Jumeirah, a worldwide chief in luxurious hospitality and a member of Dubai Holding, unveils a novel partnership with the Thanda Group, a refined assortment of privately owned hospitality experiences, for the introduction of two new iconic locations: Jumeirah Thanda Island in Tanzania, and Jumeirah Thanda Safari in South Africa.
Located within the protected Shungimbili Island Marine Reserve in Tanzania, Jumeirah Thanda Island contains an immersive, exclusive-use villa, whereas Jumeirah Thanda Safari lives in one among South Africa’s most luxurious personal safari locations that includes branded residences, and an unique member’s membership.
These additions to Jumeirah’s portfolio mark the worldwide hospitality chief’s entry into Africa and illustrates its continued evolution by way of the supply of locations curated to encourage, enhanced by partnerships deeply aligned with Jumeirah’s innate strategy of connecting folks and tradition, by way of distinctive and significant experiences. The title “Thanda” itself – which means ‘love’ in Zulu – encapsulates the core values of those distinct locations that already showcase deep rooted connections with native communities and the atmosphere.
This primary of its variety personal island and safari providing for Jumeirah is infused with the essence of Tanzania’s historic ties to Arabian Hospitality courting again to historic occasions; when seafarers on commerce routes had been acquired with beneficiant hearth welcomes to alternate the information and tales which have helped form the tradition of the Center East area immediately. The safari – which means ‘journey’ in Swahili – carries on into South Africa, to one among Africa’s oldest proclaimed sport reserves, as soon as the traditional searching grounds of the Zulu kings.
Thomas Meier, Chief Working Officer and Interim Chief Govt Officer at Jumeirah, feedback: “As we glance to the longer term, our intent for Jumeirah is obvious. We wish to develop sustainably into new locations and diversify our portfolio with a concentrate on properties that provide a definite proposition and ship enriching visitor experiences rooted in tradition and connection.
Jumeirah Thanda Island and Jumeirah Thanda Safari epitomise this technique. Not solely do these distinctive properties mark our first entry into Africa – a market which continues to point out robust progress within the luxurious journey sector – however they signify a brand new type of expertise for Jumeirah with every part from whole exclusivity to the chance to expertise the surprise of nature at its most interesting.
With a concentrate on native tradition and conservation, the values of Thanda very a lot align with our personal, and we’re immensely proud to proceed the nice work finished to protect and shield these inspiring locations for generations to return. We stay up for welcoming our first friends later this 12 months.”
Pierre Delvaux, founding Chief Govt Officer at Thanda Group provides: “When our house owners Christin and Dan Olofsson of Malmo, Sweden, and I first launched into this journey in 2002, we envisioned partnering at some point with a pioneering world operator whose imaginative and prescient aligned with our personal ethos and values, notably regarding philanthropy and nature conservation. Now, on the twentieth anniversary of opening our first lodge, we’re thrilled to embark on the following chapter of our journey. It’s a true privilege to accomplice with Jumeirah, and all the Thanda crew is full of pleasure and optimism for what the longer term holds. Our collective mission with Jumeirah stays to create magic for our friends and members, whereas elevating our providing and visitor experiences to new heights.”
Jumeirah Thanda Island
Jumeirah Thanda Island is an uninhabited, 5-hectare tropical island within the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Situated inside the protected Shungimbili Island Marine Reserve, the personal retreat is accessible through a brief helicopter trip from Dar es Salaam or by speedboat from close by Mafia Island, itself additionally accessed by a quick flight from Dar es Salaam.
Personifying seaside home romance and barefoot luxurious, the exclusive-use island options a rare villa with 5 suites and two conventional Swahili Bandas offering friends direct entry to the ocean. The island’s personal chef and devoted culinary crew will ship distinctive eating experiences utilizing regionally sourced elements in probably the most idyllic and intimate of settings alongside the pristine seaside.
Embracing the pure rhythms of island life, friends will expertise unmatched journey with their very own devoted boatman guiding every day journeys. From swimming with Whale Sharks to diving with turtles, crusing on conventional Arab Dhows to close by Chole Island or having fun with hen walks alongside the island’s white-sand trails, the checklist is limitless.
Jumeirah Thanda Island will even proceed its consideration on ocean stewardship initiatives together with coral reef restoration and a programme to guard endangered sea turtles – mirroring long-standing marine conservation initiatives Jumeirah has in place at each Jumeirah Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Al Naseem in Dubai, in addition to Jumeirah Olhahali Island, Maldives. Jumeirah will even champion Thanda’s Star for Life group programme, an NGO dedicated to upskilling, empowering, and educating younger folks in South Africa and on Mafia Island in Tanzania.
Jumeirah Thanda Safari
Nestled within the wealthy wildlife space of South Africa’s northern KwaZulu Natal (KZN) province, Jumeirah Thanda Safari presents an enriching expertise in one among Africa’s most unique Massive 5 nature reserves.
The sport reserve spans huge, rolling hills of untouched wilderness, dotted with quite a lot of luxurious lodging choices together with Jumeirah Residences on the Royal Thanda Membership, Africa’s most unique life-style membership. Whether or not in search of journey or solitude, friends on the Jumeirah Residences take pleasure in privileged personal entry to 386 hectares of safe, access-controlled wilderness, together with a devoted concierge service to cater to each want and need.
Jumeirah Residences will welcome friends from December 2024, with extra purpose-built branded residences accessible to buy off plan from this date. There are additional plans to introduce a brand new lodge and an ultra-luxury tented camp by 2027.
Devoted groups of wildlife guides will lead friends on adventures throughout 16,500-hectares of the personal reserve’s plains, valleys and mountains to immerse guests within the wonders of African wilderness. Actions could embody sport drives and bush walks, eating beneath the celebs, sundowners with panoramic views, and a junior ranger course for youthful friends whereas bespoke cultural programmes will proceed to embrace Zulu tradition and help the socio-empowerment of native Zulu communities.
As a part of the established CSR initiatives of the Thanda Basis Belief, and Jumeirah’s dedication to being a very good neighbour with aware consideration to the locations it calls residence, Jumeirah Thanda Safari will proceed to be engaged in a number of crucial conservation programmes. This contains the flagship Undertaking Rhino KZN, an intensive anti-poaching and conservation collaboration between authorities, NGO, and personal entities in KwaZulu Natal and the WWF Black Rhino Vary Growth Undertaking, which seems to be to extend the inhabitants of this critically endangered species within the wild. As well as, Thanda’s flagship CSR challenge Star for Life, will stay central to our dedication to investing in the way forward for younger folks.
Jumeirah Thanda Island and Jumeirah Thanda Safari will open for bookings from December 2024.