*As seen in The Logbook.
You’ve got to go to Tanzania. If it isn’t on your bucket list, put it at the top. In fact, you might as well start planning your trip right away. While you’re at it make sure that you take full advantage of a company with all the local knowledge.
Elisomi Tours is fully owned by Tanzanian locals and incorporated. Offering world class tours across Tanzania and East Africa they work with international clients seeking that “African experience.”
We interviewed the founder Elisa about what the business stands for and offers to international travellers seeking to make lifelong memories.
“It took almost a year to build up the business,” Elisa explains, “A great deal of time to make sure that it was administratively, legally and logistically well established. As we cater for quite a number of foreign travellers from the likes of USA and the UK, I was adamant that everything had to be perfect to support them.”
Providing affordable tailored packages for their clients, Elisomi Tours specialise in identifying the key component that a client or group of clients, are looking for and piecing them together into a smoothly flowing well-orchestrated adventure holiday.
“This could include game safaris, mountain climbing, beach holidays, cultural tours and volunteering packages,” Elisa explains, “We also provide necessary services alongside such as airport transfers, city tours and car rent in Tanzania and East Africa.”
TANZANIA.
Tanzania is the best safari country in Africa. It borders Uganda and Kenya and is famous for its great open plains and abundant wild life. It is equally known for its cultural diversity with over 100 native languages being spoken in a country with a population of 56 million. It is probably best known for one of the dominating features of the African continent and the world at large. The unmissable, towering mountain Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa, and the world’s largest terrestrial mammal migration in the Serengeti national park.
Tanzania contains the largest proportion of the Africa’s great lakes including Lake Victoria which is Africa’s largest lake and Lake Tanganyika which is the continent’s deepest. It also boasts the Kalambo water falls in the south west region of Rukwa and the Zanzibar Archipelago which has been voted one of the most beautiful places in the world (and is one of the largest marine protected areas.)
It is as if all the colour, diversity and beauty in the world simply overflowed from Tanzania and spread across the globe.
“With such a wealth of activities and sites and options to see it all,” Elisa says, “We offer a solution to navigating these selections and providing the service that is right for the client and matches their unique, individual requirements.”
ELISOMI TOURS.
You’re only as good as the people you work with, Elisa points out and the team at Elisomi Tours is no different. They are all qualified tourism management professionals who have been working in the Tanzanian Tourism and conservation industries for many years.
“Our team have the experience to safely create bespoke adventures throughout our country which allow our guests to engage with the richness that Tanzania has to offer in nature, culture and history.” Elisa says.
Beyond the immediate team, they also have a comprehensive network of organisations that they have partnered with including hotels, resorts and restaurants all of which offer a unique experience. These partners are scrutinised to ensure that they offer an expected standard of reliability and professionalism and are on the same page with the “above average” customer service that Elisa insists upon.
Social and Environmental Responsibility.
Elisomi tours understands the importance of building an environmentally focussed culture and are doing everything possible to reduce their footprint. Elisa says, “We strongly advocate for a sustainable living through a number of ways. These include minimising the use of plastic bottles and ensuring our clients stay in lodges and camps that serve organic foods and adhere to pro-environmental behaviour.”
The aim is to improve the economy, social context and biodiversity of the country. With this in mind, the company also dedicates a part of its earnings to environmental conservation within the local community.
THE ADVENTURES.
“You don’t simply go on “holiday” in Tanzania,” Elisa explains, “You go on an adventure and we are very good at combining unique experiences and safety together to create a quality adventure.”
There are several options.
NGORONGORO.
Ngorongoro is a recognised conservation area which means that the whole area is managed for both animals and the local Masai people who graze their cattle there.
Here you will find the 8th wonder of the world the Ngorongoro Crater, which is the largest unbroken caldera in the world and hosts an abundant diversity of large mammals. The crater walls provide a natural sanctuary for the animals, which means there is plenty to see: lions, elephants, buffalo, rhino, and leopard among others. You have a chance to learn more about the Maasai, this fascinating volcanic landscape, and drive around the rim of the crater itself.
SERENGETI SAFARIS.
The Serengeti plains in the heart of Tanzania are one of the most popular safari destinations in the world. Open landscapes filled with natural flora and fauna in their natural environments. Tours are all vetted to make sure that not only do they offer the best experience in terms of wildlife interaction, but that it is done so in a safe and environmentally conscious manner.
WILDEBEEST MIGRATION SAFARI.
No doubt you’ve seen the wildebeest migration on the Serengeti plains. It is often used in television documentaries to demonstrate the impressive might of Africa and the terrific force of nature.
The great wildebeest migration is the largest, enduring wild animal migrations in the world and can include up to a staggering 1.5 million animals! Depending on when, the experiences of this epic herd migration can encapsulate the entire circle of life from calving season to stampedes across rivers and predator killing.
PHOTOGRAPHY SAFARI.
We live in a “sharing culture” and Elisa reveals that thanks to the prominence and the importance of social media sharing Photography Safaris are ever growing in popularity. Capture the right picture at the right time and you could be a social media hero. Or, if social status isn’t important, you can have a memory captured forever for your own pleasure.
These trips feature multiple opportunities for the perfect photograph. From budding enthusiasts to professional photographers.
BALLOON SAFARIS.
Seeing Tanzania from the floating balloon in the sky you get a completely different perspective of the sheer scale of this country and how much of it is dedicated to wild, open lands. The vast Serengeti below, inundated with animals and herds and predators all overlooked by the splendid rise of Mt. Kilimanjaro in the distance. Balloon Safaris has become a firm favourite for many travellers to Tanzania seeking a unique, sublime experience that they could call their own.
BEYOND SAFARIS.
Elisa scoffs at the idea that safaris would be all that Tanzania could offer. “This country is far, far too interesting to offer just one aspect.”
Perhaps a client wishes to climb a mountain?
THE MOUNTAINS.
“There are many towering mountains and impressive dormant volcanic peaks,” Elisa reveals, “Tanzania is a must visit destination for hiking and climbing but most hiking and mountain climbing enthusiasts already know that.”
This of course includes the imposing Mt. Kilimanjaro which is the tallest free standing mountain in the world and Africa’s highest peak. It stands out of the land with such a looming figure that it makes the surrounding land appear as flat as a table.
Countless travellers have dreamt of conquering this mountain which stands 5895 meters above sea level. Elisa reveals that there are always different motivations behind it, sometimes it’s just to see the magnificent views which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Others it’s for the personal satisfaction of doing something gruelling- because it’s not a leisurely climb. “It’s six to eight days hiking during the daytime and relaxing and recuperating in the evening with sore legs and stunning scenery.”
Elisa goes on to say that every precaution is taken for safety. As an example, they offer other hikes on different peaks such as the second highest mountain range in Tanzania, Mount Meru, as a means to acclimatise to the more challenging Kilimanjaro hike.
“These are by no means ‘lesser’ hikes,” Elisa says, “Mount Meru is a beautiful challenge but we also have multiple volcanic peaks including Oldonyo Lengai, Rungwe and Kitulo that are rewarding treks.”
What if you wanted something closer to the ocean?
BEACHES AND ZANZIBAR ISLAND.
Tanzania has approximately 1400 km (870miles) of coastline. There are a number of luxury beach hotels and resorts along this stretch that cater to guests of all types. “There is the main coastline to explore or one of the islands in the Zanzibar archipelago,” Elisa explains, “Tanzania has the best beaches in the world.”
And this is not bias. The island of Zanzibar is one of the country’s most visited tourist destinations and with good reason. The immense natural beauty of its scenic beaches has enticed many a holiday-maker. With soothing ocean breezes, sparkling soft sands, and deep, blue waters, Zanzibar is often described as a true paradise.
Tanzania is also home to many other exciting and interesting islands to explore. Mnemba Island, off the north coast of Zanzibar, is well-known for its beautiful coral reefs and splendid beaches. Another island, Chumbe, is Tanzania’s first marine park and boasts a 100 year-old lighthouse.
CITY TOURS.
And you cannot forget about the cities in Tanzania. Dar es Salaam and Arusha City are bustling cities filled with the sounds, sights, smells and tastes of Tanzania. The cities here are some of the oldest in Africa and offer busy markets filled with local goods, historic landmarks and iconic museums but also some of the most incredible zoos.
This is the chance to come face to face with some of the animals you wouldn’t want to see that close in the safaris such as the savannah predators. With zebra, giraffe, monkeys and a variety of reptiles in residence this is an engaging interaction much appreciated within the cities.
“It’s important to us that we’re able to share our country’s beauty,” Elisa explains, “We’ve dealt with many clients from all over the world and all of them have left with memories that they will keep forever. That is what makes it all worthwhile.”
