Maasai living near Isoitok Camp in Manyara Region
embellish camp tourism with traditional dance. The Manyara -based
tourist bush camp has scooped the internationally recognized award for
being sensitive on environmental-related matters in its day-to-day
operations. (File photo)
The Tanzania’s tourist camp was announced recently in Madrid, Spain
at the 11th United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Ulysses
Awards for Innovation in Tourism—one of the three categories in the
annual UNWTO Awards for Excellence and Innovation in Tourism.
Managing director Chris Pilley described the win as an important
milestone that takes Tanzania’s tourism to the next level; and as a
collective with other property owners and tour operators following a
responsible approach in tourism will only aid the country in standing
out as an attractive destination to the worldwide market.
“The success of the awards has many benefits as it reaches out far
and wide both indirectly and directly for those who work in the field of
sustainable tourism. As to our story in responsible tourism, we have
been working closely with the Maasai community since 2007 achieving many
great goals together and this is what caught the eye of the global
tourism body (UNWTO),” said Pilley, who is an antique restorer,
furniture designer by profession.
He said his interest on sustainable tourism started a long time ago
when he was travelling the world discovering the great outdoors as a
backpacker, having the fortune to take in many wonderful and different
experiences. These ideas and ethics he brought with him to Tanzania back
in 2000 and has been running his own successful Safari Company and
Tented camp with sustainability and responsibility as a key player to
the business models.
Pilley said the camp which is located few kilometres from Lake
Manyara and Tarangire National Parks was created and designed as a
unique accommodation with the idea to allow foreign travellers an
insight to experience the true life and daily existence of the Maasai
people in a natural bush setting whilst soaking up “The Great Rift
Valley”.
At Istoik camp guests explore the area on game drives and bush walks with a knowledgeable, professional guide, he says.
They can observe wildlife within the area or even stand at one of
the viewpoints overlooking the Lake Manyara and The Great Rift Valley,
he adds.
Situated in Esilalei, home to the local Maasai, tribe guests are
taken on cultural visits to the Maasai village where they are able to
gain insight into the Maasai culture.
In between activities head into the bush and enjoy a bush lunch
while observing he beautiful views of the Lake Manyara and Rift Valley.
After a long adventurous day, they spend the evening in the bush while sipping on sundowners, watching the African sun set.
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