Miseni Retreat – " A retreat for the soul"

SANA is currently carrying out construction for its first community lodge Miseni Retreat in the protected Miseni forest at Gongo Village in Bagamoyo district.  Miseni Retreat will open in 2011.

The essence of this construction is in the need to protecting the spiritual place at the hill called Kikwati which is in the forest. This place has for many years been respected by the people of this area who regard this place as a place for spiritual healing. However the need to increase community's income has posed threat to destruction of this place as farm plots for pineapple get expanded each season.  

The construction is carried in a traditional way that is friendly to the natural environment of the place; all materials used are natural and most of them are found within the area. The designs of the buildings reflect the traditional African houses by using earth bricks and thatching with coconut leaves.

The construction from its earliest stage has been beneficial to the community as some of the community members have been getting paid from the labour they provide to the construction of the lodge. In the long run the project is planned to be carried in collaboration with the community. People from the community will be trained to take different position in the operation of the lodge while the proceeds generated from the lodge will be channelled to support the community. Farther more the project will play a primary market of the vegetables and fruits that are produced by the village community. 

The lodge and the surroundings of Miseni forest including Kikwati hill will offer to its visitors a place for relaxation as well as a place for spiritual activities such as meditation. There will also be cycling and walking safaris inside the forest of the Miseni.

How can you help?

You can help though donating to SANA and its activities, or if you wish to donate for this specific project you are welcome to do so. Building of this retreat is a very costly task; therefore all the help we can get will be very much appreciated. We hope by doing this we can preserve the areas at the same time allow the community to benefit first hand from the profits of tourism thus regenerating a once forgotten people. But also we can offer people a place to reconnect with nature and the serenity that this place has to offer.