Dunia Camp: Our All-Women Camp in the Serengeti

By Britta Foulis

Dunia Camp is a shining beacon for the empowerment of women – and we are so proud to be able to call it our own.

Tanzania is a predominantly male-dominated society, the struggles that many women face are a daily occurrence. AngelVendeline Namshali, born under the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, became Dunia Camp’s very first female manageress and has continued to help make Dunia the only all-female run camp in the Serengeti – an incredible accomplishment, and once that she is extremely proud of. The women of Dunia have even been dubbed the “Angels of the Serengeti” thanks to Angel’s saintly name. In a short interview with Angel, she tells us her story of how she came to work at Dunia Camp and what it means to her.

Wonder Women

Dunia Camp was never started with the idea of an all-female staff in mind – everything just sort of fell into place. Angel had the following to say, “So many thought that we will be very scared with animals, that we can’t cooperate and work as one – they were not looking to the positive side of a woman! Women can do anything that can be done by any other person in this world.”

Working towards a staff of only females, Dunia Camp slowly introduced more and more women to the camp while transferring their men to other Asilia properties. In the end, we’re left with an entirely female-run camp which is thriving in the middle of the Serengeti!

You’ll be welcomed to the family and greeted with a lively song and dance from the ladies, they ensure you get the perfect dose of adventure and comfort during your stay. When the time comes to say goodbye, you’ll be whisked off in your safari vehicle while the ladies sing you a “goodbye song” – it truly is something you will never forget!

Women’s Day – Press for Progress

Now, more than ever, there’s a strong call-to-action to press forward and progress gender parity. There’s a strong call to#PressforProgress– motivating and uniting friends, colleagues and whole communities to think, act and be gender inclusive.

This year, Women’s Day is highlighting this press for change. We believe that Dunia Camp strongly supports this message and that the initiative taken to turn this camp into one run by all women is something we can all be very proud of.Angel has explained, time and time again, how her community were very dismissive of her choice to work in this industry when she first announced her plans but now the tables have turned, she is a shining example for young girls growing up back home.

Angel reminds young girls to stay in school and not let men take advantage of them. The families of the all the Dunia women are helpedfinancially as the women bring home a guaranteed wage each month. The knock-on effects of these ladies is huge – the hundreds of young women who look up to these ladies means that there is a whole generation of young women in Tanzania who now believe they can achieve their dreams and become anything they want to be.

Dunia Camp – All You Need To Know

Setting Dunia apart from other camps is its location, a serene and peaceful spot in the heart of the Serengeti that offers access to the three exceptional game-viewing areas of Seronera, the Moru Kopjes and the southern Serengeti plains.

Dunia is a tranquil semi-permanent camp with just eight spacious tented suites, each with expansive views which can be enjoyed from your large private veranda. Your days are filled with never-ending excitement and wonder – head out early in the morning and enjoy breakfast on the edge of a kopje – the endless plains stretch out ahead of you while you sip your coffee and enjoy your meal. The rest of the day is usually spent exploring the Serengeti and keeping your eyes firmly fixed on the landscape, hoping to spot something exciting!

After heading back to camp for a delicious lunch enjoyed on the deck, you can either choose to head out for a second game-drive for the day or spent the last few hours of sunlight relaxing and getting ready for the nightly bush-fire, drinks, and story-time before feasting on a delicious dinner and heading back to your room for a good night’s rest with the sounds of the African bush singing you to sleep.

You’d be missing out if you didn’t include Dunia Camp in your next safari itinerary!

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