Tanzania

Amini Africa Maasai Lodge: A Cultural Experience with Social Benefit to Match

Bordering Arusha National Park, Africa Amini Maasai Lodge gets a huge tick of approval from the Shadows of Africa team. Not only does this lodge offer a unique experience and offer genuine interaction with the Maasai and elements of their culture but your stay also helps to support social projects run by the founders and members of the local Maasai community.

Healthcare in Tanzania is largely determined based on accessibility and affordability. Such barriers to healthcare are significantly exacerbated in more rural areas of the country. Recognising that healthcare was not attending to the needs of Maasai in Momella, Arusha, Doctor Cristine Wallner from Austria (founder) began to take this issue into her own hands. From its small beginnings of attending to clients under the giant fig tree, Amini Africa has expanded into a permanent hospital, and also provides access to other social services such as education and vocational skills training.

The Fig Tree and Starting Place for Africa Amini

“Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services”
- Article 25 of the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948

When Dr Wallner shifted to Tanzania, her idea was to establish access to professional healthcare where there was none. Due to the isolation of Momella, people requiring treatment needed to travel hours by foot to the nearest health facility. Today, the health facilities at Momella are some of the best in the region.

Shadows of Africa recently visited Amini to get a glimpse at the work they were undertaking. Remtulla, our designated tour guide, took us around the hospital including their new operating theatre (opening in October), the school and orphanage, computer learning centre, women’s centre, library and healing centre.

Nurses Rooms

If you’re interested in getting a genuine cultural experience during your stay in Tanzania, while supporting a great cause at the same time, don’t go past Africa Amini Maasai Lodge.  Check out the rest of the photos from our tour below!

Women's Centre

Healing Centre with Natural Remedies

Library

Orphanage

Yellow Fever Update for Visitors to Tanzania

Culture & History of Zanzibar

Tribes & Religion of Tanzania

Yellow Fever Update

Due to the recent outbreak of Yellow Fever in Angola and reported cases in both Uganda and Kenya, the Ministries in Health in Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania have issued a statement regarding the need for Yellow Fever vaccinations for all travellers wishing to enter these countries.

In light of this recent development, we urge all Shadows of Africa clients to ensure they have had their Yellow Fever vaccination at least ten days ahead of their intended travel dates and have an up to date Yellow Fever vaccination card with them at immigration.

An up-to-date Yellow Fever vaccination card is needed if entering Tanzania, Kenya, or Rwanda from another African country, even if you are just transferring through.

If you are flying directly from your home country, you don't need to worry about this.

The Yellow Fever vaccination lasts for ten years, so if you have had yours in the past decade, you'll just need your vaccination card.

It's also important that your vaccination be up to date for health reasons. Yellow Fever is completely avoidable if vaccinated.

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