Hatari Travel and Waris Dirie Celebrate African Beauty, Heritage, and Purpose

Arusha National Park, Tanzania — Hatari.Travel was honoured to host global icon and activist Waris Dirie last week. The "Desert Flower" returned to the African soil that shaped her strength, finding a natural sanctuary at Hatari Lodge and Shu’mata Camp—a place where wilderness, heritage, and purpose meet quietly under the Tanzanian sky.

Waris Dirie, once a defining presence on the world’s most celebrated catwalks, found a striking mirror in the landscape of Arusha National Park. At Hatari, elegance is not manufactured; it is found in the effortless grace of giraffes moving across the lodge’s "showgrounds." This symbolic reunion of two African beauties—the icon and the wilderness—reaffirms Hatari’s belief that true elegance lies in authenticity.

Beyond the cinematic scenery, this visit marked a deepening commitment to the empowerment of the continent. Together with the Desert Flower Foundation, Hatari.Travel and its founders, Marlies and Jörg Gabriel, reaffirm their dedication to:

• Community & Conservation: Strengthening the bond between the land and those who protect it.
• Empowering Africa’s Mothers: Supporting initiatives that provide economic dignity and healthcare for women within the Kilimanjaro ecosystem.
• The Spirit of Regeneration: Moving beyond traditional tourism to create a platform where global advocacy meets grassroots action.

"For our guests, Hatari has always been a recalibration of how one feels in the world," says Marlies Gabriel. "Welcoming Waris Dirie was a powerful reminder that when we align our natural rhythm with a clear purpose, we don't just protect the landscape—we rise together."

This partnership reflects the core of the Hatari experience: a sanctuary where cinematic history, culinary conservation and high-end hospitality serve as tools for cross-cultural engagement and the protection of Africa’s living magic.

About Waris Dirie & The Desert Flower Foundation

Waris Dirie is a world-renowned model, author, and human rights activist. Her Desert Flower Foundation works globally to end FGM and empower women through education and economic independence.

About Hatari Travel

Hatari Travel operates Hatari Lodge and Shu’mata Camp in Northern Tanzania. As leaders in "Culinary Conservation" through their Wondergarden initiative, they bridge the gap between luxury travel and regenerative agriculture, ensuring that every guest experience supports local biodiversity and community livelihoods.