From the sunlit wilds of Tanzania to the spice-scented shores of Zanzibar, Paradise & Wilderness Group has scripted an inspiring tale of growth that a  very few African hospitality entities can match. The origin of this premium, popular and fast-growing hospitality group is rooted in a personal journey of discovery and love for East Africa's natural wonders. Dutch national Bert Schoonvelde and his wife Ana were captivated by both regions' breathtaking landscapes, vibrant cultures, and the unique blend of safari adventure and idyllic beaches.

Seizing the opportunity to offer travellers an authentic, immersive experience, they decided to turn their passion into a business. From its inception in 2010, the group's mission was clear - to share the beauty of East Africa with as many people as possible while creating meaningful opportunities for local communities.

This vision quickly resonated with travellers seeking more than just a vacation. Paradise & Wilderness Group's popularity grew as its success was built on its ability to deliver seamless, end-to-end experiences - from airport transfers and guided safaris to curated excursions and, most importantly, personalised guest services.

Growing portfolio

By 2023, this hospitality powerhouse was already making waves with 21 impressive properties under its management. By 2025, they had expanded their portfolio with six more stunning properties. And the growth momentum doesn’t stop here. With ambitions set high, they plan to add seven more by 2027, including a 450-room property in Zanzibar.

"Our journey has been nothing short of extraordinary," states Niels van Capel, Financial Controller at Paradise & Wilderness Group. "When we launched our first resort, we never imagined that just over a decade later, we would be managing an extensive network of highly sought-after properties, attracting travellers from around the world."

Key drivers leveraged by the group

Paradise & Wilderness Group knows what it is doing. It clearly foresaw and understood the growing demand for authentic, experience-led stays from high-income, eco-conscious travellers from Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Plus, it tapped into the ever-increasing importance of digital/online distribution, capturing more bookings through its brand website and leading OTAs.

When scale demands a new tech platform

As the portfolio expanded, the group encountered a common challenge that every growing hotel group would eventually face - the lack of a modern, enterprise-grade and scalable technology platform to support their growth. In 2023, with 21 properties, they upgraded to Hotelogix's cloud-based multi-property management system. By 2025, all 27 properties were successfully powered by Hotelogix. This strategic technology upgrade empowered them with centralised multi-property management, including OTA distribution, direct bookings, and, most importantly, informed decision-making with group-level reports. Additionally, the group has also achieved e-invoicing compliance as mandated by the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA).

According to Niels van Capel, the best part of Hotelogix is the way it helps the group add new properties. "Hotelogix ensures that new properties go live in just a few days. The system's robustness has given us the confidence to chart our next phase of growth. For example, we are sure that Hotelogix will live up to our expectations when we add our upcoming 450-room property in Zanzibar, a scale that demands technology that won't buckle under complexity."

Paradise & Wilderness Group remains committed to its core mission: building hotels that guests love and want to return to, establishing itself as a leader in African hospitality. And as their technology partner, Hotelogix will continue to play a crucial role in advancing this vision.