooks the Rift Valley with 180 degree view as far as the eye can see, from the Tanzanite mines to the Usambara mountains to Arusha National Park and Kilimanjaro.

Behind us is majestic Meru.

Our objective has been to use locally sourced materials in construction, especially bamboo.

Jaime, a bamboo ambassador for the World Bamboo Organization, is passionate about the importance of bamboo in our eco conscious building practices.

Sakila Sunrise was designed to be an intimate lodge with guest capacity limited to 12 adults and 2 children.

However, we provide all the services of a luxury lodge.

When I fell in love with Tanzania in 2010, I knew I would do something interesting here.

Sakila Sunrise Lodge is the result of my passion for the country and its people; a chance to develop something unique, at the same time supporting the local community economically.

The site itself, which I purchased in 2012, dictated the project. Bordering the Mount Meru game reserve, with a 180 degree view over the Rift Valley as far as the eye can see including Mount Kilimanjaro.

Building ecologically and self-sustainably using environmentally friendly materials was the philosophy from day one, as well as providing our guests all the comforts of a small, luxury boutique lodge, at an affordable price.

Even a relatively “small” project is complicated, more so when building sustainably.

At Sakila Sunrise we harvest rain water that we collect and store.

The wetlands surrounding the swimming pool clean the grey water for use in our extensive gardens.

Solar panels provide all of our power for your hot showers, the laundry, and of course wifi and chargers and general electrical needs. All for a maximum guest capacity of 14.

During the next two months I will be posting updated photos before we open at the start of 2018!

The lodge consists of:

- 5 guest bungalows (sleeping 2 each)

- The Director’s Studio sleeping up to 4; perfect for families or longer stays and includes a utility kitchen.

- The Common Area provides full restaurant and bar service.

- The infinity dipping pool includes a large deck overlooking the valley.

- The outside lounge with relaxation around the open fire.

- A barbecue area.

- Large vegetable and fruit gardens.

- Support areas like laundry and sleeping facilities for your safari guides and drivers.

Located above Usa River, this particularly beautiful area is only 30 minutes from Kilimanjaro airport, and with the recently improved highway, only 15-20 minutes from Arusha.

The entrance to Arusha National Park and trailhead for Mount Meru climb are only minutes away, as is the Usa River market, and of course, you’ll want to fit into your schedule a walking safari in the adjacent forest and game reserve.

My staff and I welcome you warmly.

Our official grand opening will be at Kili Fair (June 1-3), but the lodge will be operational in April. Karibuni!

Please visit our website: sakilasunrise.com. I also post updated photos on my private Facebook page (Hjordis Fammestad).

Please don’t hesitate to contact me at +255752539937.

Sincerely,

Hjordis (Mama Sakila)
Sakila Sunrise Lodge
ARUSHA
TANZANIA

TANZANIA: flydubai To Commence Flights To Kilimanjaro From October 29th 2017

Dubai-based flydubai will start flights to Kilimanjaro from 29 October with six flights a week, three of which are via a stop in the capital, Dar es Salaam.

The relaunched service to the carrier’s third point in Tanzania, along with Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, will see flydubai’s network in Africa expand to 12 destinations.

Flydubai began operations to Tanzania in 2014. The carrier will also increase direct flights to Zanzibar from three to eight flights a week.

Commenting on the launch of flights, flydubai chief executive officer Ghaith Al Ghaith said in a statement: "With the addition of the service to Kilimanjaro and more direct flights to Zanzibar, flydubai will operate 14 flights a week, marking a 133% increase in capacity to the market compared to the previous year."

Kilimanjaro International Airport is located between the regions of Kilimanjaro and Arusha in Northern Tanzania.

The airport is the major gateway to the Kilimanjaro region, a main international tourism destination that includes Mount Kilimanjaro, Arusha National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Serengeti National Park.

Flydubai has seen a 3.5% increase in passengers numbers travelling between the UAE and Africa in 2016 compared to 2015, according to a company statement.

The airline has built up a wide network in Africa with flights to Addis Ababa, Alexandria, Asmara, Djibouti, Entebbe, Hargeisa, Juba, Khartoum, and Port Sudan, as well as Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar.

The 12 points will be served with more than 80 weekly flights for the summer period.

TANZANIA: Passenger Demand Attracts Increase In flydubai’s Frequency To Tanzania

flydubai has seen a 3.5% increase in passengers numbers travelling between the UAE and Africa in 2016 compared to 2015, a positive record for this emerging market.

Kilimanjaro becomes 3rd point in Tanzania and the 12th point on the flydubai African network
The new service increases the total number of flights to Tanzania to 14 flights a week
Direct flights to Zanzibar to more than double from 29 October 2017
Dubai-based flydubai announced the start of flights to Kilimanjaro from 29 October. The relaunched service to the carrier’s third point in Tanzania, along with Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, will see flydubai’s network in Africa expand to 12 destinations.

flydubai began operations to Tanzania in 2014 and has seen a steady growth in passenger numbers. Kilimanjaro will be served with six flights a week three of which are via a stop in the capital, Dar es Salaam. In addition, the carrier will increase direct flights to Zanzibar from three to eight flights a week.

Commenting on the launch of flights, Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer of flydubai, said: “With the addition of the service to Kilimanjaro and more direct flights to Zanzibar, flydubai will operate 14 flights a week, marking a 133% increase in capacity to the market compared to the previous year.

This is a healthy indication of the rising popularity of Tanzania as a preferred tourist destination and we are happy to be connecting the market to Dubai.”

Kilimanjaro International Airport is located between the regions of Kilimanjaro and Arusha in Northern Tanzania. The airport is the major gateway to the Kilimanjaro region, a main international tourism destination that includes Mount Kilimanjaro, Arusha National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park.

Only a few international carriers operate to Kilimanjaro and flydubai will be the first airline to provide direct air links from the UAE.

“We are committed to opening up underserved markets and flydubai’s service to Kilimanjaro will introduce more options for travel with a Business and Economy Class service, together with added cargo capacity available through our Cargo Division. We expect to see healthy flows of trade and tourism on this route from the GCC and Eastern Europe via our hub in Dubai,” said Sudhir Sreedharan, Senior Vice President Commercial (GCC, Subcontinent and Africa).

flydubai has seen a 3.5% increase in passengers numbers travelling between the UAE and Africa in 2016 compared to 2015, a positive record for this emerging market.

flydubai has built up a comprehensive network in Africa with flights to Addis Ababa, Alexandria, Asmara, Djibouti, Entebbe, Hargeisa, Juba, Khartoum and Port Sudan, as well as Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar. The 12 points will be served with more than 80 weekly flights for the summer period.

About flydubai:
flyDubai strives to remove barriers to travel and enhance connectivity between different cultures across its ever-expanding network. Since launching its operations in 2009, flydubai has:
• Created a network of 94 destinations in 44 countries.
• Operates a single fleet type of 58 Next-Generation Boeing 737-800 aircraft and will take delivery of more than 100 aircraft by the end of 2023.
• Opened up 63 new routes that did not previously have direct air links to Dubai or were not served by a UAE national carrier from Dubai.
In addition, flydubai’s agility and flexibility as a young airline has enhanced Dubai’s economic development, in line with the Government of Dubai’s vision, by creating trade and tourism flows in previously underserved markets.

TANZANIA: Tanzania Has Highest Population Of Wild Animals In Africa

The Northern Circuit is probably Africa’s most dramatic wildlife area. Game safaris never fail to satisfy with the thrill of the big game; they also offer diverse flora, panoramic landscapes and spectacular mountains; the game migrations across the plains defy description. The Serengeti is an ‘Immortal Eden’ where nature reigns - vast endless plains echo with thundering hooves of over two million migrating wildebeest.

Ngorongoro crater heralded as the ‘eighth wonder of the world’ is an awe-inspiring caldera; enclosed by sheer walls the crater is breathtaking; this Garden of Eden flourishes with flora and fauna. The Northern Circuit has other equally exceptional game sanctuaries such as Tarangire National Park, which during the dry season has teeming herds of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle passing through in search of water; and patiently the predators follow these grazers; Tarangire National Park also boasts many hundreds of bird species.

Lake Manyara National Park where tree-climbing lions sprawl on stout limbs of acacia. The lovely Arusha National Park nestling against Mount Meru; Lakes Natron and Eyasi are soda lakes that are as fascinating as they are remote and Olduvai Gorge known as the cradle of humankind; so come and let us take you on a safari of a lifetime in Northern Tanzania.

The Southern Circuit is off the beaten track. It is said that Tanzania even now has undiscovered nature secrets. This is not an exaggeration and the seldom-traveled southern circuit offers safaris that evoke the romance, enchantment and spiritual delight of the African bush. The Selous Game Reserve embraces 54,000 square kilometers of southwestern Tanzania; it is the largest protected wilderness reserve on the continent, three times larger than the Serengeti.
There is also Udzungwa Mountains National Park, which is a park without roads and is Tanzania’s first National Park created primarily to protect flora rather than fauna. Other parks in Southern Tanzania are Ruaha National Park, Mikumi National Park and the Southern Highlands close to Lake Nyasa ,Lake Malawi.

Chimpanzee trails at Lake Tanganyika along the almost inaccessible Lake Tanganyika – the world’s second deepest lake – lay two exceptional game parks which are home to troops of chimpanzee. Gombe Stream National Park and Mahale Mountain National Park provide a rare opportunity to observe and study behavior of one of the most interesting area the world has to offer.

Kilimanjaro “As far as you can see, as wide as the whole world and unbelievably white as the sun” This is Kilimanjaro through the eyes of Ernest Hemingway. At 5895m Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest point and the world’s highest freestanding mountain. Incredibly, the snow-capped peak is only a few hours away from a tropical coastline.

It is fascinating to experience this mountain as it raise majestically above the hazy African plains and trekking to the summit from equatorial Africa to artic conditions; passing through tropical rain forest, moorland, alpine desert onto snow and ice.
Routes for climbing Kilimanjaro are: - Marangu, Rongia, Machame, Mweka, Umbwe and Shira Plateau. Anyone above the age of 12 years, physically fit enough to walk 20 km per day may attempt to climb this mountain.

Zanzibar never fails to evoke the exotic, the magic of ancient times, from early explorers and missionaries, to slave traders and colonial rulers. All this is mirrored in Stone Town and its historical architecture and the rich ethnic mixture of its culture. In the towns’ narrow streets, every sight, every glance conjures up the romantic past. Beyond Stone Town clad in spice gardens are silver sandy beaches bejeweled by superb resorts. Zanzibar is a tropical paradise that dreams are made from; pristine beaches, unspoiled reefs, fantastic sport fishing and romantic dhow cruises make Zanzibar the ideal place to relax after your safari.

The scintillating coast crystal seas, sun bleached white sands give Tanzania’s cost a scintillating appearance. The palm fringed coastline look out over the warm turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Tranquil coral lagoons shelter underwater coral gardens, boasting some of the best diving in the world; Tanzania and Zanzibar welcome you to explore a diving paradise. Ancient ruins rest among whispering easuarinas and palms enticing you to explore.

Take time to discover the bustling city of Dar es Salaam: Bagamoyo an old slave port north of Dar es Salaam: Pangani famous for game fishing at the Pemba Channel and to the south is Kilwa with its fascinating medieval ruins and remote white beaches.