Date of Visit: 27th July 2025

Location: Furaha Luxury Lodge, Tanzania

On a quiet morning beneath the vast African skies, where acacia trees whisper ancient tales and the Serengeti beckons just beyond the horizon, a new chapter in Tanzanian luxury tourism was written. This chapter begins with two extraordinary people: Stefano Ottone and Martina Alba Iacovone, a charming and passionate couple from Italy, who became the very first guests to step through the doors of Furaha Luxury Lodge.

More than a visit—this was a moment of history.

First Footprints on Sacred Soil

As the sun cast its golden rays across the savannah on July 27, 2025, Stefano and Martina were welcomed as trailblazers of the Furaha experience. Their arrival marked more than just the lodge’s official opening—it symbolized the birth of a vision: a place where luxury, sustainability, and culture blend in perfect harmony.

With genuine curiosity and appreciation for nature, the couple immersed themselves in every detail of their stay—from panoramic views of the Great Rift Valley to exquisite culinary journeys and the serenity of the lodge’s eco-designed Masai-inspired suites.

Their warmth, enthusiasm, and respect for the land immediately captured the hearts of the Furaha team.

Planting the Future: The First Contributors to the 300 Tree Legacy Program

Beyond being the first to stay, Stefano and Martina also became the first environmental pioneers at Furaha Luxury Lodge by inaugurating the "Furaha 300 Tree Planting Program." This ambitious initiative is rooted in a commitment to reforestation, biodiversity protection, and community-driven sustainability.

On that very day, they planted the very first trees—a symbolic gesture that will grow into a living forest and a tribute to guests who choose to give back to the land they explore.

These trees now bear their names—a legacy of life, growth, and renewal.

Their act was not only recorded in the lodge’s founding registry, but also spiritually honored by the Maasai community, who blessed the planting ceremony with song, dance, and traditional prayer.

A Milestone for the Lodge—and a Tour Operator’s First Honor

This unforgettable moment also ushered in a milestone for the Tanzanian travel community. Everlasting Africa Adventure, the visionary tour operator who arranged Stefano and Martina’s journey, became the first official safari partner to bring guests to Furaha Luxury Lodge.

This distinction highlights a powerful synergy between responsible tour operators and next-generation eco-lodges that aim to reshape the future of African travel—through immersive, meaningful, and regenerative experiences.

Writing the First Chapter Together

At Furaha Luxury Lodge, we believe in more than hospitality—we believe in shared purpose. In the community. In the poetry of beginnings.

The names Stefano Ottone and Martina Alba Iacovone will forever be remembered as the founding guests who believed in our vision before the world had seen it. Their footprints have become part of our foundation, and their planted trees will one day shade future generations of travelers, dreamers, and conservationists.

To them, we say: Asante sana. Thank you for being part of our origin story. Thank you for writing this record with us.

Welcome to Furaha Luxury Lodge. Welcome to a Story Worth Remembering.

Every stay writes a new line.

Every guest leaves a legacy.
But only one couple had the honor of writing the first page.

Furaha Luxury Lodge

Where luxury is rooted in purpose, and every moment is a memory in the making.