Our Story

Both graduates of Hospitality Management from Maastricht University in the Netherlands, Eliane and Lisenka share a deep passion for Zanzibar and its vibrant community

We are proud to be at the forefront of sustainable tourism and education

Hospitality with a purpose

We empower young Zanzibaris a hands-on training, a way of giving back to the local community.

At Ma’a Salama, we go beyond hospitality. Our resort is home to a unique Hospitality Training Centre, offering young Zanzibaris the chance to learn and thrive in an inspiring, hands-on environment. You'll enjoy warm, personal service from both our local staff and students, who share their rich culture and passion for hospitality.

This not-for-profit initiative supports a brighter, more peaceful future for everyone; our guests, staff, and students. Rooted in sustainable practices, Ma’a Salama is designed to honour its natural surroundings while giving back to the local community.

Eliane

By founding Ma’a Salama, she combines her expertise with a passion for making a difference.

The perfect place to bring my expertise and create a lasting impact

Eliane launched the Ma’a Salama project when she recognized the lack of hospitality training on the island. With years of experience in key roles at international hospitality companies, she felt this was the perfect place to bring her expertise and create a lasting impact.

Her deep understanding of people, design, and styling all come together in the vision of Ma’a Salama, fulfilling her dream of contributing to a brighter future on the island.

Providing world-class hospitality training to the next generation of Zanzibari talent

Lisenka

Immersed in local culture, dedicated to delivering world-class hospitality training.

Lisenka, with a long-standing passion for managing boutique hotels in Zanzibar, has dedicated her career to both hospitality management and training. She has immersed herself in the local culture, learning Kiswahili and building meaningful connections with the community.

At Ma’a Salama, she has found the ideal place to combine her love for Zanzibar with her commitment to providing world-class hospitality training to the next generation of Zanzibari talent.

Together for impact

With the support of generous partners, Ma’a Salama blends a Boutique Resort with Hospitality Training, shaping the future of the community.

The project has come to life thanks to the support of many generous partners who have become true friends of our mission

We are deeply grateful for their initial and ongoing support, which has helped us create a state-of-the-art learning environment that seamlessly combines a Boutique Resort with on-site Hospitality Training facilities. Together, we are making a lasting impact on the community and the next generation of hospitality professionals.

Our partners

Asante sana!
(Swahili for Thank You)

Handmade from Tanzania