How a Small Business Can Help the Poor

This safari lodge has some remarkably positive aims and a genuine desire to help the people without inflicting any kind of dogmatic conditions. It intends to help local Tanzanians have a better life but to lead whatever kind of life they wish to. If individuals or even complete families or tribes wish to have their children integrated into a modern, computer driven society with employment in modern business then that shall be, but if they wish to remain pastoralists or to till their lands, to remain nomadic then let them, but they too need help. An interesting mixture can also apply, for example the Maasai politician who works in a suit and tie, is chauffeured from meeting to meeting and goes home at the weekend to his remote Boma (village) and lives his original Maasai life with all their traditions and customs as they were.

It is possible for business to provide constructive support and help under privileged people no matter where they live, whatever their creed, nationality or religion. However, to do so the business must be successful – its employees must have secure jobs and a promising future – and it must have a regular flow of customers. So it would not be fair to complete this article without explaining a little about the safari lodge which has provided my inputs.

The Manyara Valley Culture Camp’s motto is “At Home in Africa”. There are two main reasons for this slogan. Firstly they provide modern, en-suite rooms in new bungalows with large terraces overlooking the most beautiful Rift Valley with Lake Manyara to the south and Mount Kitumbeine (2800m) to the north. Each room is furnished to western European standards in terms of furniture, fittings, comfort and above all cleanliness. Its kitchen is maintained to European hygienic standards and its restaurant, built in the traditional style with a thatched roof is open to the vast and glorious surroundings, offering amazing views. So you can feel at home at the camp!

The second reason why “At Home in Africa” is important is that you can do, during their one week package, whatever you wish to do on top of their all inclusive safaris. Of the six full days spent at the camp four are taken by full day safaris (picnic hamper lunch) – two wildlife safari days in two of three world renowned National Parks: Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire National Park or Lake Manyara National Park. The latter is just twenty minutes away and the furthest (Tarangire) takes just ninety minutes on a very good road. Two other days are spent on culture safaris with local tribes such as the Mbulu, Maasai, Chagga in a very personal experience. The final two days are spent just like at home, doing whatever you wish: if you just want to relax in camp then do it, perhaps combined with a few guided, gentle walks – just wandering or bird watching. If you want more adventure or athletic activities that is also possible with guided treks, foot safaris mountain walks etc. Traditional African board games and books from the drop and take library are also available for the mentally active.

Everything is fully included (except flights and alcoholic beverages) and, apart from those two days when you just pick and choose what to do it is all arranged for you including free airport shuttles to and from camp. So it is ideal for the first time to Africa visitors and for those who have been before and are looking for more!

This lodge will make you fell at home in Africa, and thanks to your custom, will be able to provide significant help in rural Tanzania. Now that’s what I call a business!