Every journey has a beginning. Ours began long before there were guest rooms, gardens, or travellers from around the world. It began on Charles' ancestral land in Moshi, Tanzania, at the foot of the magnificent Mount Kilimanjaro. This land has been part of our family's story for generations, and today it is home to Shose Retreat Centre—a proudly family-owned business built on heritage, hospitality, and a deep respect for nature.

We are Charles and Benadeta, and this is our story.

Shose Retreat Centre is more than a destination. It is our family home, our heritage, and the fulfilment of a dream to share the beauty of this special place with others while preserving the legacy of those who came before us.

This beautiful land first became home when Charles' parents, Aquiline Kitutu Makoi and Shose Marehe Masuki, settled here and raised their five children. Surrounded by fertile soil, fresh mountain air, and the rich traditions of the Chagga people, they built more than a home—they built a legacy. Here, Charles learned the values that continue to guide our family today: hard work, resilience, humility, compassion, integrity, and the joy of welcoming others.

When Charles' father, Aquiline, passed away in 1958, his mother, Shose, became the heart of the family. With extraordinary courage and determination, she raised five children while caring for the family's land. Her strength, kindness, and unwavering love transformed this place into a home where everyone felt welcome. Her spirit continues to inspire everything we do.

Long before Shose Retreat was created, Charles discovered his passion for hospitality. In 2005, he founded Hotel Aquiline in Arusha, naming it after his late father as a lasting tribute to the values of hard work, humility, and perseverance that shaped his life.

When we met, we realised we shared the same vision.

We didn't want to create just another hotel. We wanted to create a place where visitors could experience the true spirit of northern Tanzania—a place where people could slow down, breathe the fresh mountain air, reconnect with nature, discover local culture, and experience genuine Tanzanian hospitality.

That vision brought us back to Charles' ancestral land in Moshi.

Together, we transformed our family homestead into Shose Retreat Centre, naming it in honour of Charles' beloved mother, Shose. Today, both of Charles' parents are remembered through our family's journey: Aquiline through Hotel Aquiline and Shose through Shose Retreat Centre.

One of the first things our guests notice is the lush banana grove that surrounds the retreat. This is no coincidence.

For the Chagga people, bananas are far more than a crop—they are a way of life. For generations, banana farms have been the heart of every Chagga homestead, symbolising prosperity, family, and abundance. Bananas provide daily nourishment, livestock feed, natural shade, and the ingredients for traditional dishes and the famous banana beer shared during weddings, celebrations, and community gatherings. A thriving banana grove has always been a sign of a healthy home and a strong family.

That is why our farm is filled with banana trees today. They connect us to our ancestors and remind us of the generations who cared for this land before us. As our guests walk beneath their broad green leaves, they are not simply exploring a garden—they are experiencing a living piece of Chagga heritage.

Nature is at the heart of everything we offer.

Wake up to birdsong and breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Wander through our gardens and working farm. Taste seasonal fruits picked straight from the trees. Enjoy farm-to-table meals prepared with fresh local ingredients. Meet our community, learn about our traditions, and experience the peaceful rhythm of life that has shaped our family for generations.

We believe that the most memorable journeys are those that connect people—not only to beautiful places, but also to the stories, culture, and people who call those places home.

As our vision continued to grow, so did our family's journey.

Together, we created BECH Serengeti Luxury Camp, located in the heart of the world-renowned Serengeti National Park. While each of our destinations offers its own unique experience, they all share the same values: authentic hospitality, personalised service, respect for nature, and the belief that every guest should be welcomed as family.

Across everything we do, sustainability remains at the heart of our mission. We see ourselves not simply as owners of this land but as its caretakers. We are committed to protecting the environment, supporting local communities, celebrating Tanzanian culture, and preserving these extraordinary places for generations to come.

Today, our family's story continues through three destinations:

• Hotel Aquiline in Arusha, honouring Charles' father, Aquiline.

• Shose Retreat Centre in Moshi, built on Charles' ancestral land and named in honour of his mother, Shose.

• BECH Serengeti Luxury Camp, carrying our family's passion for exceptional hospitality into one of Africa's most spectacular wildernesses.

Together, these destinations are more than places to stay. They are living expressions of our family's journey, our parents' legacy, and our belief that hospitality begins with making people feel at home.

When you visit Shose Retreat Centre, you are not simply booking a stay. You are stepping onto our family's ancestral land, sharing in our heritage, experiencing the beauty of nature through our eyes, and becoming part of a story that has been unfolding for generations.

From our family to yours, welcome home.