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Bill Gates Shares His First Ever Instagram Post While Traveling in Tanzania



<a href="Bill Gates (@thisisbillgates) • Instagram photos and videos" target="_blank">@thisisbillgates</a>/Instagram

And he already has 242,000 followers.

Stacey Leasca

August 15, 2017

As the world’s richest man, Bill Gates has more money than, well, anyone. And with just one Instagram photo, he already has more followers than most of us, too.

The Microsoft founder posted his first image on Instagram four days ago, and has since amassed more than 242,000 followers.

But the photograph is garnering attention for good reason, as it shows the billionaire sharing a meal with a few remarkable students in Tanzania.

“Hello from Tanzania, Instagram!,” Gates exclaimed in the caption of his first post. “I just had a great lunch with some amazing kids at Kicheba Primary School in Muheza and met Upendo Mwingira, a remarkable physician who has dedicated her career to fighting neglected tropical diseases.”

Gates went on to explain that he and his wife, Melinda, have traveled to Tanzania several times over the years and “always love seeing how much progress the country has made to improve health and provide opportunity."

"Plus," Gates added, "the scenery is stunning.”

Gates, who recently gave away $4.6 billion worth of shares in Microsoft, added that he wished others could come along for his journeys to “meet the people I get to meet."

"I have no doubt it would leave them as optimistic as I am about progress happening around the world. I’ll be sharing photos from my adventures here on Instagram, and I hope you’ll follow along.”

Hello from Tanzania, Instagram! I just had a great lunch with some amazing kids at Kicheba Primary School in Muheza and met Upendo Mwingira, a remarkable physician who has dedicated her career to fighting neglected tropical diseases. Melinda and I have been coming to Tanzania for many years now. I always love seeing how much progress the country has made to improve health and provide opportunity. Plus, the scenery is stunning. Whenever I travel to places like this, I wish others could come along and meet the people I get to meet. I have no doubt it would leave them as optimistic as I am about progress happening around the world. I’ll be sharing photos from my adventures here on Instagram, and I hope you’ll follow along.

A post shared by Bill Gates (@thisisbillgates) on Aug 11, 2017 at 9:58am PDT

And while vacationing just like Bill Gatesmay seem out of reach, traveling to Tanzania doesn’t have to be.

A trip to this African country promises to be ripe with adventure and excitement — and it can be done affordably. Travelers can visit one of the incredible game parks (like the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Tarangire) for a once-in-a-lifetime safari. Highlights include the massive Ngorongoro Crater, formed by an extinct volcano, and the wildlife. Lions, wildebeests, hippopotamuses, elephants, antelopes, zebras, and even endangered black rhinos can be spotted on a trip to Tanzania.

Like Gates, travelers will likely be able to dine with locals during a Tanzanian safari.

Of course, if you really want to vacation like a billionaire, you can book a stay at one of the finest safari lodges in the Africa. Consider andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge or a eucalyptus cottage at Gibb's Farm — one of the top-rated properties on the continent.


Bill Gates Shares His First Ever Instagram Post While Traveling in Tanzania

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Tanzania rates hotels in northern tourism circuit

Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-18 02:58:17|



ARUSHA, Tanzania, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian government has graded 230 hotel facilities in the country's northern tourism circuit, a senior official announced Thursday.

Gaudence Milanzi, Tanzania's permanent secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Natural Resources said the rating exercises involved hotel facilities located in northern regions of Arusha and Manyara.

Announcing the results, Milanzi said that out of those, 10 facilities scooped the five-star rating, 19 with 4-star rating, and 65 with a 3-star rating.

He added that 84 other facilities were given one and two-star ratings respectively, while 34 facilities were deemed unclassifiable.

The rated facilities, according to the official, included town hotels, vacation hotels, tented camps, lodges, and motels.

"The government is determined to cover the entire country in executing this exercise that also seeks to promote the country's tourism," he said.

Among the hotels that got the highest rating were the Arusha-based Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge and Mount Meru Hotel, which were both classified as five-star accommodation facilities.

According to the official, Tanzania now had 271 graded classified facilities.

Jumanne Maghembe, Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism described the classification of hotels in the country as a key tool in achieving value for money.

Apart from being a marketing tool, the minister said the process of rating hotels offers hoteliers benchmark for offering exemplary services.

"As you receive your ratings today, it is imperative to revisit your contribution to the tourism and hospitality sector," challenged the minister.

Leopold Kabendera, Tanzania's tourism expert disclosed that at least 2,000 criteria were looked into when rating the hotel facilities.

Hotel ratings are often used to classify hotels according to their quality.

Tanzania rates hotels in northern tourism circuit - Xinhua | English.news.cn

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Italian billionaire Briatore to sell Sh500 mn Malindi resort

FRIDAY, AUGUST 18, 2017 16:40

BY CHARLES LWANGA





Italian billionaire and ex-Formula One boss Flavio Briatore has said he is seeking a buyer for one of his exclusive luxury beach hotels in Malindi amid low tourist numbers.

Mr Briatore, through his hotel manager Philip Chai, said the move to sell the Lion in the Sun resort was occasioned by dwindling holidaymakers over the years which has negatively impacted Malindi's economy.

Speaking to journalists today, Mr Chai - who is also the Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers and Caterers North Coast branch chairman - said the exclusive resort is among six hotels that have remained closed in the county.

This is despite booming tourism in Watamu and Malindi resorts such as Kilili Baharini and Ocean beach among others following the end of the General Election.

“Tourism used to fare well in Malindi and its environs in the 1990s until the country experienced the 2007-2008 postelection violence and Al-Shabaab terror threats,” he said.

Mr Chai added that food stuff suppliers are also accruing losses since some stakeholders are unable to pay them due to bad business.

The Lion in the Sun, which first opened its doors in 2013, is located about 400 metres from Malindi Marine Park. It is opposite the Billionaire Beach Resort which is also owned by Mr Briatore.

READ: Billionaire’s Sh500m Malindi resort opens in August

Boasting a seasonal outdoor pool, spa centre and restaurant, it is famed for hosting international celebrities such as British supermodel Naomi Campbell and former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

According to the hotel's management, a night at the Lion in the Sun costs about €300 (about Sh36,336) depending on the season.

“Low bed occupancy and short term visitors are also the reason why most hotels in Malindi remained closed due to losses but in Watamu, Kilifi and Mtwapa the business is running,” added Mr Chai.

A section of the Sh500 million Lion in the Sun resort owned by Flavio Briatore. PHOTO | ROBERT NYAGAH | NMG

This isn't the first time the billionaire has threatened to pull his investments from the town's tourism industry.

Last year, he said he was mulling exiting Kenya's hospitality industry due to bad infrastructure, heaping garbage and political squabbles in Malindi.

READ: Protestors rally against Briatore's Billionaire Resort sea wall in Malindi

ALSO READ: Beach operators, Kilifi County feud over resort’s sea wall plan

Airport expansion

The delayed expansion of Malindi Airport, which is currently underway, was one of key issues singled out by the businessman as turning foreign investors away from the area.

However, the government is optimistic that the Sh5.6 billion expansion of the transport hub and tarmacking of the 110 kilometre Malindi-Sala road linking the town to Tsavo East National Park will revive tourism in the region.

Key CBK Indicative Exchange Rates used: €1 = Sh121.12

Italian billionaire to sell Malindi hotel as low tourism bites

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Poleni sana majirani Zanzibar, Tanga tunamkaribisha

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Beautiful Kenya
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Digging History

'Lost city' in Tanzania reveals secrets

Published August 22, 2017

Fox News

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Carol Lang, University of York, examines the terrace systems of Engaruka. (University of York)

Experts working on the 700-year-old abandoned site of Engaruka in Tanzania have revealed farming practices that could be useful in modern agriculture.

Researchers from the U.K.’s University of York found that sophisticated irrigation systems and terraces at Engaruka were built to capture eroded sediments that were used to feed the site’s arid landscape.

"We knew before starting our work that an irrigation system of this size required more water than is available in the area today, but what we have found is that the site used to flood, and that the inhabitants carefully manipulated these floods to grow crops and to accumulate vast quantities of sediments," explained Dr. Carol Lang of the University of York’s Department of Archaeology, in a statement.

'LOST CITY' DISCOVERY: KANSAS SITE SHEDS NEW LIGHT ON NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY

Once thought to be a ‘lost city’ of up to 40,000 inhabitants, Engaruka is now recognized as the remains of the largest abandoned system of irrigated agricultural fields and terraces in sub-Saharan Africa.

However, researchers note that the 7.7-square-mile site was mysteriously abandoned about 200 years ago. Some experts believe that this may have been the result of climate change or deforestation, which reduced water supply to the fields.

The latest research is part of the Archaeology of Agricultural Resilience in Eastern Africa (AAREA)project.

GLADIATOR GAMES: EXPERTS HARNESS TECH TO REVEAL ROMAN CITY’S SECRETS

Researchers used archaeological excavation, geochemical analysis and soil micromorphology, which measures the components in soil. Their study, which was published in the journal Quartenary Research, challenges the assumption that soil erosion is always a bad thing.

“The inhabitants of ancient Engaruka were clearly highly skilled landscape engineers and agricultural managers, and there are lessons to be learnt here that can be applied to modern farming,” explained Dr. Daryl Stump, the project’s principal investigator, in the statement. “Since recognising these sediment traps at Engaruka, our team has found very similar structures at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Konso in Ethiopia, where farmers report that sediment traps are more economically important than hillside terraces.”

Trending in Science

'Lost city' in Tanzania reveals secrets

'Lost city' in Tanzania reveals secrets

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After Kilwa then comes this...

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TTB - Sino-Dar Flights Would Propel Tourism

Tagged:Asia, Australia, and AfricaEast AfricaExternal RelationsTanzaniaTravel

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Photo: Daily News

Tourists in Tanzania.

By Daily News Reporter

Arusha — THE Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) has underscored the need for direct flights from Tanzania to China, to attract more Chinese tourists and reduce the costs emanating from connecting flights.

TTB's Board Chairman, Retired Judge Thomas Mihayo, said here yesterday that the rising number of tourists from China would largely depend on reliable and affordable air links between the two countries.

"It is now evident that there is a good number of tourists coming from China. Something must be done to revitalise trade links and strategic attractions of tourists from China," Judge Mihayo explained, stressing Tanzania's endowment with abundant tourist attractions.

He said tourism was potentially one of the country's leading economic drivers, which, if tapped fully, would contribute significantly to national economic growth and development.

Speaking shortly after winding up a tour of Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Manyara National Park by senior Chinese journalists, Judge Mihayo said the pace of tourists coming from China was encouraging. "The visit by these journalists is yet another opportunity for us to promote our tourist attractions.

I hope you are going to be our good ambassadors to your country and beyond," he said, recalling that the two countries share a long-time historical friendship.

He also called on local councils and investors to build hotels in areas in which tourist attractions are located, and join hands in solving infrastructurerelated problems.

Earlier, the TTB Managing Director, Ms Devota Mdachi, said the journalists' visit was part of the board's efforts to promote tourist attractions and enhance the flow of tourists to the country.

"They (journalists) have been highly impressed by our tourist attractions and promised to be good ambassadors when they return home," the TTB boss said.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Mr Kang Bing, from Daily Media Group, said Tanzania had everything regarding tourism.

"We visited several places, including Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Manyara National Park where we saw a variety of fascinating birds," Mr Bing explained. He promised that they would be good ambassadors of Tanzania's unique tourist attractions through their reportage in print and electronic media outlets.

"The challenge we experienced is that there should be direct flights from Tanzania to China.

Many Chinese have shown interest to come to this beautiful country," Mr Bing said.

The journalists were from Beijing Press Group, China Daily, International Liaison Department, English news service, and China Radio International.


Tanzania: Direct Flights To China 'Would Attract Tourists'

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TTB - Sino-Dar Flights Would Propel Tourism

Tagged:Asia, Australia, and AfricaEast AfricaExternal RelationsTanzaniaTravel

Tweet

Share

Google+

Photo: Daily News

Tourists in Tanzania.

By Daily News Reporter

Arusha — THE Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) has underscored the need for direct flights from Tanzania to China, to attract more Chinese tourists and reduce the costs emanating from connecting flights.

TTB's Board Chairman, Retired Judge Thomas Mihayo, said here yesterday that the rising number of tourists from China would largely depend on reliable and affordable air links between the two countries.

"It is now evident that there is a good number of tourists coming from China. Something must be done to revitalise trade links and strategic attractions of tourists from China," Judge Mihayo explained, stressing Tanzania's endowment with abundant tourist attractions.

He said tourism was potentially one of the country's leading economic drivers, which, if tapped fully, would contribute significantly to national economic growth and development.

Speaking shortly after winding up a tour of Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Manyara National Park by senior Chinese journalists, Judge Mihayo said the pace of tourists coming from China was encouraging. "The visit by these journalists is yet another opportunity for us to promote our tourist attractions.

I hope you are going to be our good ambassadors to your country and beyond," he said, recalling that the two countries share a long-time historical friendship.

He also called on local councils and investors to build hotels in areas in which tourist attractions are located, and join hands in solving infrastructurerelated problems.

Earlier, the TTB Managing Director, Ms Devota Mdachi, said the journalists' visit was part of the board's efforts to promote tourist attractions and enhance the flow of tourists to the country.

"They (journalists) have been highly impressed by our tourist attractions and promised to be good ambassadors when they return home," the TTB boss said.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Mr Kang Bing, from Daily Media Group, said Tanzania had everything regarding tourism.

"We visited several places, including Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Manyara National Park where we saw a variety of fascinating birds," Mr Bing explained. He promised that they would be good ambassadors of Tanzania's unique tourist attractions through their reportage in print and electronic media outlets.

"The challenge we experienced is that there should be direct flights from Tanzania to China.

Many Chinese have shown interest to come to this beautiful country," Mr Bing said.

The journalists were from Beijing Press Group, China Daily, International Liaison Department, English news service, and China Radio International.


Tanzania: Direct Flights To China 'Would Attract Tourists'

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Travel Guide: Five must-visit tourist destinations in Tanzania

BY IJEOMA ONYEMAECHI



LEAVE A COMMENT



AUGUST 22, 2017



Advertisement

Besides being home to the world-famous Kilimanjaro, Tanzania is one of Africa’s most popular safari destinations.

Should you desire proper relaxation, adventure or safari, take a trip to Tanzania and be sure to visit these five places.

Mount Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro is the world’s highest mountain and a pride of Africa.

The mountain has been the subject of many scientific studies because of its shrinking glaciers and disappearing ice fields.

Kilimanjaro is approximately 16,732 feet (5,100 meters), making it the tallest free-standing mountain in the world.

75,000 people climb the mountain every year, but not many make it to the summit.

Zanzibar Island

Located 15 miles off the coast of Tanzania, Zanzibar is one of the Indian Ocean islands.

The breathtaking island is home to turquoise-blue water, whitewashed coral rag houses, white sandy beaches, and shallow sandbars.

Visitors can also get to explore the world heritage site of Stone Town, a historic trade center with Swahili and Islamic influences.

Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park is best known for its annual wildlife migration of wildebeest and zebra.

It is among the famous parks in Africa. It is Tanzania’s oldest park and a Unesco world heritage site.

Asides the wildlife, other attractions of Serengeti include endless plains and hot air balloon safaris.

Selous Game Reserve

The Selous Game Reserve, located in the southern part of Tanzania, is the largest game reserve in Africa and the second largest conservation area on the continent.

It is said to be four times bigger than the Serengeti.

Some of its attractions are hot volcanic springs, sporadic lakes and channels, large herds of elephants, over 350 species of birds and reptiles, and 2000 plants species.

The reserve also has a vast range of game which include brindled gnu, Nyasaland gnu, sable antelope, eland, greater kudu, waterbuck, hartebeest, zebras, giraffe, reedbuck, warthog, spotted hyena, lion, leopard, hunting dog, and buffalos.

Pemba Island

Also known as ‘The Green Island’, the Pemba Island is part of Tanzania’s Zanzibar Archipelago.

It’s known for its lush, green hills and clove plantations.

The Pemba Channel, with its coral reefs and abundant marine life, separates the island from mainland Tanzania.

Pemba Island is the ideal getaway destination.



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Travel Guide: Five must-visit tourist destinations in Tanzania

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Zanzibar gives Kenyan hotels run for their cash
Tuesday August 23 2016

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Kasha Boutique Hotel, Zanzibar. Hotels at the Kenyan Coast are increasingly losing to Zanzibar international visitors who arrive by charter flights. PHOTO| FILE| NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary
  • Somak Travel General Manager Paul Kurgat, said the majority of the international tourists flown to Mombasa by charter airlines are on transit to Zanzibar.
  • To address the challenge, Mr Kurgat said Kenya should continue to convince leading tour operators and agents in overseas markets that the country is safe.
  • Other factors believed to have given Zanzibar an edge is that the island has modern hotels while standards in most facilities at the Coast have degenerated due to lack of renovations. Some were built almost a half a century ago.
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By MATHIAS RINGA, mringa@ke.nationmedia.com
Hotels at the Kenyan Coast are increasingly losing to Zanzibar international visitors who arrive by charter flights.

Following terrorism attacks which hit the country in 2014, a large number of tourists chose the Tanzanian archipelago and have since been making return visits giving Diani, Malindi and Watamu a wide berth.

Likewise, during the Likoni clashes in 1997, some hotel owners in the region relocated their investments to Zanzibar and in its wake repeat guests also shifted their holidays to the island.

Other factors believed to have given Zanzibar an edge is that the island has modern hotels while standards in most facilities at the Coast have degenerated due to lack of renovations. Some were built almost a half a century ago.

Although it is currently high tourist season, most hotels across the region have a low number of international guests at below 10 per cent compared to numbers of between 20 and 50 per cent in the peak period of 2011.

Somak Travel General Manager Paul Kurgat, said the majority of the international tourists flown to Mombasa by charter airlines are on transit to Zanzibar.

“One of the factors which have contributed to low number of international tourists at the Coast is that the charter airlines leave behind a few passengers in Mombasa while many are taken to Zanzibar,” he said.

As a result, he said many hotels at the Coast have a low number of international guests.

Currently, charter flights from Europe to Mombasa are eight a week compared with 40 in the same period during the peak period of 2011.

Charter airlines operating flights to Mombasa are German’s Condor, Small Planet from Poland as well as Meridiana Fly and Neosair from Italy.

When Condor reintroduced flights from Munich to Mombasa in June, the inauguration flight had 240 passengers, out of whom only 90 remained in Mombasa while the rest were on transit to Zanzibar.

READ: Coast pins its hopes on Gulf Airlines to boost tourism

Due to terrorism, Condor crew who used to stay in Mombasa over the years relocated to Zanzibar.

They, however, switched their stay back to Mombasa last year after the UK and the US authorities lifted travel advisories against Mombasa and other coastal towns.

In an interview with Smart Company, Mr Kurgat said many tourists, who arrive at the Moi International Airport, Mombasa, by charter flights head to Zanzibar for leisure.

Not affected

He said Nairobi and upcountry tourist hotspots were not affected as many international airlines operate scheduled flights to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

To address the challenge, Mr Kurgat said Kenya should continue to convince leading tour operators and agents in overseas markets that the country is safe.

Severin Sea Lodge resident manager James Owiti conceded that the bulk of the tourists who arrive at the local airport by charter flights are making a stopover to the neighbouring country.

“We have occupancy of 65 per cent, but foreign guests are only five per cent owing to the large number of charter passengers being flown to Zanzibar,” he said.

On the other hand, Kenya Association of Hotelkeeper and Caterers (KAHC) Coast executive officer Sam Ikwaye attributed the shift of tourists to some investors who relocated from Diani, Malindi and Watamu to Tanzania.

“During the Likoni clashes in 1997 there are some investors who left South Coast for Zanzibar and as a result the guests, who used to come here, also relocated there,” he said.

Another factor that makes Zanzibar comparatively more attractive is its new hotels.

“Zanzibar has gained popularity since most of the hotels there are new while here we have some hotels which were built many years ago and are in dire need of upgrading,” said Mr Ikwaye.

However, the KAHC official defended hotel-owners, saying many are unable to refurbish their facilities due to poor business over the past several years.
“Investors in the hotel industry have been operating at a loss for the past three years owing to an international tourist drought,” he said.

Mr Ikwaye called on the Tourism Finance Corporation to offer more affordable loans to investors for them to revamp their facilities.

Zanzibar gives Kenyan hotels run for their cash
 
Uhuru and Margret enjoying as the Supreme Court cases continue
Kenya is beautiful, it makes forget everything
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Specual attractions
Wildebeest Migration is the world largest and longest anmal migration.
Elephant found in Ngorongoro crater is the world largest overland creature.
Ostrich found in Serengeti, the world largest bird
Hippo found in Selous, the world creature with bigest and largest mouth.
Giraffe is the worl tallest animal.
Cheetah fouñd in most Tanzania NPs is the fastest land animal can run up to 70 miles /hour

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New Singita Lodge breaks ground – as reported by Charlotte Beauvoisin / Diary of a Muzungu
Posted September 6, 2017 by Aviation, Travel and Conservation News - DAILY from Eastern Africa and the Indian Ocean islands in Uncategorized. Leave a Comment

DIARY OF A MUZUNGU SHARES SOME INSIGHTS FROM A RECENT VISIT TO RWANDA

(Posted 06th September 2017)


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If the ‘golden’ shovel used to break ground is a harbinger of things to come, financially speaking for the lodge, only time will tell but for now is construction underway of the new Singita Kwitonda Lodge, as Charlotte Beauvoisin, Publisher of Diary of a Muzungu www.muzungubloguganda.com reports:

31st August 2017 marked the occasion of the ground-breaking for Singita’s first property in Rwanda and their “first and only gorilla lodge.”

At the ceremony below the towering Mount Sabinyo, Graham Ledger Managing Director of Singita Grumeti Tanzania gave a eulogy to the famous mountain gorilla Kwitonda who died almost five years ago.

“Kwitonda means ‘to be humble.’ That powerful yet humble one has been an inspiration to us and it is in that magnificent creature’s memory that we are proud to announce today that this lodge will be known as Singita Kwitonda.

Singita was established 24 years ago in South Africa and set the standard for luxury safari travel in Africa against a philosophy of preserving and protecting the land and wildlife and well-being of local communities

Over recent years we have expanded our interests to the rest of Africa and proudly adopted our 100 year purpose to preserve and protect iconic areas of African wilderness for future generations.

None of this that we are witnessing today would be possible without the unwavering support of the philanthropist and conservationist Paul Tudor Jones.

One of the jewels in the crown is the Grumeti Reserves, located in the western corridor of the Serengeti ecosystem. At the turn-of-the-century, uncontrolled poaching had decimated wildlife populations, in turn leaving the surrounding communities poverty-stricken. Paul Jones’ commitment to – and significant investment in – the project since 2002 has resulted in a vast increase in animal populations with the natural carrying capacity and ecological balance of the area fully restored and the plains once again teeming with resident wildlife. Other highlights include the creation of over 800 jobs and reintroduction of Black Rhino to the Serengeti National Park. We want to replicate that (success) in Rwanda.”

Ledger reminded the invited audience of conservationists, tourism stakeholders, security representatives, district officials and media of Singita’s “deep commitment to conservation, sustainability, skills development and community uplift” as evidenced in their “12 lodges dotted across Africa.” Singita Kwitonda will join their three properties in South Africa, two in Zimbabwe and seven in Tanzania.

Singita Kwitonda Lodge will comprise eight guest suites and one family unit, with a total of 14 beds.

According to Derek Nkera, the construction project manager, who spoke to the media at Kinigi on 31st August, a new access road to the lodge is planned. This is one aspect of Singita’s corporate social responsibility, in partnership with the Rwanda government. The organisation is in the process of recruiting a community liaison officer.

Chief Operating Officer of RDB, Emmanuel Hategeka stated:

“I want to thank Singita for choosing Rwanda as their next destination. We want to thank you and assure you of our continued support.

Hategeka took this opportunity to explain some of the reasoning behind the country’s decision to promote themselves as a high-end destination.

“Singita joins other brands in high-end hospitality who are investing, including Wilderness Safaris Lodge (Bisate Lodge) open since June 2017 and other high-end companies who are already doing good business in the area.

This area hosts around 100 hotels, of which 40% are high-end and that is probably the size of the market here because we issue close to 100 permits for gorilla tracking every day. That is the size of the market but that is not the entire size of the high-end hospitality.

He went on to say that the new Bisate Lodge, for example, is fully booked until October 2017. Bisate’s advertised rack rates are $1400 per night.

Hategeka reminded the audience of the role of tourism in Rwanda’s economy.

“Tourism is our number one foreign exchange earner. Over the last six years tourism revenue has doubled from US$200 million in 2010 to $404 million in 2016. Rwanda is a country that is taking conservation to another level.”

Singita Kwitonda is due to open August 2019. 100 direct job opportunities are envisioned during construction and 70 lodge management and support staff will be recruited to run the lodge, according to Graham Ledger.

New Singita Lodge breaks ground – as reported by Charlotte Beauvoisin / Diary of a Muzungu
 
Largest Luxury Resort in Africa Will Open in 2020

Courtesy of Zanzibar Amber Resort
A massive new resort in Zanzibar will have five hotels, its own airport, and an underwater nightclub.

Talia Avakian

June 29, 2017


A new vacation playground is coming to Africa.

Spanning some 3,756 acres across Zanzibar, the Zanzibar Amber Resort is a “luxury tropical community” that will host East Africa’s first Signature golf course and deep water marina, its own airport, an aqua park, luxury villas for sale, and five international hotels and over water lodges for guests.




Courtesy of Zanzibar Amber Resort



Thanks to its immense size, Zanzibar Amber will be the largest luxury property in Africa, and will be the very first to offer non-residents the opportunity to buy vacation homes.

In the video below, the managing director for the new space explains the future goals for the property:




While the full design elements and pricing are still being planned for the property, the space will also include an underwater restaurant and nightclub, a souk where guests can spend their time shopping, a fully equipped equestrian center and international polo club, and a facility for super yachts.

When it comes to residential opportunities, there will be some 1,914 luxury villas that range from three to five bedrooms, and some 3,440 luxury and penthouse apartments that range from one to four bedrooms to choose from.





Courtesy of Zanzibar Amber Resort
 
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