Jumeirah Thanda Group Partnership Unveils Luxurious Destinations in Africa

Jumeirah Thanda Group partnership has introduced two luxurious destinations in Africa. Jumeirah Thanda Safari in South Africa and Jumeirah Thanda Island in Tanzania. This unique partnership is strategic to the Dubai-headquartered luxury hotel brand looking to spread Arabian hospitality in Africa. Both Tanzania and South Africa are among the leading tourist destinations in Africa.

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What Does Jumeirah Do?

Jumeirah is a luxury hotel brand based in Dubai running top-grade properties globally such as:

City Hotels
Exclusive beach resorts
Serviced and luxurious residence

It was founded in 1997 and is an appendage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Dubai Holding. Luxury and class describe Jumeirah’s property portfolio. For instance, the brand owns the popular Burj Al Arab and the stylish Madinat Jumeirah. These two are among the most famous properties in this Arab City.

Overall, this luxury brand strongly emphasizes offering guests exceptional service in all its hotels, resorts and residences. So far, there are 85 restaurants under the brand offering diverse and authentic cuisines.

The famous Burj-al-Arab is owned by the Dubai-based Jumeirah luxury hotel brand. Photo/Jumeirah

What Jumeirah Thanda Group Partnership is All About

Jumeirah Thanda Group Partnership marks a new dawn in Africa’s safari industry. The partnership intends to create a new path for safari lovers to enjoy and appreciate nature’s offerings in South Africa and Tanzania. Jumeirah is keen on inculcating a sense of culture to travellers by creating experiences where people connect easily through nature.

Thanda, on the other hand, provides a cultural and natural connection. The Zulu-inspired name—Thanda—means love. The partnership features an inclusive, luxurious, and exclusive villa in Tanzania exclusive residences and a members’ club in South Africa.

Jumeirah’s Chief Operating Officer Thomas Meier said in a statement that this is just the beginning. They will explore opportunities that allow their brand to provide enriching cultural and safari experiences in Africa. Meier added that their entry into the African luxury safari segment is an opportunity for guests to travel in style and enjoy exclusivity in nature.

He also remarked Thanda’s core values align with their vision of sustainable luxury safari and environmental conservation. On his part, Thanda’s Chief Executive Officer Pierre Delvaux said that the Jumeirah Thanda Group Partnership is a 22-year-old dream. Delvaux and his other co-founders, Dan Olofsson and Christen from Sweden started Thanda Group in 2002.

Their shared dream was to partner with a global leading brand whose ethos aligns with theirs. This happened in 2024 with Jumeirah. Thanda is now focused on offering guests unforgettable experiences in Tanzania and South Africa.

Jumeirah Thanda Island in Tanzania

Thanda Island off the Tanzanian coast. Photo/Jacada Travel

Jumeirah Thanda Island is located on a five-hectare private island in Tanzania, Shungimbili Island Marine Reserve. Its exclusivity is vivid from helicopter rides from Dar es Salaam to the Marine Reserve. However, speedboat rides through Mafia Island provide a better connection with nature for guests headed to Jumeirah Thanda Island.

The property features a luxurious villa with a beachfront house design housing five suites and twine Swahili Bandas leading directly to the Indian Ocean. A private chef together with a team of dedicated staff are on site. Their culinary skills are superbly suited to preparing African-Arabian food and a host of other international cuisines. All ingredients used to prepare meals are sourced locally.

Heaty boat rides around Shungimbili Marine Reserve captures the much-talked-about connection with nature in the Jumeirah Thanda Group partnership. Guests are at liberty to swim, watch whale sharks, dive and snorkel. Further, they can spend time sailing on a traditional Arab Dhow to Chole Island.

Beyond the fun activities, Jumeirah Thanda Group partnership is keen on marine conservation. One of them is continuing coral reef restoration and initiating programmes aimed at protecting sea turtles considered endangered species.

Jumeirah Thanda Safari

Thanda Safari in South Africa. Photo/Stars Travel

South Africa’s Jumeirah Thanda Safari is situated in Thanda Safari Private Game Reserve found in northern KwaZulu Natal province. KwaZulu Natal (KZN) is famous for its rich wildlife sightings especially the Big Five. Thanda Safari blends in with the wild nature of KZN with beautiful safari residences in the 386-hectare property.

Royal Thanda Club, a top African exclusive lifestyle club is part of the Jumeirah Thanda Group partnership. Jumeirah Residences in provide a unique mix of nature, luxury and adventure. Available activities for guests include the following: