Lemala Kuria Hills Complete Renovations
Lemala Camps & Lodges has completed the renovation of Lemala Kuria Hills Lodge in the Serengeti, introducing a new two bedroom family suite, a relocated spa and an expanded main dining tent.
Lemala Kuria Hills Lodge: Recent Property Enhancements
Lemala Kuria Hills Lodge has been undergoing a series of practical upgrades aimed at improving comfort, efficiency and guest flow, while keeping the lodge’s established character and connection to the Northern Serengeti landscape.
What’s Been Updated
Dining Tent The main dining tent has been redesigned and completed. It now offers more indoor space and a better layout, supported by a live cooking station and a new butler station.
The changes improve service flow and give guests a more functional dining environment.
Spa Relocation The spa has moved to a more convenient position within the lodge.
The new location includes updated canvas and shade netting, creating a dedicated wellness space and freeing up the former spa area for additional guest accommodation.
Solar System and Generator Upgrade A new solar system and generator set is being finalised to improve power supply and overall efficiency.
This upgrade supports long‑term sustainability and strengthens the lodge’s operational reliability.
Solar Lighting Solar lighting has replaced kerosene lanterns across the property.
This improves guest comfort and reduces environmental impact.
New Two‑Bedroom Family Unit A new two‑bedroom family unit is now complete.
It follows the style and spirit of Kuria Hills’ existing rooms but with a more modern design, larger interiors and a private plunge pool.
The layout suits families or friends travelling together who want extra space and privacy. Photography is pending.
Maintaining Kuria Hills’ Character
All updates have been designed to enhance the guest experience without changing the lodge’s identity.
Kuria Hills remains defined by its setting among granite boulders and kopjes, its glass‑fronted suites and its access to year‑round wildlife in the Northern Serengeti.
These improvements ensure guests continue to enjoy a comfortable, functional and sustainable stay while the core safari experience — the landscape, the wildlife and the quiet atmosphere — stays exactly as it should.
The Catch from River Nile
The Catch from River Nile - Lemala Wildwaters Lodge, Diederik Vandenhoeke from Africa Beyond Borders, collaborative short film. The Spirit of Lemala
Watch this heartwarming, atmospheric and above all, honest insight into why Lemala properties believe that working with and for the community enhances the experience for our guests.
Huge thanks to Diederik Vandenhoeke from Africa Beyond Borders for the collaboration and for helping bring this beautiful story to life.
Spending time on the pristine waters around Lemala Wildwaters Lodge, following James Wafula as he fishes, is a reminder of just how special this place is – wild, soulful, and deeply connected to the rhythm of the Nile.
As James so perfectly puts it:
“Life is here - at Lemala Wildwaters because it is a place where you feel the cool breeze, the hairs on the skin even seem to dance. It is sheer pleasure.”
And from Diederik himself:
“When a lodge helps the community by the river to make a living, it just feels natural to support them. And when the fisherman smiles, the lodge smiles too.”
Stories like this are why we do what we do and why we commit so fully to the #SpiritOfLemala
Journey Through Lemala: A Fam Trip Experience
Leanne and Laura share their experience from their recent trip to Tanzania on the Spirit of Lemala Fam Trip.
Leanne and Laura recently returned from a fam trip through Tanzania with Lemala Camps & Lodges, and their reflections paint a vivid picture of what makes Lemala so special.
What struck them both the most was the way each property seemed to embody its surroundings.
At Lemala Mara Tented Camp, they were discreetly tucked among Euclea trees with views over the savanna, close to the river crossings yet wonderfully secluded.
Lemala Nanyukie offered a front-row seat to the drama of the kopjes, where lions roam and guests can watch the action unfold from their private deck.
Osonjoi Lodge, enveloped by jungle on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, felt like a retreat from the world while still offering swift access to the crater floor.
And finally, Mpingo Ridge delivered sweeping views across Tarangire from its elevated position.
Their itinerary unfolded like a safari circuit of contrasts.
After a night at Hamerkop House, they began in the Northern Serengeti at Mara Tented Camp, where lions on honeymoon were spotted en route and nights were filled with the sounds of the bush.
Kuria Hills followed, with its stunning lodge design and a bold bull elephant wandering in for breakfast.
Flying south to Seronera, they stayed at Ewanjan Tented Camp, where elephants again made an appearance and evenings were spent around the fire with Amarula, before spotting a serval cat outside the tent.
Nanyukie was a favourite, not only for its beauty but for its wildness, with a lantern-lit bush dinner and the unforgettable sounds of lions and hyenas clashing in the night.
Osonjoi proved worth the anticipation, with alpine-African design, heated pool, and spacious rooms complete with wood-burners. Its location meant guests were first down to the crater floor, where Lemala’s signature hot lunches — champagne, BBQ kebabs, salads, and pudding — were served lakeside under the watchful eye of hippos and lions.
The journey ended at Mpingo Ridge in Tarangire, where vast views and a dawn hot-air balloon ride provided a spectacular finale.
Comparing tented camps to lodges, both agreed each style offered something unique. The tented camps felt raw and immersive, with heightened senses and nights alive with sound, yet still delivered comfort with hot showers, cosy beds, and attentive service. Lodges, by contrast, offered elevated luxury with plunge pools, spas, fireplaces, and expansive communal areas. Choosing a favourite proved impossible; both styles delivered consistent service and unforgettable experiences, with tented camps offering authenticity and lodges providing added comfort.
Highlights were hard to single out. The trip was a culmination of experiences — elephants wandering into camp, lions hunting under the stars, African thunderstorms, balloon rides, and the sheer scale of Tanzania itself. The Serengeti’s vastness, the unique ecosystem of the Ngorongoro Crater, and the contrasting landscapes of Tarangire all left lasting impressions.
What tied it all together was the Lemala team. Guides, managers, and staff embodied the motto Wewe na Sisi Pamoja — You and Us Together. Their passion for wildlife and pride in their work shone through in every interaction, making guests feel instantly welcome.
For trade partners and clients, Lemala’s strengths are clear: consistency across properties, spacious rooms, a mix of tented and lodge options at different price points, unique access to the crater, and remote locations that avoid the busiest safari routes. As one colleague summed it up, the trip was an all-rounder — people, cultures, lodges, camps, wildlife, landscapes, and storms — all woven together into an unforgettable journey.
