Tourist lodge set to earn Maasai villagers money

 

Some elders of a Maasai Community. The proceeds from the flagship of all Maasai lodge on Lekarka Hill at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro will be channeled back into Maasai communities in Arumeru. PHOTO | FILE. 

By Adams Ihucha Citizen Correspondent 

In Summary

• With its traditional elegant architecture and furnishings reminiscent of the early 1920s, the lodge accommodates only 32 guests and targets visitors who are after luxury coupled with some of the finest game viewing on the globe.

Arusha. Africa’s luxurious and exclusive lodge -- The Africa Amini Alama -- has just opened its doors near Arusha National Park with an eye to  stimulating money circulation in the Maasai community.

The non-profit-organisation has bankrolled and developed the flagship of all Maasai lodge on Lekarka Hill at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro with awe-inspiring views.

It costs a cool $280 per person per night at the $350,000 Maasai lodge, but with the proceeds being channelled back into Maasai communities at Ngabobo village in Ngarenanyuki Ward, Arumeru District.

“We have started marketing the lodge around the world and we hope it will turn around the lives of Maasai people,” said the Africa Amini Maasai Lodge manager, Mr Franko Gohse.

With its traditional elegant architecture and furnishings reminiscent of the early 1920s, the lodge accommodates only 32 guests and targets visitors who are after luxury coupled with some of the finest game viewing on the globe.

Apart from giving the country the potential for its first world-renowned lodge, the owner is also linked to an ambitious project to transform Ngabobo village, into an upcoming tourist hub for visitors to the Arusha National Park.

The stylish and eye-catching Maasai lodge stands out against the backdrop of 400 acres protected territory on the foot of Mount Meru, which was a gift to Africa Amini Alama by the villagers of Ngabobo to recognise the organisation’s charity work.

The Maasai people consider the lodge an essential part of their village and warmly  welcome tourists there.

Together with the Maasai community a conservation area was created around the lodge property to enable an undisturbed roaming of wild animals that a visitor will be lucky to enjoy seeing. “Whether you like to relax or to enjoy the silence and vastness of the Maasai steppe in one of our six comfortable and well-appointed bungalows, it is just one step out of your bed where Mt Kilimanjaro will greet you with her snowy smile,” said Mr Gohse.