Tag Archives: Arusha

Recommended in the 3 newest Bradt Travel Guides

Posted on August 3, 2009 by in News

Philip Briggs’ second edition of Northern Tanzania: The Bradt Safari Guide with Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar, published in July 2009, is fully updated throughout, including revised information on the best accommodation in every price bracket, from luxury lodges to simple hotels and hostels, and the best of the safaris. There’s specific coverage of the wildlife and natural history of the region, making it the indispensable companion to a safari in northern Tanzania’s renowned national parks. Plus there’s an introduction to the Swahili language. It is the first of 3 new Bradt Travel Guides featuring Onsea House in Arusha as best accommodation in its class: “… this attractive intimate boutique hotel has drawn praise from all quarters since it opened in Jul 2006. The large green gardens contain a swimming pool & the restaurant, managed by a Michelin trained Belgian chef, serves superb Afro-European fusion cuisine…”

In September, the 6th and fully updated edition of Philip Briggs’ comprehensive bestseller Tanzania with Zanzibar, Pemba & Mafia will provide the latest practical information for both independent travel and all-inclusive safaris, recommends the best of the ground tour operators, gives advice on interaction with the local people,… and also recommends Onsea House. Earlier editions of this guide received rave reviews from both travel press and travellers.

Gordon Rattray is the author of the first edition of Access Africa: Safaris for People with Limited Mobility, a safari guide that is the first in its kind. It describes access in hotels, lodges and tented camps, allowing readers to decide if it suits their particular needs, recommending Onsea House “… Less able travellers might prefer to use it as a chance to eat out in style while in Arusha (accepting help up & down the steps)…” 

Contact www.bradtguides.com or your preferred book shop to buy your copy or contact info@onseahouse.com to make an inquiry at Onsea House in Arusha.

New Sayari Camp opened: most stunning Asilia property to date

Posted on August 3, 2009 by in News

Asilia has just opened their brand new luxurious permanent Sayari Camp- located right at the Mara River in the Northern Serengeti. The former seasonal Sayari Camp has been redesigned to now be Asilia’s most luxurious and breathtaking property. Retaining the essence of an Asilia camp, this stylish property is the epitomy of camp with delivering a high level of personalised service, in amazing comfort but retaining the central focus on sensational game viewing and wildlife experiences. The camp layout and staff numbers allow for guests’ experience to be unique and tailor made- every stay at Sayari shall result in a once in a life time experience.

The camp, although luxurious in many ways holds a great balance with offering guests a true safari experience embracing the unique elements of the ‘real African bush’. Sayari Camp’s 15 luxury tents are split into 2 wings- one with 9 and one with 6 tents all of which are raised on wooden platforms to offer a spacious and extremely comfortable stay. Both wings have their own entertainment and hosting tent making it possible to book each wing exclusively for groups. All of these unique tents in Sayari Camp offer panoramic views over the Serengeti through glass sliding doors and windows and allow guests to enjoy the tranquillity of the bush while relaxing on their private wooden deck where a large sofa/day bed and table and chairs are just waiting for them.

To promote this property Asilia is offering a stay 4 nights pay for 3 nights special for the remainder of this year (2009). This special also applies to the other Asilia properties: Olakira and Dunia Camp in the southern/central Serengeti, Suyan in the Loliondo Private Concession, Oliver’s Camp in the Tarangire National Park and the 2 stunning beach properties Matemwe and Matemwe Retreat on the North East coast of Zanzibar. For more information visit www.asilialodges.com or contact us on info@onseahouse.com.

Member of African Travel and Tourism Association

Posted on July 30, 2009 by in News

Since July, exactly 3 years after the opening in July 2006, Onsea House in Arusha has been proposed and accepted to be member and shareholder in ATTA, Europe’s largest trade association linking tourism in Africa with the travel trade, the UK Foreign Office and the media.

ATTA creates the platform for buyers across Europe to meet suppliers of African tourism product at networking events, trade shows and through its links with the media. ATTA distributes news on tourism matters throughout Africa to its wide membership and acts as an information hub between the news media and the tourist industry in times of crisis.

Onsea House has its own member page in the ATTA online member directory. Contact info@onseahouse.com and/or visit www.onseahouse.com for any further information.

Tanzanian beers win Belgian Awards

Posted on July 27, 2009 by in News

Two Tanzania Breweries (TBL) brands have scooped top international awards for best beer, with Safari Lager continuing its winning streak, first registered five years ago.

Kilimanjaro and Safari lagers won gold medals at the ‘Monde Selection 2009,’ an annual event in Brussels, Belgium for tasting alcohol, food, tobacco, perfumes and cosmetics. The Monde Selection is held annually since 1961.

“These Tanzanian products, which have become part of the rich national fabric emerged triumphant by winning the gold medals in the prestigious international Monde Selection awards” according to the TDL marketing director. Safari Lager won gold medals in 2004, 2005, and 2007.

The Belgian owners of Onsea House in Arusha, Tanzania, have a wide range of Tanzanian beers and some imported beers from Belgium and the USA on their drinks list.

Onsea House has also an extensive Wine List with a large choice from top wineries in South Africa to rare bottles from the old wine world, probably the best selection in Tanzania.

Luxury lodge is helping to preserve the Serengeti

Posted on July 22, 2009 by in News

“Keeping prices high and tourist numbers low could be the way to preserve the Serengeti and make it profitable. The new, luxurious Bilila Lodge Kempinski is part of the plan” reports The Independent on Sunday in an interesting (and funny) article about the opening of the newest and most luxurious hotel in the Serengeti last week. During the formal opening of the US$ 50 million Bilila Lodge Kempinski by President Kikwete, he sounded a curious note by calling on the country’s tourism authorities to go slow on building more hotels in the Unesco World Heritage Site.

The East African Business Week reported that the UAE owner Ali Saeed Albwardy of ASB Tanzania Limited, promised that there is more to come: “We promise to build more hotels in Tanzania. We are ready to invest in more hotels because the investment atmosphere is right. We have been in Tanzania for five years and already we have invested in Kilimanjaro Hotel, Kempinski in Dar es Salaam and Zamani Hotel in Zanzibar”.

We had the privilege to meet Ali Albwardy who came for lunch at Onsea House and revelealed his plans of the luxury 178 rooms Kempinski Hotel Saba Saba in Arusha with 3 restaurants and 2 bars, conference facilities for up to 800 guests and spa with 8 treatment rooms in late 2010. Now it is also official that Kempinski Hotel Stonetown is in the pipeline with 57 rooms and suites, 2 restaurants and a bar, conference rooms and spa with 4 treatment rooms in late 2010. Last but not least the Kempinski Ngorongoro Crater is foreseen for opening in 2012. With this expansian plan, Tanzania will take the lead with 6 properties in all Middle Eastern and African locations and even come globally in the top ranking after China, Germany and India.

Onsea House was invited for a familiarization with the Bilila Lodge Kempinski which was a throughly fantastic experience. While staff got trained to soon welcome up to 160 guests in 74 rooms, suites and villas, we had the luxury to discover the property with just 12 guests. The lodge facilities include a beautifully decorated restaurant, lobby lounge, bar, boma, wine cellar, art gallery and gift shop. The infinity pool and Anantara Spa provide for the ultimate relaxation after an exciting day of a game drive. Bilila combines the height of through 5 star luxury with romance in spectacular African wilderness surrounds.

Read about the special promotional introduction action or contact info@onseahouse.com for any further information and/or a stay at Onsea House as part of an attractive last-minute Kempinski package.

Gourmet Travel in Tanzania

Posted on July 2, 2009 by in News

The Food & Home Entertaining July 2009 issue writes about The Tastes of Africa in an issue dedicated to food and good restaurants in Africa. The highlight of the issue is an article about Gourmet Travel in Tanzania. The fertile country grows some of the continent’s finest vegetables, as can be seen at the markets, where the juicy rich-red tomatoes in particular have that rare, sweet, real-tomato taste.

Among the discribed “places to be” are the restaurant at Saadani Lodge, the Ethiopian restaurant “Addis in Dar”, the Oriental restaurant at the Kempinski Kilimanjaro in Dar Es Salaam and the new Kempinski Bilila Lodge in the Serengeti.

Arusha has (just) “two particularly excellent restaurants”. Mary Chatzifotiadi owns and runs the Bay Leaf Fine Dining Restaurant, which is called an “unexpected culinary discovery”. The article ends with a description of the Onsea House restaurant on the outskirts of Arusha with Michelin experienced Belgian chef: “a brasserie serving inventing dishes that combine African and European tastes and techniques”.

Call chef-manager Axel Janssens on 0787 112 498 to book a table.

Enjoy promotional introduction rates in the Serengeti at Bilila Kempinski

Posted on June 20, 2009 by in News

Destined to bring a new level of luxury to the Serengeti, the Bilila Lodge Kempinski officially opened on June 1, 2009.

The earlier announced promotion ‘Stay 3 – Pay 2′ valid until the end of September 2009, has just got even better with reduced rates valid until December 23, 2009:
Deluxe room:    EUR 500 (instead of EUR 600 in high season)
Club room:        EUR 700 (instead of EUR 850 in high season)

All the above mentioned rates are Full Board (including full breakfast, lunch or packed lunch and dinner), per room, per night.

Scheduled and private game drives into the Serengeti National Park can be booked together with the accommodation. Half day (4hrs) game drives are a fantastic experience for guest who fly in and get transferred to/from Seronera Airstrip.

Visit the travel diary for an insight into Tanzania and Kempinski.
Contact info@onseahouse.com for further recommendations if you want to combine this last-minute action with a stay at Onsea House in Arusha after your arrival &/or before departure.

Asilia Lodges and Camps Special 4-for-3 Offer

Posted on June 16, 2009 by in News

Next to the ongoing introduction action of the new Kempinksi Bilila Lodge in the Serengeti and the AndBeyond Africa special safari offers, Asilia Lodges and Camps launches a special action for all bookings taking place from June-December 2009: stay for 4 and pay for 3 (or stay during 8 days and pay for 6,…). 

This special offer is an ideal way to discover the stunning Sayari Camp and Olakira Camp in the Serengeti,  Suyan Camp in the Loliondo area and Oliver’s Camp in Tarangire National Park during a safari in Tanzania and/or relax at Matemwe in Zanzibar.

If you would like to receive recommendations on with whom to book your holiday to Tanzania and/or information for a stay at Onsea House before and/or after your safari in Arusha, please send an email to info@onseahouse.com.