On 11 September 2023, the groundbreaking for the Kempinski Longosa Lodge was held in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.
The project is by Helios Lodges Company Ltd, a subsidiary of Terra Way Investment Group, incorporated in Tanzania in 2018 to invest in the development of tourism and hospitality in Tanzania’s four national parks that form the so-called Northern Circuit. The exclusivity of the product will be guaranteed through a management agreement with one of the most famous hotel groups, Kempinski S. A. Kempinski Longosa Lodge Serengeti is due to open in the active season of 2025 with a capacity of 150 beds.
The groundbreaking at Serengeti National Park was attended by, in addition to Helios Lodges representatives, Theresa Mugobi, Director of Tourism at Tanzania’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, officials from TANAPA (Tanzania National Parks Authority), and the Chief Operating Officer of Kempinski S.A. Timur Senturk, the Chief Architect of Kempinski S.A. Jean Yves Renouf, guests and journalists.
Here is how the most prestigious local publication The Citizen covered the event:
Arusha. Another luxury village is under construction within the impressive Serengeti National Park. The facility will add more rooms for the high-end tourists who have been flocking to the park lately. The Kempinski Longosa Lodge, which will cost $32 million to build, is scheduled to open for the active tourist season in mid-2025. The groundbreaking for the five-star hotel took place in Lobo, at the northern end of the world- famous park. The afternoon event was graced with a rare downpour in the middle of the dry season, which greatly excited those in attendance.
“The Serengeti cannot be compared to any other place in the world,” William Mwakilema, Commissioner for Conservation at Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA), said at the event. He said the vast park, which attracts the most visitors compared to all others, urgently needs additional accommodation capacity. He added: “We are very happy that Kempinski S.A. will be the operator of the facility. We will do everything possible to see the project through to completion.” Mr. Mwakilema recalled that the project was started in 2019 but had to be temporarily suspended the following year 2020 due to the outbreak of the Kovid-19 pandemic. The multi-million dollar site is owned by Helios Lodges Company Limited, whose investors are from Bulgaria.
“It will be a wonderful site that will fit in perfectly with the environment,” said Mr Valentin Zlatev, owner of Helios Lodges Company. "It (the hotel) will offer country-specific tourism deals. We are amazed at the efforts Tanzania is making to promote tourism,” he added. The high-category structure, which will be built on a scenic hilltop location near the Lobo airstrip, will have 75 rooms (150 beds) and employ 150 staff when fully completed in 2025. The hotel will include luxury rooms and villas, a restaurant and a bar, a swimming pool and a SPA, as well as a Kid’s club and meeting rooms.
