The Valhalla Heritage
Valhalla Safaris is rooted in a family history that runs parallel to modern Tanzania itself. What we do today is not built on tourism trends, but on decades of living, learning, and moving through this country with curiosity, responsibility, and respect
VALHALLA HISTORY
A Family History in Tanzania
At the foothills of Mount Meru in Arusha, our family established a life in Tanzania that extended far beyond tourism. What began as a personal connection to the land grew into decades of living, travelling, and understanding the rhythms of East Africa.
Life at Valhalla Farm was shaped by close encounters with wildlife and the natural world — from cheetahs raised and released, to servals wandering freely, to ostriches moving through the landscape. These experiences were not staged, but part of a time when Tanzania was quieter, less travelled, and deeply connected to those who lived within it.
This history continues to shape how we approach safari today — with patience, respect, and an understanding that comes only from time spent on the ground.
VALHALLA ESTABLISHMENT
Valhalla Farm, Arusha
VALHALLA ROOTS
At the foothills of Mount Meru, our family established Valhalla Farm near Arusha, a place that became a refuge for both people and wildlife. Injured and displaced animals were cared for, rehabilitated, and reintroduced to the wild whenever possible.
Valhalla was never a collection, and never a spectacle. It was a place of protection, patience, and responsibility.
Growing Up in the Wild
Growing up in Tanzania meant learning the bush before learning the road. Wildlife was not something to chase, but something to understand, reading tracks, recognising behaviour, and knowing when not to interfere.
Those early experiences continue to define how we approach safaris today: quietly, attentively, and with respect for natural rhythms.
THE BUSH
Our grandparents began exploring the bush in the 1960s and quickly fell in love with it. What started as curiosity became a lifelong connection to the wild.
They spent years travelling across Tanzania’s most remote landscapes, often with nothing more than a tent, food, and water. Evenings were spent baking bread over open fires, days were spent patrolling alongside rangers, sitting quietly by a waterhole, or adopting animals who were severely injured.
Along the way, they built a deep understanding of the land and a lasting respect for the traditions and knowledge of the local communities they encountered.
Falling in Love with the Bush
CONSERVATION IN TANZANIA
Conservation as a Responsibility
Conservation is fundamental to the future of Tanzania’s protected areas and wildlife. It means supporting efforts that protect ecosystems, maintain ecological balance, and ensure wildlife thrives for generations. This work is not done by tourism alone, it depends on organisations and individuals who commit long-term to the protection of habitat and species.
VALHALLA PROTECTION
Protecting Wildlife and Landscapes
Our connection to Tanzania is closely tied to the work of Friends of Serengeti.
A portion of every Valhalla safari is donated to Friends of Serengeti, so that they may assist with anti-poaching efforts, ranger operations, and long-term ecosystem protection. We will continue to support the practical, on-the-ground approach to conservation, focused on supporting those responsible for safeguarding Tanzania’s national parks.
For us, conservation is not separate from safari — it is a responsibility that comes with knowing and working within these environments over decades.
PROTECTING TANZANIAN WILDLIFE
Responsibility and Conservation on Safari
Responsible safari practices are key for preserving and protecting Tanzania. Ethical travel in Tanzania means minimising environmental impact, respecting natural wildlife behaviour, and actively supporting conservation on the ground. Our safaris are designed with care of the wildlife at the forefront.
By choosing Valhalla Safaris you are supporting conservation. Our guests contribute to a model of tourism that supports wildlife protection and the long-term sustainability of Tanzania’s wilderness. We see conservation not as a concept, but as a shared responsibility, one that ensures these landscapes remain wild for generations to come.
VALHALLA INFLUENCE
Friends of Serengeti
Founded in 1984 by our grandparents, Friends of Serengeti Switzerland (FSS) works to defend and preserve Tanzania’s wildlife, from the Serengeti plains to surrounding reserves and wildlife corridors. FSS supports local authorities to help wildlife protection and ecosystem care.
The organisation’s efforts extend beyond advocacy; practical support includes donating patrol equipment, fuel, tents, and gear that help rangers operate in remote areas. These contributions strengthen on-the-ground conservation capacity and enhance the effectiveness of protected area management.
VALHALLA EXPLORATION
Off the Beaten Track
Exploration for us has always meant looking beyond the obvious. Tanzania still holds vast, rarely visited areas; places without crowds, without schedules, and without noise.
This is where our safaris often lead: routes shaped by knowledge rather than popularity, revealing landscapes and ecosystems few travellers ever see.
MAASAILAND
MAASAILAND
RANDILEN CWMA
VALHALLA SAFARIS
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