LABA GRUMETI ART LODGE
OPENING JULY 15, 2025
For Laba Laba’s owners Xavier Marie and Julie Brisson, time on safari is an opportunity to connect with nature. Especially here in the Grumeti, a place famous for the Great Migration and as a year-round destination thanks to an abundance of wildlife . When Xavier and Julie found this spectacular hill-top site in the west of the Serengeti, with spectacular views and removed from other lodges, they saw the opportunity to create something exceptional. The challenge was what? ‘We first came up with the idea of individual villas with a pool but realised we didn’t want too much concrete in the bush, rather a real safari experience, preferably under canvas, explains Xavier.
At around the same time they discovered the large-scale sculptures of South African artist Zizipho Poswa. Enthralled and inspired by her anthropomorphic totems, they began to build on the idea of creating a lodge inspired by African art. ‘The more we looked, the more we found artists from as afield as Kenya, the Ivory Coast and Ethiopia – whose work we coveted,’ says Julie. ‘And it was then that we decided upon ten artists who would produce 42 pieces of African art, which would inform the design.’ The lodge is integral to the experience and comprises 11 generously sized tents (12m2) and a two-bedroom family tent (162m2) that open out onto the bush via a large terrace.
There is also a spa and a spectacular 22m infinity pool built into the edge of the hill, for downtime between game drives. Laba Grumeti’s commitment to sustainability means that all power to the lodge is supplied by solar and battery, while refurbished vintage Landrovers have been ingeniously adapted to run on three different fuels: diesel, for when it is cold to start the engine; ethanol, for general driving as it is totally green; and electric, for when animals are in close proximity and a silence approach is preferential.
A first in the world for safari vehicles. As in all Laba Laba lodges, the food is mainly organic with biodynamic wines from South Africa and France. Activities centre around the Great Migration that occurs during the months of May, June and July as well as further crossings in September, October and November. Walking safaris can be arranged with our experienced knowledgeable guides. We look forward to welcoming guests to our unique new luxury camp from 15 July 2025 .