Jumeirah Group, a luxury hotel brand located in Dubai, has partnered with Thanda Group to open two new locations in Africa: Jumeirah Thanda Safari in South Africa and Jumeirah Thanda Island in Tanzania.
Off the coast of Tanzania, East Africa, is Jumeirah Thanda Island, a secluded island with exclusive use within a private marine reserve. The Jumeirah Thanda Safari, which includes Jumeirah Residences and The Royal Thanda Club, is located in one of South Africa’s Big Five private game reserves.
“Jumeirah’s move into Africa is part of the hospitality brand’s ongoing strategy to grow and diversify its portfolio with new destinations and enriching experiences,” the company said.
The two hotels are Jumeirah’s first in Africa, and they both place a strong emphasis on sustainability, local community empowerment, and conservation. Jumeirah, a division of Dubai Holding, emphasized in a statement that initiatives assist youth education, marine life, and anti-poaching operations.
Bookings for Jumeirah Thanda Island and Safari will begin in December 2024, while new construction, including ultra-luxury tented camps and new apartments, is scheduled for 2027.
African luxury market
Thomas Meier, Chief Operating Officer and Interim Chief Executive Officer at Jumeirah, said, “As we look to the future, our intent for Jumeirah is clear. We want to grow sustainably into new destinations and diversify our portfolio, focusing on properties that offer a distinct proposition and deliver enriching guest experiences rooted in culture and connection.”
According to Meier, these two properties epitomise this strategy. “Not only do these exceptional properties mark our first entry into Africa – a market which continues to show strong growth in the luxury travel sector – but they represent a new style of experience for Jumeirah with everything from total exclusivity to the opportunity to experience the wonder of nature at its finest,” he added.
A secluded tropical getaway with a five-suite villa and direct access to marine activities like coral reef restoration and whale shark diving, Thanda Island is situated in Tanzania’s Shungimbili Island Marine Reserve.
Located in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa’s Jumeirah Thanda Safari offers upscale lodging, cultural events, and unique Big Five wildlife sightings.
Pierre Delvaux, founding CEO at Thanda Group, said, “When our owners Christin and Dan Olofsson of Malmo, Sweden, and I first embarked on this journey in 2002, we envisioned partnering one day with a pioneering global operator whose vision aligned with our own ethos and values, particularly concerning philanthropy and nature conservation.”
He added, “Now, on the 20th anniversary of opening our first lodge, we are thrilled to embark on the next chapter of our journey. It is a true privilege to partner with Jumeirah, and the entire Thanda team is filled with excitement and optimism for what the future holds.”
