The Bush Telegraph of New Lodges Opening in East Africa in 2025
02 October 2024
As the East African safari and beach landscape continues to evolve, 2025 will see the opening of several exciting new lodges. East Africa has long captivated the imaginations of travellers with its vast savannas, majestic wildlife, and rugged, untamed landscapes. These new lodges offer an immersive way to explore with breathtaking scenery. More than just retreats, these new lodges blend seamlessly with their natural surroundings, offering a sense of harmony and tranquility. But their allure goes beyond stunning locations. These new additions to Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zanzibar’s hospitality landscape will offer your client’s a fresh perspective on the African wilderness.
Here are some of the top new lodges poised to redefine your client’s experience in 2025:
TANZANIA
Lemala Osonjoi Lodge, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, opening 15 July
This lodge will offer guests a prime location near the eastern quadrant of the Ngorongoro Crater, providing unparalleled access to one of the continent’s most iconic wildlife regions. The proximity of Osonjoi Lodge to the Ngorongoro Crater offers a distinct advantage for early morning game drives, allowing guests to reach the crater floor in as little as 10-15 minutes.
This is especially valuable for photographers who seek the best light at dawn to capture stunning wildlife shots. Additionally, the lodge offers escorted walks along the crater rim and through the forest with an armed ranger and Maasai guide, providing guests with a more intimate, immersive experience. For those arriving by road, the lodge is conveniently located within a scenic drive from Arusha or nearby safari camps in Tarangire and Manyara National Parks. Guests arriving by air can enjoy the thrill of landing at the Manyara Airstrip, perched high above the escarpment, adding a dramatic start to their adventure.
ENVI Sisini Mara, northern Serengeti, opening February
ENVI Sisini Mara offers a luxurious bush experience with 10 beautifully crafted tents that seamlessly integrate with the natural surroundings. The camp includes a spacious two-bedroom luxury tented suite with a private plunge pool (134 sqm) and nine standard tented suites (55 sqm), each featuring a luxurious bathroom, outdoor bathtub, and large wooden deck, perfect for wildlife viewing.
Designed with natural materials and a color palette that blends into the environment, the tents offer both comfort and privacy. Guests can indulge in a range of amenities, including a gourmet restaurant, a stylish lounge and bar, a library tent, a spa with a treatment room, a gym, and a yoga deck.
ENVI Kili, Arusha, opening October
ENVI Kili, opening in Q4 2025, promises a unique fusion of luxury and nature with its intimate tented camp design and emphasis on fresh, local ingredients. The camp will offer wellness treatments, a yoga deck, and ENVI’s signature barefoot luxury, ensuring a serene and rejuvenating experience. Guests will benefit from a personal adventure concierge, ensuring a tailored and unforgettable stay. The addition of a clubhouse will make ENVI Kili an ideal base in Arusha, perfectly positioned for those embarking on or concluding their safari adventures, with easy access to Tanzania’s diverse landscapes and wildlife.
Simbavati Musabi Plains, central Serengeti, opening May
Simbavati Musabi Plains Lodge offers an exclusive and immersive safari experience, with breathtaking views of the endless Serengeti savannah from its six elegantly designed tents, catering to both couples and families. Located near the Grumeti River, the lodge is perfectly positioned for exceptional wildlife viewing year-round, including sightings of the Big Five and the Great Migration. Guests can enjoy a range of adventures such as daily game drives, guided bush walks, alfresco breakfasts, relaxing spa treatments, and thrilling night safaris. Each suite is crafted for comfort and tranquility, providing panoramic views of the vast plains and ensuring a truly unforgettable stay in the heart of the Serengeti.
Nimali House, Tarangire National Park, opening June
Nimali House, will be located on 10,000 acres of unfenced private land with stunning views over the Maasai Steppe, next to Tarangire National Park. This exclusive-use property, will feature 5 luxurious suites, accommodating 10-12 guests. Each suite offers expansive views and overlooks a waterhole, providing exceptional opportunities for wildlife viewing. Guests will have the entire concession to themselves, enjoying both walking safaris and game drives, which can be explored on the private concession and within the southern reaches of Tarangire National Park. The property will also offer guests the chance to engage with local sustainability and conservation efforts, including a sustainable honey project and anti-poaching initiatives.
TAASA Migration Camp, Serengeti National Park, opening July
TAASA Migration Camp is a mobile camp that is strategically located throughout the year to follow the wildebeest and zebra herds across the vast Serengeti for the Great Migration. Whether guests are interested in experiencing the northern, southern, or western/central corridors, the camp offers the perfect vantage point to witness this spectacular wildlife phenomenon in comfort. For optimal viewing opportunities, TAASA Migration Camp moves to different areas of the Serengeti, operating in Kogatende during the Dry Season from July to October, in Ndutu during the Green Season from December to March, and in Mosabi Plains/Mareu during the Shoulder Season from May to June.
TAASA Migration Camp will offer 12 luxurious tented suites, including configurations for families and groups with two interconnecting tents, ensuring an unmatched connection with nature. Each suite will feature panoramic views of the Serengeti, providing guests with privacy and relaxation after a day filled with thrilling adventures. The in-tent amenities will include en-suite bathrooms with hot water, a versatile seating area, Wi-Fi, as well as laundry and room service, catering to all the comforts of modern living.
Radisson Blu Hotel & Apartments, Dar es Salaam, 2025
Marking its entrance into Tanzania, the Radisson Hotel Group will open a new 138-room hotel in 2025, located within a mixed-use development in the heart of Dar es Salaam’s CBD. This hotel will feature 94 guest rooms and 44 three-bedroom apartments, occupying the top 14 floors of a 33-story tower, making it one of the tallest buildings in the area. It is conveniently situated within walking distance of the ferry terminal to Zanzibar Island.
Guests can enjoy a variety of dining options, including a lobby café, a business class lounge, an all-day dining restaurant, a specialty restaurant, and an outdoor pool with a poolside restaurant. Additional amenities will include retail stores, a ladies’ salon, indoor parking, a gym, steam room and sauna facilities, a kids’ playroom, and eight meeting rooms.
KENYA
&Beyond Suyian Lodge, Suyian Conservancy, opening July
Providing a blend of luxury and wilderness to over 44,000 acres of pristine conservancy, offering exceptional wildlife sightings and cultural interactions with local tribes in Kenya. Nestled in a malaria-free region with diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife, Suyian Conservancy offers a truly exclusive and immersive African bush experience.
Perfect for those seeking a more private, conservation-focused safari, Suyian provides guests with the opportunity to embark on interpretive game drives led by expert &Beyond guides, as well as guided bush walks, camel and horseback safaris, and enriching community visits. A variety of additional activities are available, ensuring a personalized adventure. Conveniently accessible by air or road from Nairobi, Suyian also serves as an ideal gateway for further exploration, including scenic helicopter flights over Mt. Kenya and trips to the stunning Lake Turkana.
Soroi Samburu Lodge, Samburu, opening March
Situated in the rugged landscape of Samburu, Soroi Samburu Lodge will have a breathtaking backdrop of jagged mountains and the tranquil Ewaso Nyiro River, this lodge is set to usher in a new era while retaining the charm that has made it a beloved destination since 1962. Soroi Samburu Lodge boasts the most unique and captivating location within the stunning Samburu National Reserve.
The property will open in phases, with Phase One launching on 1 March, featuring 16 Standard Rooms, 10 inter-connecting Superior Rooms that can be converted into a Two-Bedroom Family Unit, and 1 Three-Bedroom Executive Suite. Phase Two will follow on 1 July, adding another 16 Standard Rooms, 2 additional inter-connecting Superior Rooms (also convertible into a Two-Bedroom Family Unit), and another Three-Bedroom Executive Suite.
ZANZIBAR
Four Seasons Resort, Pongwe, 2025
Four Seasons plans to open a new resort on the ‘Spice Island’ of Zanzibar. Situated along the pristine white sands and turquoise waters of Pongwe, Four Seasons Resort will offer a unique and luxurious retreat for guests, whether your client’s seek to explore the island’s rich cultural heritage or unwind after an exhilarating safari adventure.
The Resort will bring five new original-concept outlets to Zanzibar. With indoor and al-fresco seating options, Four Seasons Resort Zanzibar will feature a signature seafood restaurant inspired by the local fish market, serving the very best “catch of the day” with beachside views, as well as a Levantine grill with specialty wood-fire cuisine. The resort will also offer a Mediterranean all-day dining restaurant, a poolside bar and grill, and lobby lounge and bar for expertly crafted morning coffees and evening beverages.
The Resort will include an expansive oceanfront pool with cabana service, a Kids For All Seasons Program, an array of water sports and excursions to discover the surrounding locale, extensive fitness facilities, dynamic meeting and event space, and a luxuriously-appointed spa featuring five private treatment rooms as well as an outdoor cabana for bespoke open-air spa experiences.
Insider tip: we recommend pairing this with a safari stay at Four Seasons Serengeti Safari Lodge.
Le Méridien Zanzibar Resort, Bwenjuu village on Unquja Island, 2025
The property is designed to meet the increasing demand for premium hospitality and luxury accommodations in Tanzania. By offering world-class amenities and a unique blend of island relaxation with immersive cultural and nature-based experiences, the resort aims to attract discerning travelers seeking high-end retreats in this beautiful East African destination.
The resort will offer 75 modern guest rooms and villas, each providing uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean and its tranquil shoreline. Guests will have access to a variety of luxurious amenities, including a specialty restaurant, an open-air bar, and a range of recreational facilities such as a stunning pool, fitness center, relaxing spa, kids’ club, and even a picturesque lagoon.
Selecting the right property for your client’s East African adventure is crucial to ensuring they have a truly memorable and fulfilling experience. With the new lodges opening in 2025, there are great options, however the expert team at African Safari Excellence makes the destination easy with their first-hand knowledge.
Contact African Safari Excellence to start planning your client’s East Africa experiences.
