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Lemala Kuria Hills
Lemala Kuria Hills
Lemala Kuria Hills
Lemala Kuria Hills
Lemala Kuria Hills
Lemala Kuria Hills
Lemala Kuria Hills
Lemala Kuria Hills

Lemala Kuria Hills: Our full report

Opened in 2013, Lemala Kuria Hills is one the more luxurious of Lemala's camps in Tanzania.

It is located in the scenic Wogakuria Hills, in the northern Serengeti, about a 30-minute drive from the Mara River. The great wildebeest migration passes through this part of the Serengeti usually between July and October and this is a great camp to be based during this period.

Lemala Kuria Hills is set on the brow of a hill with lovely views of the Serengeti plains below. The landscape is dominated by huge boulders and rocky outcrops known as kopjes.

The camp's main area comprises two permanent tented structures on different levels, both raised clear of the hillside. In the first tent is a spacious lounge, decorated in a modern style, with sofas and chairs in neutral colours and rugs scattered on polished wooden floors. Contemporary chandeliers, hanging from the tented ceiling, complete the look. Fireplaces at each end of the lounge provide cosy meeting places for guests on chilly evenings and there is a substantial bar at one end and when we last visited we could easily imagine whiling away an evening here swapping safari stories.

Accessed from the lounge by a wooden walkway, the dining area is furnished in the same clean and modern style, with lots of dark wood and neutral cream colours. Individual dining tables are covered with white tablecloths and surrounded by high-backed chairs. On one side of the area there's another fireplace decorated with African artefacts.

It's worth noting that while the managers are always available, Kuria Hills is not a hosted camp and guests usually eat at their own tables.

Outside, a large faux-wood deck runs high above the hillside, linking the lounge and dining areas. Tucked away at one end, a sandy-floored firepit, surrounded by canvas chairs, is a popular spot for pre-dinner drinks or an early-morning tea or coffee.

Sandy paths lead from the main areas to the 15 spacious tented rooms, all of which can be set up as triples, and four of which can be quads. These are quite spread out, which means that each is completely private, with views to the north, east or west. Some are a fair walk from the main area, though, either up or down relatively steep inclines; guests with mobility issues should request a room close to the main areas.

The tented rooms are entered through a small hallway at the back, where there's built-in clothes storage, tea- and coffee-making facilities and a fridge stocked with water and soft drinks. In front of this area, a mosquito-netted double bed, or twin beds, face the view through sliding glass doors. There is a lounge area with a sofa, chair and coffee table to one side. The canvas walls of the rooms are relatively solid (these are certainly not traditional safari tents) and are hung with striking African prints, while stylish modern sculptures are dotted around the room.

More sliding glass doors lead from the bedroom to the en-suite bathroom, where two square basins are set atop a wooden plinth, with large round mirrors above. A deep, free-standing bath stands in front of the window and separate cubicles house a funky, glass-enclosed shower and a flush toilet.

In front of the tent is a decent-sized deck, with a table and chairs, sunloungers and a private plunge pool. An outdoor shower is tucked around the corner.

Lemala Kuria Hills has a lovely private spa area a short walk from the central area. Massages, manicures and pedicures are offered in an open-fronted room looking over the bush where buffalo frequently wander; when we were here massages started at around $40 for 30-minutes.

A glistening swimming pool affords welcome respite from the afternoon heat. Set beneath a high rocky outcrop that attracts birds and rock hyrax it has decking on three sides dotted with sunloungers and umbrellas, and it also has its own changing room and toilet.

Activities at Lemala Kuria Hills centre on 4WD game drives. These focus either on the resident game or, when the wildebeest migration is passing through, on the predator interactions with the herds and the crossings along the Mara River.


Our view

Lemala Kuria Hills offers modern, luxurious, hotel-like accommodation for travellers hoping to witness the migration. As it is in the higher price bracket, it would suit honeymooners or first-time safari travellers prepared to pay a relatively high price for real comforts and a little separation from the natural world.

Tamara Hoskyns-Abrahall

Tamara Hoskyns-Abrahall

Tanzania expert

Geographics

Location
Serengeti Migration Area, Tanzania
Ideal length of stay
During the migration you could easily spend four nights in this part of the Serengeti following the movements of the wildebeest. Out of season, about three nights here would provide a quiet, offbeat experience with some good resident game and far fewer people.

A stay here can be combined with Lemala Kuria Hills’ sister camps: Lemala Ngorongoro, the seasonal Lemala Mara and Ndutu camps, Lemala Ewanjan, and Lemala Manyara.
Directions
Lemala Kuria Hills is a 20-minute drive from Kogatende Airstrip, in the northern Serengeti.
Accessible by
Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis
Full Board
Food quality
We enjoyed the food here on our recent stay, it was fresh, plentiful and very tasty – a step up from the meals served at the other Lemala properties. Most dietary requirements can be catered for with advance notice.

Breakfast, served from 6.00am, is usually a buffet with a selection of fresh fruit, cereals, porridge, tea, coffee and fresh fruit juices, plus a cooked option of bacon, eggs and sausage. Picnic breakfasts are available too.

Lunch and dinner are served from around 12 noon and 7.00pm respectively. Expect a choice of three starters – we had the choice of herb bread with red bean dip, chilled avocado soup or tomato, avocado and mango with grilled chicken. For the main course the choice was beef burger with bacon, cheese and fries, or a vegetarian burger with fries or fish and chips with tartare sauce and salad. This is finished off with a choice of two desserts which was chocolate tart or mango sorbet.

When there is a large number guests, Lemala Kuria Hills like to offer themed evenings including barbecues, Indian dining and pizza nights (there is a pizza oven on the veranda).

Afternoon tea, with freshly baked cakes, can be served on request before heading off on an evening game drive.
Dining style
Individual Tables
Dining locations
Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Further dining info, including room service
Room service is available on request – Kuria Hills has phones in the rooms.
Drinks included
Most drinks are included, including sparkling wine. Champagne and premium wines and spirits are extra. Drinking water passes through the camp's reverse-osmosis water purification system and is excellent.

Special interests

Luxury
Lemala Kuria Hills is perfect if you’re looking for a luxurious hotel-like safari. It is smart and contemporary with excellent service and varied dining. After returning from safari, there are indulgent opportunities to relax, either at the peaceful spa or whilst enjoying the views from your private plunge pool.
See ideas for Luxury in Tanzania

Children

Attitude towards children
Lemala Kuria Hills welcomes children over the age of four.
Property’s age restrictions
Lemala Kuria Hills welcomes children over the age of four.
Special activities & services
There are a few board games in the main area and the swimming pool will keep many kids happy. Lemala Cubs is a programme designed for younger guests, offering a range of locally inspired activities around the camp such as making bows and arrows and going on nature walks, but there is no formal childcare. Early meals can be arranged.
Equipment
There is no specific equipment such as cots or high chairs, babies are not accepted.
Generally recommended for children
Although Lemala Kuria Hills welcomes younger children we feel that it is more suitable for older, mature children aged over 10.
Notes
Parents need to be aware that the camp is not fenced and that dangerous big game wanders around it day and night. It is the camp's policy that children may not be left unattended in their rooms at night.

Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Lemala Kuria Hills

Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Lemala Kuria Hills have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.

Buffalo

100% success

Elephant

100% success

Giraffe

100% success

Hippo

100% success

Lion

100% success

Zebra

100% success

Leopard

86% success

Wildebeest

86% success

Eland

83% success

Spotted Hyena

83% success

Cheetah

50% success

Roan antelope

40% success

Oryx

25% success

Black Rhino

20% success

Striped Hyena

20% success

Wild dog

20% success

Aardvark

0% success

Pangolin

0% success

Communications

Power supply notes
The camp is run mainly by solar power but there is a back-up generator. Power is available in the rooms day and night.
Communications
WiFi is available in the rooms but not in the communal areas. There is a telephone in each room in order to contact the main area – either in case of an emergency or to order drinks.
TV & radio
There are no TV’s or radio here.
Water supply
Borehole
Water supply notes
Water for washing comes from a borehole and is solar-heated. Flush toilets and hot and cold running water are provided in all tents. The camp has a reverse osmosis system and this meets international standards.

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended
Yes
Medical care
There is a first-aid box in camp. The nearest clinic is at Migumu, two hours’ drive away, just outside the park. In an emergency, patients can be airlifted to Arusha, which is a flight of about 90 minutes.
Dangerous animals
High Risk
Security measures
Askaris (guards) are on duty 24 hours a day and there is also a park ranger based in the camp. Guests are escorted after dark.
Fire safety
Fire extinguishers are located at all the tented rooms as well as in the main areas. All staff have fire safety training.

Activities

  • 4WD Safari

    4WD Safari

  • Birdwatching

    Birdwatching

  • Guided walking safari

    Guided walking safari

  • Hot air ballooning

    Hot air ballooning

Extras

Disabled access
Not Possible
Laundry facilities
Laundry is available and included in the cost and takes around 24 hours. It is done by machine and so the camp also washes underwear.
Money
There are safes in each tented room.
Accepted payment on location
Cash payments may be made in US dollars and Tanzanian shillings. Visa and Mastercard are accepted at an additional 5% cost.

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