A presidential holiday at Tanzania’s ‘Camp David’

By Martin Mutua

The Bilila Lodge Kempinski, situated at the migration path for the wildebeests within the Serengeti National Park, is certainly set to become one of Africa’s dream hideaways. Reto Wittwer, the president of Kempinski hotels, requested Tanzania President Jakaya Kikwete to make Bilila Lodge the ‘Camp David’ of Tanzania, which the head of state can use for his annual holidays.

Wittwer said the Kempinski hotels, which were started in 1987, have 61 hotels in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Brazil, China, America, Hong Kong, Japan, UK, Sweden, Switzerland and France, among other countries.

The multi-billion lodge was officially opened recently by President Kikwete and is one of the best and unique Kempinski hotels in Africa. It has five presidential suites and a bed capacity of 160 guests. All its 75 rooms and villas are spacious and decorated with handpicked Tanzania artworks and richly textured materials from all over Africa.

Some of the rooms of the hotel. The presidential suite is at the far end.

South African born Francois Theron, the architect of the hotel, says its design is in such a manner the park and hotel "dance together" while the trees and the lodge "hug each other".

The sliding glass doors in each room lead one to a balcony with a cosy seating area from where one can view the game with the use of a telescope provided by the hotel. Bilila Lodge offers spectacular views of wildlife roaming miles away in the bush, an active waterhole and the magical sunsets.

Perfect balance

Between exciting safaris facilitated by the lodge, one can relax at the infinity pool, browse in the library, taste the best of African and international cuisines, rejuvenate at the Anantara Spa or simply enjoy a cocktail at the lounge while basking in the sun and viewing game gathering on the open plain in the cool of the evening.

The lodge is a perfect balance between contemporary style, luxury and wilderness experience. It offers a unique destination for ideal romantic gateways, unforgettable honeymoon, unique relaxation and exclusive corporate events.

Serengeti is Tanzania’s most famous national park and the largest protected area. It borders Kenya’s Masai Mara. Its far-reaching plains of endless grass, tinged with the twisted shadows of acacia trees, have made it the quintessential image of a wild and untarnished Africa.

Large prides of lions laze easily in the long grasses while plentiful families of elephants feed on acacia bark and trump to each other across the plains. Giraffes, gazelles, monkeys, eland and the whole range of African wildlife are in awe-inspiring numbers. The Grumeti River in the western corridor is the location for the dramatic river crossing during the great annual wildebeests migration.

Kikwete described the opening of the lodge as another milestone in the Tanzania, adding that Bilila Lodge is one of the best hotels in the world. He noted he was impressed with the spectacular acumen in its architectural work.

Qualified personnel

"I have a big passion for wildlife. That is why I have visited all the national parks in Tanzania," said the soft spoken and down to earth president. He usually spends his short holidays in game parks.

"I have even infected my children and I have no regrets for that," Kikwete told a group of invited guests who included Winnie Wangui, the daughter of political activist Mary Wambui. "Bilila Lodge has now placed Tanzania on the world map," he said.

Serengeti covers 15,000 square kilometres and has four hotels and seven campsites. It can accommodate 10 more hotels, according to a study done by an international agency. However, Kikwete is opposed to adding more hotels in the park, arguing it is bound to compromise its quality.

The head of state acknowledges that Tanzania suffers a shortage of qualified personnel to work in the hotel industry. He appealed for streamlining of the training of workers in the tourism sector.

"I know there has been a lot of noise from the locals but I have told the Minister for Tourism to plug his ears and ensure people get proper training in order for us to meet the standards. We shall become friends again after two years," he said.

The tourism industry in Tanzania accounts for 25 per cent of its foreign earnings. Plans are underway to modernise its airports and airstrips to meet international standards.