In preparation for the new season, we have carried out a series of interior refurbishments at a selection of our camps to keep them fresh and inspired. These improvements are part of our ongoing journey as we continually strive to refine our offering and consistently improve our guest experience.
Each season, our in-country management teams spend time evaluating camp hardware, from canvas exteriors and decking to the quality of lighting and the ageing of interiors. Each camp has an existing style guide, created to deliver a consistent theme throughout the camp. After evaluating what needs to be changed for the new season, the team then decides if the existing theme is still current and should be followed, or if the refurb presents the opportunity to create a new or fresher look and feel for the camp.
For the start of the 2025 season, five camps were selected to receive focussed attention. These were Sayari Camp and Olakira Migration Camp, both in the Serengeti, Oliver’s Camp in Tarangire National Park, Roho ya Selous in the wetlands of Nyerere National Park, and Jabali Ridge, our Reserve Tier property in Ruaha National Park. For each of the camps, our approach was slightly different.
Sayari Camp
Holding a prime location in close proximity to the Mara River, Sayari Camp pioneered the Kogatende area of the northern Serengeti as one of the first permanent camps at a time when poaching was still rife outside of high season. Today, Sayari continues to push the envelope, offering a stylish and exclusive safari experience in one of East Africa’s prime wildlife environments.
For Sayari, this refurbishment was not a major redesign of interiors or an overhaul of the look and feel of the camp. Instead, it was an opportunity to enhance the quality of the room interiors, replacing tired pieces with new varieties in an elevated quality. The suites at Sayari all received new comfortable chairs from which to enjoy a morning coffee or a quiet moment with a book in the early afternoon. Textured carpets have been replaced, cutting through the strong wooden features of the suites and drawing the eye to the detail. In the en suite bathrooms, the free-standing bathtub and accompanying pedestal have been replaced throughout all suites, ensuring an immaculately white tub awaits your bathtime indulgence.
While the addition of a new bench at the foot of the bed, or replacing a tired bathtub may seem like a small change to make, it is the constant attention to these details that allows Sayari Camp to consistently raise the bar in levels of service and quality.
Olakira Migration Camp
Two years ago, a new design direction was established for Olakira Migration Camp, inspired by the meaning of Olakira – “Shining Star”. The concept revolves around natural colours, accented with greens and the use of copper tones, creating a warm and radiant space. The main areas of the camp – the lounge and dining rooms – had previously received this refreshed look, so it was now turn for the guest tents to be brought up to speed. The enhancements were aimed at making the rooms feel more comfortable, improving the way you feel held by the space, while also introducing the brightness and richness of the main area palette.
Though the in-room touch was relatively light, the addition of accents in copper and green have added vibrancy and cohesion to the interiors. Simple changes to lamp shades and side tables allowed for the introduction of warming copper tones, while bed throws and scatter cushions in soft greens carry the earthy undertones reflected throughout the main areas. It’s a small change that has been made to the guest tents, but it ensures a seamless, elevated experience throughout the camp.
The new season also sees the introduction of “The Boma”. An outdoor dining area, enclosed in a traditional wooden fence typically used by nomadic herders to keep their livestock safe at night from predators, lantern lit and complete with a fire pit. For warm evenings under starry skies, The Boma provides a unique outdoor dining experience overlooking the plains of the Serengeti.
Oliver’s Camp
In the far southern reaches of Tarangire National Park, close to the permanent water source of the Silale Swamp, lies Oliver’s Camp. One of the first camps to operate in Tarangire, it was opened by Paul Oliver in 1992. While the appearance of the camp has changed significantly over the years, the wild and pioneering spirit has been retained to this day, providing an authentic and immersive safari experience.
At Oliver’s, the focus was on light-touch refinements – just enough to preserve its authentic safari charm without altering its traditional feel. Guest tents received new natural-fibre carpets for a more organic feel and a textured experience underfoot, and lighting in the rooms was upgraded to enhance the ambiance and warmth. Outside, all the wooden decks have been sanded down to remove the dark weathered appearance, introducing a light and fresh tone to the exterior environment of the camp. Below the swimming pool, a watering hole has been introduced, attracting a variety of wildlife throughout the day and making the swimming pool the most comfortable game viewing location on offer.
Roho ya Selous
Meaning heart or soul of the Selous, Roho ya Selous was named due its strategic location in the core wildlife viewing area of what is now known as Nyerere National Park. On the banks of Lake Nzerakera, the camp enjoys frequent wildlife sightings as animals come to the water’s edge to quench their thirst. Hippo, elephant, and giraffe are regular visitors, alongside an assortment of plains game and the occasional predator. Roho ya Selous offers a diverse and layered safari experience, incorporating both land and water-based activities, within the wild and remote reaches of this southern Tanzania wilderness.
For the start of the season, Roho received a refresh of both colour and texture throughout guest tents and main areas. Guest tents have been enhanced with striking cushions which bring a richness of tone and a unique texture into the living space. Woven lampshades on the bedside lights introduce another layer of visual feel, amplifying the effect through the patterns they create at night. Throughout the shared lounge area, new cushions have been added to the furniture, reinforcing the earthy tones of the camp and introducing additional layers of texture. The use of recycled glass in candle holders and table-top ornaments pairs with the enhanced textures of the cushions, developing layers and creating a tactile and sensory environment which is both stimulating and welcoming.
Jabali Ridge
Ruaha is a vast wilderness of ancient baobabs, seasonal rivers, and rocky outcrops. This ruggedly beautiful national park holds prolific wildlife, yet draws a fraction of the visitors the northern parks of Tanzania experience, creating a sense of near-exclusivity seldom experienced in such a game rich environment. One of the best walking safari destinations in Africa, the park boasts enormous herds of both elephant and buffalo, as well as mega-prides of lion that tackle big game through their sheer force of numbers. The safari experience of Ruaha is one of true African wilderness that develops a sense of closeness to the wild like few other destinations can.
Jabali Ridge and Private House is one of only three Reserve Tier properties within our Tanzania portfolio. There is an emphasis on detail, the highest quality of service and hosting, and a level of attention paid to the full guest experience that surpasses expectations. For the new season, Jabali Ridge received a full interior refurb of both guest suites and main areas. Suites received an overhauled colour palette, featuring rich and earthy colour tones with a warm yet rugged feel, reflecting the landscape of the park. Cushions, throws, duvet covers, light fittings, and decorations were all replaced to reflect the new interiors and breathe fresh life into the layers of detail Jabali Ridge holds.
Similarly, Jabali Private House received an interior refresh to align it with the offering of our exclusive Retreats, found at Sayari and Namiri Plains. Ideal for a family or small group, Jabali Private House offers exclusivity and flexibility for a safari experience tailored around your moods and desires. The main areas of Jabali Ridge received the same refurbishment as the guest suites, refreshing the interiors and drawing inspiration from the juxtaposition of Ruaha’s seasons – from earthy dusty tones to vibrant pops of colour. As the new season gets fully underway, Jabali Ridge stands proud as Ruaha’s flagship safari camp.
From small touches to sweeping updates, our refreshed interiors are ready to welcome you. Whether it’s the tactile richness of new cushions, a freshly polished deck underfoot, or the glow of lanterns in a boma under starlit skies — every change is made with our guests in mind. As the new season unfolds, we look forward to welcoming old friends and new into the Asilia family.
Contact us today to start planning your ultimate East Africa safari.
