Faru Faru Lodge: Our full report
Faru Faru Lodge is the most southerly of the Singita's properties in the Serengeti, and is close to the Grumeti ...
... River and the Serengeti's Western Corridor. Having opened early in 2007, Faru Faru is also the newest of the properties here. It has views over the undulating, short grass hills of the Grumeti Reserve and is surrounded by countless acacia trees. The lodge also looks over a watering hole which is popular with the passing wildlife.Faru Faru has an elegant and natural feel to it which is reflected largely in the main areas of the lodge. A library adjacent to the bar, dining and lounge areas is well stocked with games, DVDs, a satellite television, books, a computer with internet access and a printer – all of which are complimentary. The library is furnished in much the same way as the rest of the lodge; with plenty of wood and stone, and decorated with ornaments you would expect to find in a botanist's office. It also has large, welcoming sofas covered in scatter cushions, where you could easily while away a few hours.
The dining, bar and lounge areas all flow into one another and are built overlooking the watering hole, one of the swimming pools and the bush. The areas are cool, contemporary and effortlessly chic. It is impossible to ignore the fact that nature and the natural bush have played an enormous part in inspiring its construction. The interiors have exposed, stone floors, the walls are constructed with large nuggets of rock layered on top of each other, and wooden tables and chairs all of which shelter beneath a thick, khaki, canvas roof. Simple ornaments adorn the large wooden tables and pebble-coloured sofas align the walls looking out to the bush and over one of the swimming pools.
As you walk through the dining area you reach a second swimming pool which has been inspired by a Swahili sand beach, where you can soak up the sun from a poolside lounger or lying on the sand. After time at the pool, you can make your way up to the wooden deck and enjoy more views of the Serengeti whilst having an intimate lunch.
Faru Faru also has a small boutique style shop selling a range of African inspired jewellery, ornaments and clothing.
Faru Faru Lodge has been designed cleverly, so although it's quite large, it's very easy to find a quiet, undisturbed corner to be on your own. Beyond the central lounge and dining areas, sloping walkways lead through the bush to the bedrooms, the swimming pools, a firepit and an elevated deck. All of these outdoor areas have quite a tropical feel to them – they are shaded by wooden canopies and trees and surrounded by the green bush. (This was green even though we last visited here at the height of the dry season, at the end of September!)
Faru Faru, which means 'rhino', has been based on a 1940s/50s style botanist camp. There are copies of nature books and test tube-like vases in most of the rooms, instruments and botanical prints hanging on the walls, and each bedroom has a telescope. Having said that – it has been designed in an essentially minimalist, modern way; it has a far more contemporary and stylized feel than its sister lodges, Sabora Plains and Sasakwa.
Between about June and late-August, Faru Faru is surrounded by the great migration, as it munches its way north through the reserve's lush grasses. Because of its proximity to the watering hole and the Grumeti River, it makes a wonderful base from which to view the countless herds that pass by. Whilst Faru Faru makes a wonderful safari lodge during the migration, it is also a good lodge to visit at other times of year. Grumeti Reserve has many kopjies and ravines, and thus permanent populations of game. If you enjoy walking, then during the long dry season, from July to November, guided walks in the dry bed of the Grumeti River are a big attraction.
Our view
Like the other two Singita properties in the Grumeti, Faru Faru has exemplary service, charming staff and a real feeling of exclusivity. Out of the three lodges on Singita Grumeti Reserve, Faru Faru undoubtedly has the most stylized and 'designed' feel to it - and felt quite different to the others; it's modern, fresh, funky and full of charm. When we last visited,The lodge managers, Ollie and Steve added a friendly, professional and relaxed touch to the lodge so we felt instantly at home.
Tanzania expert
Geographics
- Location
- Serengeti Migration Area, Tanzania
- Ideal length of stay
- Typically 2-4 nights would be ideal at Faru Faru.
- Directions
- Faru Faru Lodge is about 1½ hour's flight from Kilimanjaro. There is an airstrip based near Sasakwa for charter flights.
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board & Activities
- Food quality
- Breakfast - Before heading out on early morning game drives, coffee and a light snacks (muffins, rusks and the like) are served in the lounge. When you return in mid-morning, there's usually a proper breakfast with fresh fruits, cereals, toast, etc - and/or a cooked breakfast made to order, and served to your table.
Lunch - The last time we visited Faru Faru (September 07) we had a very tasty lunch, sitting on the elevated deck, overlooking the bush. We started with a cold pear and champagne soup accompanied by warm, home-made bread and followed with a delicious, tapas-style, hot meat and vegetable platter and an assortment of fresh salads. All of the food was served in beautiful blown glass dishes by charming staff.
Dinner – In the main dining room, this is a ¾-course meal served to your table, although if you prefer a private, candle-lit venue, then you can opt to have it brought to your room's private verandah.
Meal times at Faru Faru can be flexible and work around you and your safari activities. The lodge is very happy to cater for all tastes and ages as long as they have prior notice. - Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- Yes - Faru Faru can arrange for you to have meals on your private verandah on request.
- Drinks included
- Most drinks are included at Faru Faru, except champagne, premium wines and spirits, which are priced as extras and charged separately for in the lodge.
Special interests
- Riding holidays
- Faru Faru Lodge is a sister lodge of Sasakwa, and you can use the riding facilities there. It has magnificent horses that cater for intermediate to experienced riders (14 years and over) and they will take you out on guided rides lasting up to several days.
- See ideas for Riding holidays in Tanzania
- Wildlife safaris
- Wildlife around Faru Faru is good throughout the year, with plenty of resident game. The lodge is also on the migratory route for the thousands of animals that make their way north across the Serenegti during June – August. The water hole also attracts game in view of the lodge.
- See ideas for Wildlife safaris in Tanzania
- Luxury
- A very private safari retreat in the western Serengeti, Faru Faru Lodge offers a close connection to the wilderness with a real feeling of exclusivity. Luxurious features like infinity pools and rooms appointed with Swarovski telescopes reflect a modern take on tented safaris.
- See ideas for Luxury in Tanzania
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Children of all ages are welcome as long as they are under constant parental supervision.
- Property’s age restrictions
- None
- Special activities & services
- There are no special services for children at Faru Faru.
- Generally recommended for children
- Yes – as long as they are under supervision. As Faru Faru is such an intimate and peaceful lodge we recommend only more mature children stay here (12 upwards).
- Notes
- There are two pool areas that children can use but under supervision. There is also a large library with satellite television, DVD's, games, books, a computer and a printer.
Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Faru Faru Lodge
Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Faru Faru Lodge 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.
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Communications
- Communications
- There are internet phones in each room and guests can use these to phone internationally with compliments of the lodge.
Wireless internet is installed in the library. - TV & radio
- There is satellite television in the library.
Sustainability
Anti-poaching educational visits to wildernes
Faru Faru is one of the twelve award-winning eco-lodges owned by Singita Conservation Company, where conservation efforts are supported by three pillars: biodiversity, community and sustainability. Dedicated to the on-going preservation of the African wilderness, Faru Faru is one of the most active supporters of Singita’s anti-poaching programme.
With an increasing value for animal products such as rhino horn, elephant ivory and lion bone, the number of poaching incidents is rapidly soaring. Singita Anti-Poaching Unit was established to combine advanced technology with the efforts of over 100 game scouts to protect the diverse wildlife in the conservancy. To support the initiative, Faru Faru aims to educate tourists about the challenges of fighting the human-wildlife conflict by offering them a chance to visit one of the anti-poaching observation posts. There, guests have a unique opportunity to meet the Singita Grumeti Fund game scouts, see the way they live and how they work to protect the area from illegal poaching activities.
Looking into the future, Singita Grumeti Fund has plans to keep on using the most advanced technology to help it in its anti-poaching efforts. For this, it plans to buy a number of drones that will be used for surveying areas where illegal poaching might be taking place. Through the visits offered by Faru Faru, guests get an immersive experience by spending a day close to the game scouts. Most importantly, by understanding the incredible efforts of the conservation team, they can choose to support the camp’s future investments, and therefore donate for the drone programme.
See more great sustainability projects in Tanzania
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- There is a resident paramedic at Faru Faru and they have links to the Flying Doctor.
- Dangerous animals
- High Risk
- Security measures
- There are guards at night to escort guests from their rooms to the dining / bar area and back.
- Fire safety
- There are fire extinguishers around the property and some staff are trained to use them.
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Guided walking safari
Hot air ballooning
Night drive
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- Laundry is included at Faru Faru. If collected in the morning, it will be ready by the same evening – weather permitting.
- Money
- Faru Faru accept US$, Euros and Tanzanian Shillings.
- Accepted payment on location
- Faru Faru accept American Express, Visa and Mastercard and currently don't charge commission. They do not accept Diner's Card.
Room types at Faru Faru Lodge
Bedroom
The large double rooms at Faru Faru have a very modern feel to them. They are stylish, crisp and bright with thoughtful design touches to them. The furnishings are minimalist and contemporary. The botanist-inspired theme is further boosted – pictures of flowers and various botanical instruments decorate the walls.
The bedrooms are all very calming and are decorated with natural fibres and muted colours – stone-greys and creams. Wood and stone are used extensively, and canvas for the roofs, which makes the rooms feel spacious, bright and uncluttered. The light wood furniture is complimented by bamboo partitions and a polished stone floor. Walking into the room, there is a 'memory board' where guests are encouraged to pin up photos, pictures or any memories they choose to write down, adding character and history to the rooms, even though this lodge only opened recently.
Outside, each room also has its own private, wooden veranda overlooking the bush and its waterhole. However, to bring nature closer, and to appreciate the view from your bed, simply pick up the remote control and watch your room's wall of glass windows glide smoothly aside. Then, when night falls, put your private telescope to good use: star-gaze from the comfort of one of your armchairs.
We last visited Faru Faru when it was very new – just a few months old. As such, there were a couple of teething problems, which are likely to have been fixed by late 2007. For example, the rooms had only one large mosquito net – so when twin beds were under it, they had to be very close together.
Other lodges in Serengeti Migration Area
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Olakira Camp
Comfortable, friendly and relaxed, Olakira Camp moves between the Mara River and the southern Ndutu area, in line with the wildebeest migration.
Sayari Camp
In the northern Serengeti, near the Mara River, luxurious Sayari Camp offers excellent wildife all year – boosted further by the wildebeest migration.
Nomad Serengeti Camp
Serengeti Safari Camp is a well-appointed tented camp that moves several times a year to follow the predicted path of the migration.
Dunia Camp
Dunia Camp is well located for the migration from December to March, and has excellent game viewing for the rest of the year.
Namiri Plains Camp
Namiri Plains is one of the best camps in the Serengeti and its remoteness ensures a fantastic wildlife experience away from the crowds.
Lamai Serengeti
Set high in the kopjes with fantastic views, Lamai Serengeti offers top service and guiding and good migration sightings from Jul-Oct.
Ubuntu Camp
Ubuntu Camp has several locations in the Serengeti, following the wildebeest migration, so it is often in a great location to see the herds.
Kati Kati Camp
Kati Kati is a small, very simple bushcamp, which is well-positioned to explore the wildlife-rich Seronera area.
Ndutu Safari Lodge
Large and economical, but not luxurious, Ndutu Safari Lodge is well located in the southern Serengeti, so book early to get space.
Serian Serengeti
Serian Serengeti is a mobile tented operation run by Alex Walker which moves between two locations following the wildebeest migration.
Klein's Camp
Klein's Camp, in a private area of the northern Serengeti, sets high standards. Activities include walks, nights drives and Maasai village visits.
Serengeti under Canvas
Two of the three Serengeti under Canvas camps move through the Serengeti National Park every few months to follow the wildebeest migration.
Grumeti River Camp
Grumeti River Camp offers a laid-back atmosphere combined with top service, first-rate food, expert guiding and an excellent location.
Lemala Kuria Hills
Lemala Kuria Hills is a luxury permanent camp that is ideally located for wildlife all year around, but especially during the wildebeest migration.
Lemala Ewanjan
Lemala Ewanjan is a comfortable and stylish tented camp in the Seronera area of the central Serengeti National Park.
Lemala Mara-Ndutu
Lemala Mara-Ndutu is a semi-permanent camp that moves between the north and south of the Serengeti to witness the wildebeest migration.
Lemala Nanyukie
Lemala Nanyukie is a stylish camp located in the quieter part of the central Serengeti.
Lobo Wildlife Lodge
The large Lobo Wildlife Lodge has simple, functional rooms in a stunning location. It's a good base for exploring the north-eastern Serengeti.
Kubu Kubu
Kubu Kubu is a contemporary, tented lodge, well located in the central Seronera area of the Serengeti National Park.
Serengeti Walking Mobile
This fairly simple camp offers only walking activities, but it's very well done and combines well with more conventional camps or lodges.
Mbalageti Lodge
Mbalageti is a well-run lodge in a quiet part of the Serengeti's western corridor – an ideal location during the Apr-Jun migration.
Serengeti Serena
The Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge is a large, hotel-style lodge and a good family-friendly base from which to explore the central Serengeti.
Kusini Camp
Kusini Camp is permanent, luxury camp located on a beautiful kopje in a quiet, wildlife-rich corner of the south-west Serengeti.
Migration Camp
Serengeti Migration Camp is a smart tented camp, good for the wildebeest migration from Jul–Aug, or to explore the Lobo Kopjes any time.
Mkombe's House Lamai
Mkombe's House Lamai is a fully staffed private house in the Wogakuria Kopjes district of Serengeti National Park.
Serengeti Sopa Lodge
Serengeti Sopa Lodge is an international-style hotel offering good-value accommodation in the central Serengeti, with lovely views of the plains.
Singita Mara River
Singita Mara River Tented Camp is a luxurious camp in the isolated and rewarding Lamai wedge region of the northern Serengeti.
Olmara Camp
With just eight guest tents, including two family tents and three signature stargazer tents, Olmara is a simple, family-friendly camp with a wonderfully attentive team. The camp captures an authentic bush experience, welcoming travellers of every kind.
Serengeti Green Camp
Serengeti Green Camp is a comfortable camping experience, in your own private safari camp and at the heart of a great wildlife area.
Sasakwa Lodge
On a hill looking over the Serengeti plains, Sasakwa Lodge is grand, luxurious safari camp, one of the most opulent properties in Tanzania.
Kirurumu Migration Camp
Kirurumu is a rustic tented camp which moves around the Serengeti twice a year to follow the wildebeest migration.
Sabora Tented Camp
Sabora Tented Camp is a smart tented camp – one of the most luxurious, professional and stylish properties to be found in Tanzania.
Four Seasons Serengeti
The Four Seasons Safari Lodge is the only hotel in the Serengeti offering international facilities such as a gym, spa and children’s club.
Nimali Mara
Nimali Mara is a luxurious safari lodge in a quiet region of the northern Serengeti with good access to the wildebeest migration.
Bushtops
Serengeti Bushtops is a permanent luxury camp in the northern Serengeti, with spacious and private tents with their own hot tubs.
Ndutu Kati Kati
Ndutu Kati Kati is a seasonal tented camp, based in the southern Serenget from Dec-Mar, ideal for the migration as it passes through.
Olduvai Camp
Olduvai Camp lies between Ngorongoro and the southern Serengeti plains. It's a good base for the southern plains during the rainy season.
Lake Masek Tented Camp
Ideally located for the wildebeest migration from Dec–Apr, Lake Masek Tented Camp is a good, mid-market safari camp.
Mara Mara
Mara Mara is a smart tented camp in the northern Serengeti, situated on a small hill close to the Mara River.
Esirai Migration Camp
A season migration camp, with only 8 tents and 1 family tent and plenty of character. Esirai is ideally placed for excellent wildlife and enjoys a simplistic and comfortable under-canvas experience.
Mwiba Lodge
Mwiba Lodge is a luxurious property located on a private concession on the edge of the southern Serengeti.
Seronera Wildlife Lodge
Seronera Wildlife Lodge is large hotel-style safari lodge in the heart of the Serengeti, offering good value and a great location.
Mara Kati Kati
Mara Kati Kati is a simple bush camp in the northern Serengeti, based from Jul-Oct near the Mara River for the wildebeest migration.
Nasikia Naona
Naona Camp is a small tented camp, located in the Moru Kopjes, west of the Serengeti central area
Kirawira Camp
Set high on a hill, in the Serengeti's western corridor, Kirawira is a relatively large tented camp in the Serena group.
Nyikani Central
Nyikani Central is a comfortable tented camp located in the game-rich Seronera area of the central Serengeti.
Mbuzi Mawe
Mbuze Mawe is a comfortable tented camp in a convenient, central-north location when driving through the Serengeti.
Laba Migration Camp
A luxury mobile camp that moves between the Western Corridor, Mara River and the southern Ndutu area, in line with the wildebeest migration.
Serengeti Pioneer Camp
Serengeti Pioneer Camp is a luxurious tented camp in the central Serengeti, styled on African explorers' camps of the early 20th century.
Taasa Lodge
Taasa Lodge is a slightly quirky option offering guided walks and night game drives, which are not permitted in Serengeti National Park.
Nimali Serengeti
Opened in July 2017, Nimali Serengeti is a smart, permanent tented camp located in the Seronera area of the central Serengeti.
Nomad Walking Camp
Nomad Expeditionary Walking Camp is a simple camp of up to three tents, plus infrastructure, that changes location to allow guests to do substantial walks between campsites.
