Last month, a renewed Singita Serengeti experience emerged when a revitalised Faru Faru Lodge, blinking, stepped into the sun… OK, so that was Simba. But, the new look of Faru Faru is sublime, as we’ve come to expect from this leading safari brand, and right in Africa’s flagship wildlife area, it’s precisely where we imagine the Lion King was born. The exclusive Grumeti concession, forming part of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem observes the annual migration of wildebeest, zebra, and various antelope, and the allure of this special part of Tanzania, and indeed an important wildlife corridor is certainly not overlooked. The changes at Faru Faru highlight the unique value of this natural system, organically celebrating the animals and the landscape in its new architectural design and decor.
From an elevated position on a slope, Faru Faru’s views take centre stage. A river nearby and a waterhole at the foot of the lodge ensure that wildlife is never far away, and just to make sure guests don’t miss a thing, the newly crafted lodge is moulded organically to overlook the main attraction. From the revamped central guest areas, the extensive use of glass panels creates space and light in every indoor location. There is a boldness and creativity about the place, yet every aspect of the design has been brushed with a sleek Scandinavian accent.
Where contemporary African art and locally sourced materials come into play, they combine perfectly with the modernised colour palette, which is described as “back-to-basics” featuring bone, ivory, nude, and clay. Raw stone and rustic wooden dowels feature on wall panels, bringing the appeal of the natural landscape right indoors where it is cherished behind large glass windows and contrasts appealingly with clean-cut floors and fittings.
Each of the nine luxury tented suites are splashed with shades of stone and dressed with timber furniture, textured rugs, and subtle lighting. The unique and artful dome-shaped canopy adorns the bed and envelopes the sleeper in a comfortable, mosquito-proof cocoon. En suite bathrooms are, of course, not excluded from the view and each bathtub enjoys a prime position in front of the elevated window and the view below.
Enclosed dining and lounge areas are an addition to the shared guest space and now offer a place to relax while keeping cool and enjoying front row seats to the outdoor action. Also new to the scene is the interactive kitchen which brings guests closer to the very much worth watching cooking action, and the large stone-set fireplace adds a convivial, cosy environment to the otherwise modern kitchen-come-dining-room setup.
Effortless and elegant, this is one sleek safari spot where every experience is entirely tailored to you. The renovation is all about the functionality of Faru Faru, without losing sight of the warmth and pureness that we’ve to know from our favourite Singita properties.
“This minimalistic approach is less about the space itself and more about how one lives in it, using natural textures and materials to create rich, cosy layers throughout the lodge,” is the way the recreated retreat is described by the team in charge.
It’s clear that Grumeti has never looked so beautiful, except perhaps from Pride Rock.
