GLOBAL CONNECTION – Where two cultures unite and speak through the heart….
When we, Hans and Maaike van Dam, went on safari in Tanzania in March 2006, we crossed paths with a young guide, Silver Mmassy, who, over time, has had a huge influence on the rest of our lives. It was not only his knowledge of the English language, but particularly his sociable character and his vast knowledge of the wildlife in Tanzania which was something we noticed immediately. He was also an expert driver whom we felt comfortable with in the car.
We agreed with Silver, then still working for a large tour operator, to keep in touch through email. This is how our contact grew and when Maaike and I decided to marry in May 2007, Silver was invited as our special guest. He left East Africa for the first time and stayed with us for a month. It was a fantastic experience for him in a country below sea level, where you can moor a boat on a canal in your back garden, where a road goes straight over a large lake and there are no donkeys or cows on the roads.
Silver became one with our family, next to our 4 children. We agreed to take our family on holiday to Tanzania in July 2008. On the one hand, to introduce the Safari world of Tanzania to our children and, on the other, to meet Silver’s family and get acquainted with life in Africa. Through meeting the whole Mmassy family we were able to experience how social and business like these people are. They are real Chagga, the entrepreneurs of Tanzania. Because of the special friendship and trust that had developed, the idea arose to do something together in Tanzania. Silver is an active type, honest and social, a good base on which to start. The first step was to purchase a piece of land just outside Arusha.
When we decided to build a motel there, the time was right to start a small company. This is how Global Connection Ltd. came into being and our motel Paradise View was built on the side of Mount Meru. The name Global Connection interprets precisely what we want to bring into practice, to be able to connect people worldwide. This could start through organising a safari trip for tourists but also through Global Connection, or other companies in Tanzania, getting in touch with companies from all over the world. In the meantime the first important contacts have been made and preparations are underway for further developments.
Alongside the business, we would like to fulfil a cultural and social role in the area. We have the idea to support the orphanages in Mto wa Mbu, and create a shelter where we can offer them a safe haven and hopefully employment. Most orphans who stay in these places are AIDS orphans, there parents died of AIDS, and often they are HIV infected themselves as well. We are hoping for local and international support to realise this project and we wish everyone a warm welcome to this beautiful country….
Vast numbers of herd animals, predators and bands of apes coupled with the country’s dedication to preservation make Tanzania the optimal choice for exploration and safaris. Global Connection Safaris offer tailor made and set itinerary safaris that showcase Tanzania's wildlife in unspoilt wilderness and include its diverse cultures.
Global Connection Safaris offer various accommodation options from camping to luxury lodges. Camping safaris range from the budget adventure type where you travel with all your equipment, guide and cook to luxury mobile and permanent tented camps. These luxury camps provide roomy and comfortable tents with full amenities to allow you to relax in style in the African wilderness. Small private lodges are also available on safari, while hotels and resorts are used in towns and on island escapes.
The sight of millions of wildebeest and zebra on migration, the silhouette of elephants on the horizon or the stunning pink of a flock of flamingos make Tanzania a dream safari destination.
Whenever you consider an African safari, Global Connection is home in the African Jungle… We offer scheduled & custom safaris in East Africa with fresh and new ideas….
Imagine endless savannas teeming with millions of wildebeest, towering boulders sprawling with tawny lions, and collapsed volcanoes brimming in mist. Imagine a place completely unaware of civilization where wildlife still reigns supreme. It is hard to believe a place like this still exists, but it does. It is called Tanzania. The first time I experienced this wilderness, it captured my soul. I felt compelled to share this travel experience with others. This passion, this dream was the start of Global Connection Tours & Safaris.
We design our own safaris and run them from our local office in Arusha, Tanzania. All of the guides were born and raised in Tanzania and are trained naturalists, environmentalists and unparalleled game spotters. Tanzania offers more to the discerning African safari enthusiast than any other country on the continent — more land devoted to wildlife conservation, greater concentrations of animals, phenomenal birdlife, pristine wilderness and a fascinating array of tribal cultures.
Driven by passion, Global Connection is growing fast. We now employ over 30 people, all local Tanzanians. We are fully accredited in Tanzania with membership in the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators and the Tanzania Tourist Board. From our personal trip planners in Holland and Tanzania, who design our Africa vacation packages to our gracious staff in Tanzania, the entire Global Connection team aims to provide the finest Africa safari tours in the world. From the moment you sign up with us, you will become one of our family. We've all fallen in love with Tanzania, and we know you will too. We can't wait to take you there!
We know that you have several choices available from which to book your African safari. We believe that we off
