Asilia Lodges and Camps Celebrated for Responsible Tourism Practices

Famous for its travel equipment that operates 15 luxurious camps and inns in the country, the tourism operating company has been honored by the RTTZ for its compliance and responsible tourism practices.

The company of Arusha excelled in four different categories. to be the best in female employment and gender support through the Dunia camp at Serengeti, emerging the best in youth empowerment and supporting future conservation leaders (Sayari Camp at Serengeti) , winning the Most Matemwe Lodge Award in Zanzibar) and declared the Best in Climate Action 2018 (camps and camps of Asilia).

Described as an all-female camp, Dunia Camp is located on a large wildebeest migration corridor in Central Serengeti, providing easy access to the picturesque Moru Kopjes and the great sightings of big cats, leopards and rhinos that roam the forests on the edge of the Seronera River.

"By hiring more women than men, the company broke down and challenged gender barriers in a male dominated field."

Sayari Camp in Asilia, located in the northern plains of Serengeti, won the prize for the best program of youth empowerment and support to future conservation leaders through its innovative program Twende Porini.

The annual program welcomes children from local communities in Asilia camps and introduces them to tourism and conservation. To date, the program has reached 240 children across the country; Sayari at Serengeti, Rubondo National Park and Ruaha National Park.

The company was honored for achieving the greatest number of sustainable development goals 2018.

Perched in an outcrop overlooking a shallow lagoon lined with coral, Matemwe Lodge in Zanzibar has employees, procurement practices, waste management practices and many others are aligned with the SDGs.

The company has so far registered a compensation of 5.632.4 tonnes of carbon dioxide in partnership with Carbon Tanzania, a feat that earned it a prize as Best in Climate Action.

Naftal Ole Kirimbai, joint venture founder and director said: We are extremely proud to be recognized by Tanzania Responsible Tourism as one of the best responsible tourism companies in the country. Our approach to the region includes good examples of how, through responsible tourism, we can ensure that areas thrive, benefiting local communities and nature. As a caring employer, we provide livelihoods and opportunities for our employees and their dependents.

"We hope that other companies will follow suit."

Supported by SECO Swiss United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), RTTZ awards aim to encourage, develop and promote the sustainable tourism industry in the country recognizing the bright stars of responsible tourism in Tanzania.