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Bilila Lodge Kempinski will open in June 2009 bringing a new level of luxury to the Serengeti National Park, one of Tanzania’s UNESCO World Heritage sites and one of the world’s most romantic holiday destinations, renowned for its awe-inspiring natural beauty and the annual migration of the wildebeest.
With just 74 rooms (including two private villas), Bilila Lodge Kempinski perfectly combines the intimacy of a lodge and the facilities expected of a much larger hotel, such as an infinity pool overlooking the grasslands and an Anantara Spa, both perfect spots for relaxing after a morning’s game drive.
Working with the Serengeti National Park authorities and government planning department, Bilila Lodge Kempinski has been blended seamlessly into the surrounding landscape; the arc-shaped hotel follows the natural contours of the land and – as far as possible – has been constructed using only local materials. For example, over a million traditional “chelewa” brooms have been used to create the thatched roof and the stone for the walls was sourced from nearby Mugumu.
Inside, South African-based agency Jacket Interiors has created a simple yet luxurious style that merely serves to enhance the outstanding natural beauty of the hotel’s stunning setting. A predominantly neutral palette has been used, reflecting the colours of the African landscape, but colourful accents are provided by indigenous works of art.
Public areas include a restaurant with an open kitchen serving a mix of African and international cuisine, a lounge, a bar, a wine cellar, an authentic boma (or corral) where guests can enjoy moonlit barbecues, a library, a play room, a fitness centre, an art gallery and a gift shop. All the guest rooms have luxury ensuite bathrooms, multimedia DVD players, over 50 satellite TV and radio channels and a teak deck for relaxing while watching game (personal telescope included); suites have their own private plunge pools.
But it’s the experiences that set Bilila Lodge Kempinski apart: Champagne breakfast can be arranged for guests in the bush as the sun rises and the grasslands turn from blue to gold; the hotel’s knowledgeable rangers will take visitors on game drives through the untouched areas of the Serengeti reserved for Bilila; and afternoons can be spent lazing by the swimming pool watching the elephants feed on acacia bark while gazelles gather round the nearby waterhole. All of these unforgettable encounters will provide life-long memories, whether guests are on honeymoon, celebrating a special anniversary or simply enjoying an annual holiday.
And while Bilila Lodge Kempinski is a destination in its own right, it can also be twinned with its sister property Zamani Zanzibar Kempinski for an idyllic two-centre holiday, combining the very best in safari and beach that Africa has to offer.
“Whether people speak English or Russian, Swahili or German, they’ll stand there, speechless, and take their neighbour by the hand when, for the first time in their lives, they watch on as twenty thousand zebras and hundred thousands of wildebeests trek across the endless plains.” Serengeti Shall Not Die, filmed in 1959.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
