If you appreciate architecture, interiors, and atmosphere, a safari can offer so much more than just wildlife. It becomes a design experience, where the setting changes from city materials to canvas and stone, and thoughtful architecture blends with Africa’s natural beauty.
Your design-conscious eye seeks spaces that do more than simply provide shelter. You look for lodges that frame the horizon like a living gallery, interiors that breathe natural light, and materials that tell a story of place. You appreciate when sustainability becomes style, when local craftsmanship elevates every detail, and when a camp feels less like an intrusion and more like a natural extension of the landscape.
If this is you, Asilia has you covered. Our camps and lodges are shaped by the land’s features, colours, and culture. Our properties offer you thoughtful beauty, luxury that isn’t overdone, and spaces where architecture and nature work in harmony.
What Makes Asilia’s Design Philosophy Unique
Asilia’s design approach is based on restraint and respect. Instead of building large structures on delicate lands, our camps are made to fit in – architecturally, culturally, and ecologically. This philosophy shows up in several unique ways:
Every project starts with an eco-friendly building. Materials are chosen responsibly, structures are gentle on the land, and designs aim to have a small environmental impact while still looking beautiful.
Local artisans and materials make each space feel real. Tanzanian thatch, Kenyan stone, native hardwoods – everything combines to create authentic interiors.
Our camps are designed to fit the landscape. Their location is carefully considered in areas that will benefit from the protection that tourism can provide, and they are positioned to showcase incredible views. The line between indoors and outdoors is intentionally blurred to welcome in natural air and light.
Luxury here is subtle. Linen, leather, aged wood, and burnished metals offer a luxury from the land, enhanced by good design and skilled work.
The look and feel of each space help guests feel connected. Colour palettes reflect the hues of the earth and sky; the land itself inspires silhouettes; and design details nod to local traditions. The result? A sense of calm, belonging, and a deeper bond with East Africa.
Jabali Ridge
– Sculptural Drama in Ruaha’s Wilderness
From its perch on a dramatic rocky outcrop overlooking Tanzania’s Ruaha National Park, Jabali Ridge is architectural theatre. This is Asilia’s bold answer to the question: what happens when contemporary design meets untamed wilderness?
The design here is boldly modern – clean lines, large windows, and overhanging structures stand out among the old baobabs and wide views. Still, the camp feels warm and connected, thanks to the warm wood and stone that tie it to the surrounding landscape.
The simple, elegant design celebrates a clean aesthetic with sleek modern furniture, lighting inspired by local crafts, and earth-toned fabrics that match the surroundings. The infinity swimming pool, surrounded by natural rock, seems to float above the wilderness, creating a peaceful spot for an afternoon drink.
Asilia experiences: Walking safaris showcase Ruaha’s amazing wildlife, and game drives take you through one of East Africa’s largest and least-visited parks.
Sayari Camp
– Minimalism in the Northern Serengeti
In the remote northern Serengeti, where the wildebeest migration hurtles across rivers, Sayari Camp offers a new take on minimalism. Here, simplicity feels warm and inviting.
The design here is all about restraint. Sayari keeps only what is beautiful or useful, resulting in a camp that feels both uncluttered and elegant.
Architecturally, the camp embraces organic curves that mirror the gentle roll of the Serengeti plains. Suites are earth-toned, almost appearing to grow from the landscape rather than placed upon it. Natural materials dominate: canvas catches the breeze, and timber frames the spectacular views.
Inside, the style is simple and peaceful. Cream, sand, and soft grey shades make the rooms feel calm, reflecting the changing light throughout the day. A throughflow marks the public areas of the camp, allowing the breeze and sounds of nature to move unobstructed through the structure.
Asilia experiences: Easy access to the dramatic Mara River crossings during migration season, hot air balloon safaris at dawn, and intimate game drives in one of the Serengeti’s wildest corners.
The Highlands
– Architectural Icon in the Crater Highlands
At 2600 meters above sea level, The Highlands is Asilia’s boldest design. Its dome-shaped buildings look futuristic but fit perfectly in Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
The design is inspired by the traditional Maasai boma but with a uniquely modern look. Eight geodesic domes emerge from the forested hillside, offering a stylish, self-contained cocoon with an almost 360-degree view of this undulating landscape.
The materials are kept simple so that the landscape stands out, but cosy enough to stave off the chill that can settle in at this altitude. Deep wooden tones, wood-burning stoves, and luxurious fabrics add to the warmth, while thick carpets, fabrics and art bring in some of the local culture.
This is one of Asilia’s most creative projects.
Asilia experiences: Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for game drives in this natural amphitheatre, cultural visit to Maasai communities, and guided walks through the forested highlands.
Namiri Plains
– Volcanic Modernism in the Serengeti
On the remote eastern plains of the Serengeti, where cheetahs roam across vast grasslands, and few visitors venture, Namiri Plains offers a design that’s both contemporary and deeply rooted in the history of this land.
The style here is best described as refined safari modernism – simple and clean, but still reflective of rich local culture. Architecturally, Namiri embraces classic tented safari camp elements but executes these with exceptional craftsmanship and superior materials.
The palette is inspired by the land – sand, stone, and touches of colour taken from the local vegetation. Understated sophistication exhibits itself in the freestanding outdoor bathtubs, deep library armchairs, and private verandas.
The plains of the Serengeti owe their lush grasslands to the rich soil resulting from ancient volcanic activity. This heritage is reflected in the calcrete stone, found only in this area, used to create interiors – look closely for some fossilised surprises.
Asilia experiences: Unrivalled cheetah viewing in one of the Serengeti’s most exclusive concessions, game drives across open plains teeming with predators, and the profound satisfaction of contributing to conservation success.
Rekero Camp
– Intimate Elegance in the Maasai Mara
In Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve, along the Talek River where wildlife congregates, Rekero Camp offers an intimate interpretation of classic safari luxury.
The design here focuses on personal feel. With only nine tents, the camp stays small, modest, and welcoming, creating a truly intimate atmosphere.
Canvas structures, wood detailing, and polished brass offer a sophisticated neutral palette punctuated by local textiles. Private verandas are one of Rekero’s best features. Set to make the most of the river views, these outdoor spaces are like comfy living rooms.
Rekero embraces intimacy. While many lodges aim for more guests, this camp focuses on attention to detail, quiet moments to yourself, and wildlife excitement.
Asilia experiences: Game drives through the Mara’s legendary big cat territory, sundowners overlooking the sweeping plains, and the possibility of witnessing river crossings during the migration.
Erebero Hills
– Architectural Elegance in Bwindi
Perched on the northern edge of Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Erebero Hills represents Asilia’s expansion into gorilla trekking territory. Opening in 2026, this lodge takes its name from the local phrase meaning “a place where you can see far” – an apt description of the sweeping forest vistas that define the property.
The design is inspired by the rolling hills around the lodge, with rooftops layered to match the mountain landscape. Architecturally, Erebero Hills embraces elevation and transparency. The suites will feature expansive glass frontages to flood interiors with natural light, with the view being the star of the show.
Connected walkways minimise land impact and enhance the feeling of immersion in the forest. Sustainably sourced building materials, like bamboo, are paired with locally inspired furnishings to celebrate local culture and artisans.
Erebero Hills stands out for design-focused travellers because it combines modern style with environmental care. The lodge is leading a 45-acre reforestation project, creating a buffer zone for the Batwa people and supporting local jobs. Here, design is about more than looks – it also supports conservation and culture.
Asilia experiences: Soul-stirring gorilla trekking encounters in the depths of Bwindi Forest, cultural visits to local communities, and contributing to meaningful conservation and reforestation efforts.
Choosing the Most Stylish Safari Lodge for You
Selecting your ideal design-focused safari camp depends on your aesthetic preferences and the experience you’re seeking. Here’s a quick guide to help you choose:
For serene minimalism and meditative simplicity, Sayari Camp offers simple elegance in the northern Serengeti, where less is so much more, and the landscape takes centre stage.
For iconic, experimental architecture: The Highlands delivers geodesic domes in the misty Ngorongoro highlands – Asilia’s most distinctive design statement.
For refined modernism: Namiri Plains balances classic safari tradition with contemporary sophistication on the remote eastern Serengeti.
For intimate, personable elegance: Rekero Camp offers personal connection and timeless style, executed with exceptional taste in the Maasai Mara.
For inspired eco-architecture and conservation, Erebero Hills will combine innovative design infused with elements of nature to create a contemporary aesthetic that is both visually pleasing aesthetic and sustainable.
Ready to Safari in Style?
For travellers who care about design, the look and feel of your safari lodge can shape your whole trip. Asilia’s lodges and camps show that good design doesn’t detract from the wild experience – when done right, each enhances the other.
Your next safari awaits – one where every element has been considered and every material chosen with purpose. At our camps, the boundary between architecture and wilderness dissolves, creating something extraordinary. Begin planning your East African adventure with us to discover why Asilia’s camps consistently rank among the continent’s most beautiful.
