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The circular forms prevalent throughout Grumeti are enhanced by the banana fibre-clad discs set into the dining and lounge area’s ceilings. Banana fibre is commonly used in the area, but the inverted conical spheres, designed by lead architect Jack Alexander, give this traditional material a contemporary twist. The shape repeats itself to unite with the boma and spherical rim-flow pool at the other end of the main communal space. The Duzu dining chairs are by Homewood. -
The circular forms prevalent throughout Grumeti are enhanced by the banana fibre-clad discs set into the dining and lounge area’s ceilings. Banana fibre is commonly used in the area, but the inverted conical spheres, designed by lead architect Jack Alexander, give this traditional material a contemporary twist. The shape repeats itself to unite with the boma and spherical rim-flow pool at the other end of the main communal space. The Duzu dining chairs are by Homewood. -
&Beyond’s new African-chic Grumeti Serengeti River Lodge is perfectly situated on the banks of a tributary of the famous Grumeti River in the secluded western part of the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, and is home to resident pods of entertainingly happy hippos. The lodge’s distinctive design circles subtly blend in with the natural materials of the surrounding riverine forest. -
The spacious guest cottages have beds with easy-to- deploy mosquito netting, as well as stacking doors that open fully to a private deck. All suites face west to make the most of the spectacular African sunsets. Fox Browne Creative designed the chandeliers as a reinterpretation of the Maasai necklace, using Kitenge fabric for the strands and handblown glass baubles as a nod to the beads. -
The spacious guest cottages have beds with easy-to- deploy mosquito netting, as well as stacking doors that open fully to a private deck. All suites face west to make the most of the spectacular African sunsets. Fox Browne Creative designed the chandeliers as a reinterpretation of the Maasai necklace, using Kitenge fabric for the strands and handblown glass baubles as a nod to the beads. -
Each palatial bathroom features delicate handblown recycled-glass basins by local social enterprise Shanga, supported on wooden vanities by South African interior design studio Umdabu. The bathtub is encased in a protective woven cradle, while the sliding doors allow the breeze to flow through for an indoor/outdoor spa-like experience. The tall steel- and-stone “giraffe” table in the shower is a Fox Browne Creative design. -
Each cottage suite has its own private deck, an outside lounge area with Fox Browne Creative-designed furniture, and a rim-flow plunge pool overlooking the hippo haven, which also attracts a variety of other animals. -
The traditional boma – a hub of night-time dining – is the place to enjoy traditional over-the-fire cooking, as well as simple artisanal pizzas and salt-baked whole fish, which pays homage to the region’s Great Lakes. -
In this pristine wilderness with no light pollution, guests can revel in a nightly display of twinkling stars. By using canvas structures and not glazing the rooms, the architects from Fox Browne Creative have ensured that guests experience a real connection with their natural surroundings. -
The circular forms prevalent throughout Grumeti are enhanced by the banana fibre-clad discs set into the dining and lounge area’s ceilings. Banana fibre is commonly used in the area, but the inverted conical spheres, designed by lead architect Jack Alexander, give this traditional material a contemporary twist. The shape repeats itself to unite with the boma and spherical rim-flow pool at the other end of the main communal space. The Duzu dining chairs are by Homewood.
WORDS Leana Clunies-Ross PHOTOS Dook
&Beyond Grumeti Serengeti River Lodge gets a chic modern redesign, celebrating colour, culture, art, design, natural materials and Serengeti charm.
It’s a tranquil setting that contradicts an annual drama. A short walk down a gravel path through a gap in the thick bush opens up to an extensive oxbow lake, seasonally fed by the Grumeti River. Here you’ll find &Beyond Grumeti Serengeti River Lodge’s expansive guest pavilion, and a deck that overlooks the large pods of resident hippos in the water below. It’s a beautiful, peaceful scene… for now: these waters also play host to one of the animal kingdom’s legendary spectacles – the great migration – as massive herds of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle begin their trek across the vast Serengeti plains towards Kenya’s Maasai Mara. The Grumeti is the first major river crossing. Tucked away in its riverine forest, the lodge’s pavilion and 10 luxury guest suites follow the natural curves and flow of the river. The circular form of the Maasai necklace and the vibrant colours of the region inspired Fox Browne Creative’s Chris Browne to meet the brief of creating an ambience of rustic, elegant, authentic luxury for the camp. Circular form is the dominant design theme, with banana fibre-clad discs in the pavilion’s dining and lounge area ceilings, the shape repeating itself to unite with the boma and spherical rim-flow pool at the other end of the communal space. Still in its original position, the traditional boma remains the hero of night-time dining under the stars.
The circular theme continues in the private guest areas,inspired by traditional Maasai Manyatta homesteads in which homes surround a cattle enclosure. With a directive to re-interpret the safari tent, lead architect Jack Alexander, in partnership with Fox Browne Creative, designed a contemporary lightweight steel frame for the rooms. Made off-site for easy transport and assembled on location, the structures were then clad in classic canvas and local hardwood to provide richness and texture.
READ MORE: Zambian Lodge by Fox Brown Creative
Thanks to the absence of concrete as a material, the buildings have a lightness, appearing to float over the landscape and blend into their surroundings. With a sustainable life cycle in mind, upcycling and repurposing were integral to the design process and construction approach, and included reusing the previous structures’ foundations and floor platforms, as well as their building materials, which were also recycled.
Decorated in soft African pastels, each suite is a sanctuary, fully immersed in the wilderness. Rather than employing glazing, canvas structures soften the barrier between the tent’s occupants and nature, connecting them directly with the Serengeti. It’s an impression accentuated by a bathtub elegantly nestled in a protective woven cradle, as well as the breeze that flows through the indoor/outdoor shower.
READ MORE: Gujarati Lodge
Fox Browne Creative’s vision was also to feature African artisans. As a result, delicate handblown recycled-glass basins by local social enterprise Shanga are complemented by wooden vanities courtesy of South Africa’s Umdabu, and oversized round mirrors by Arkivio that reflect views of the river, forest, and the abundant birds and animals. The profusion of wildlife is also on show from the spacious deck, with its plunge pool a luxurious respite on hot afternoons. Cocktail in hand and cooled by an afternoon swim, there’s no better place to witness the Great Migration gain momentum as thousands upon thousands of animals cross the Grumeti on their incredible journey.
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