ZARA’S IKOMA WILD CAMP IN SERENGETI RECEIVES 2015 GLOBAL CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE FROM TRIPADVISOR

The Director of Zara Tours & Zara Properties is Proud to announce that the Ikoma wild cam in Serengeti, Tanzania received a certificate of excellence from TripAdvisor recently. This prestigious award is given to businesses worldwide that consistently earn high ratings from TripAdvisor travelers. It places Ikoma wild camp in the top-performing of all tourist businesses around the world on TripAdvisor in 2015.

Ms. Leila Ansell, Zara Properties general manager said, “We are very honored to receive this recognition. It means a lot to us especially because Trip Advisor is one of the most reputable sources of tourism and hotel information for global travelers. This goes to show that Ikoma wild camp has earned its place among the leading wild camps in Serengeti. Our clients have always been at the core of our operations as we thrive to ensure that their experiences in Serengeti are beyond memorable.”

“Winning the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence is a true source of pride for the entire team at Zara Properties and we’d like to thank all of our past guests who took the time to complete a review on Trip Advisor,” said by Zainab Ansell, The Director of Zara Tours and Zara Properties. She then adds “There is no greater seal of approval than being recognized by one’s customers. With the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence based on customer reviews, the accolade is a remarkable vote of confidence to our business and our continued commitment to excellence.”

Trip Advisor is the world’s largest online travel site that enables travelers to plan and have perfect trips. It offers trusted advice from real travellers about a variety of travel choices, itineraries, accommodations and travel experiences. Trip Advisor branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, with more than 200 million unique monthly visitors, and over 100 million reviews and opinions. The site operates worldwide.

Opened in 2009 Ikoma wild camp is located in the migration corridor, within the WMA area of Grumeti and Ikorongo Game Reserve, northwest of the famous Serengeti National park. It gives visitors an opportunity to witness the Serengeti migration, while enjoying the stunning view over the surrounding savannah, which is full of wildlife throughout the year.

The Camp is owned and operated by ZARA Tanzania Adventures, a travel agency and tour operator based in Moshi Tanzania.
Mrs. Zainab Ansell, a sustainable tourism advocate from Moshi/Tanzania, founded the business in 1987. They now boast not only a successful tour operation and travel agency but also 6 properties in the Northern circuit including Springland Hotel in Moshi, High View Hotel in Karatu, Serengeti Wild Camp (in Serengeti national park – Seronera area), Serengeti wildebeest camp (in central Serengeti), Ikoma Wild Camp (in Serengeti National park) and Ngorongoro Wild Camp (in Ngorongoro Crater).

ZARA Tanzania Adventures has won a couple of awards in recent years including the 2012 global World Trade Market (WTM) Humanitarian Award in ‪London‬ for practicing sustainable tourism under its foundation Zara Charity, and Mrs. Ansell was awarded the business entrepreneur award under Tanzania Women of Achievement for running a successful Tour Operating Company in 2012; Zara Charity received the Ngorongoro Marathon Award for organizing a successful race to fight ‪Malaria‬ in 2012.

Others include:
2015 – Zara Tours Awarded a certificate of appreciation by Africa travel Association ( ATA) for outstanding contribution in promotion of travel to Africa.
2014 – Zara’s Ikoma Wildcamp awarded Certificate of Excellence by ‪TripAdvisor‬.
2013/2014 – Zara’s Highview Hotel awarded Certificate of Excellence by Trip Advisor.
2013 – Zara Tours winner of Canadian Certificate of Excellence in Commerce.
2011 – Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) presents Zara with Sustainable Tourism Award.

Something For Everyone: Tanzanian Special Interest & Combination Packs

Whether you have dreamed of visiting Tanzania your entire life or have only recently become intrigued by its wonders, there is something to pique the interest of everyone in this fascinating and diverse country.

Zara Tours has customized each of their many Tanzania adventure tours to offer a wide range of possible activities, bringing many experiences to a few travelers or something for everyone in a group.

Many visit Tanzania to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, while others come for the incredible safari sights. What trek or experience calls to you? With the rich array of possibilities, you don’t have to choose just one.

Perfect Packages

Made a difference on your vacation with one of Zara Tours’ Sustainable Tourism packages. Spend two days helping at Kilimanjaro Orphanage Center before climbing the mountain that supports so much of Tanzania, or taking off on safari to see the many others who call this land home.

The Skysafari by Zara Tours is eight days of the ultimate African adventure, including a full day spent exploring the Serengeti. Take in a little piece of everything that makes Tanzania special, from coffee farms to night and day game drives, visiting Lake Manyara one day and the Ngorongoro Crater the next.

For the adventure of a lifetime, choose a Combo Package that takes you to the top of Kilimanjaro and then out to the vast expanses of the African plains on safari.

Day Trips

Are you already in Tanzania and looking for a slice of excitement? Zara Tours’ day trips pack a full adventure into a few short hours.

Walk past rice paddies and through lush tropics on a Forest Walk, where you will see much birdlife and many small animals.

Drive through banana plantations and join the hustle and bustle of everyday village life before enjoying lunch at the foot of tranquil Marangu Waterfall.

At the traditional Maasai homestead you will meet native Maasai and learn about their culture while watching traditional dances of their people.

Special Activities

Add several special experiences to enrich your time in Tanzania.

• Dive down deep to the brilliant coral reefs of Zanzibar and Pemba Island
• Spend a day and night with the Maasai people and learn more about their fascinating tribe
• Safari on mountain bike, camel, or horseback for a nuanced trek
• Volunteer at a charitable organization for a more fulfilling experience
• Study the history of the tribal people and learn the skills of their ancestors
• Lounge on the exquisite beaches of Zanzibar

Whatever draws you to the land of Tanzania, more waits for you than you can imagine. Experience one life-changing aspect of the country after another and have a story or two to share at home.

Mount Kilimanjaro and 6 Interesting Facts to Know

You can see it rising in the distance as soon as you get off the plane and can’t wait to join the Mount Kilimanjaro tour to climb to the top. But how much do you know about Mount Kilimanjaro and the elusive challenge that it is?

5 Unique Ecosystems

While many picture just a steep rock, Kilimanjaro is actually a much more complex mountain. Farmland and villages make up the first level, followed by jungles and forests, both thriving in the torrential rainfalls. Next come the heath zone and then the alpine desert zones, reached as the altitude climbs, where vegetation fades and temperatures fluctuate. Almost all plant and animal life has disappeared at the summit zone, and surface water is nearly non-existent at this the second closest point on earth to the sun.

The World’s Tallest Free-Standing Mountain

The tallest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world, Kilimanjaro stands at 19,341 feet or 5,895 meters. Most freestanding mountains are volcanic, but don’t worry, Kilimanjaro hasn’t erupted in at least 360,000 years.

Home to the Chagga People

The third largest ethnic group in Tanzania, the one million Chagga people are also one of the richest, living in close harmony with the mountain and all it has to offer. They grow bananas, coffee, maize, beans, sugarcane, and maletta. Many of the Chagga offer their services as porters, carrying large sacks of personal equipment on top of their heads for those scaling the mountain. Climbers will often begin their journey by visiting with the Chagga in their villages at the foothills.

Hans Meyer Was the First

In 1889, German geographer Hans Meyer reached the peak of Kibo, Kilimanjaro’s main summit. It was Meyer’s third attempt that was finally successful, and with him climbed Swiss alpinist Ludwig Purtscheller and their Chagga guide Yohani Kinyala Lauwo.

Over 20,000 People Climb Each Year

Of the 20,000 climbers who traverse its slopes each year, only two-thirds make it all the way to the peak. Decreasing oxygen causes altitude sickness, leading to headaches, nausea, exhaustion, and swelling beginning when climbers get less than halfway up. At the peak there is only about half as much oxygen as is found at sea level. Some 1,000 people have to be evacuated and around 10 die, confirming the danger of climbing this mountain as much as the thrill.

A Place for Determination and Inspiration

Climbing to any point of Mount Kilimanjaro is an accomplishment for anyone bold enough to try, but it isn’t just an item on a bucket list to many of the people who risk the feat. Many disabled climbers will use the challenge of the mountain to overcome their handicaps while showing others what they are capable of, often summiting triumphantly after much hard work.

Mount Kilimanjaro holds an inescapable allure for so many who seek to reach its summit, and offering a life-changing adventure and captivating challenge for those who dare to take it.