EXCLUSIVITY - ENVI LODGES STRENGTHENS ITS PRESENCE IN EAST AFRICA
Chris Nader accelerates Envi's development and announces new projects in Tanzania, reinforcing the company’s commitment to sustainable luxury and unique, immersive experiences. . |
|
EXCLUSIVITY - ENVI LODGES STRENGTHENS ITS PRESENCE IN EAST AFRICA
Chris Nader accelerates Envi's development and announces new projects in Tanzania, reinforcing the company’s commitment to sustainable luxury and unique, immersive experiences. . |
Category: Africa Indian Ocean - Industry economy
- Interviews and portraits
- Hotel projects - Industry leaders
Article written by Vanessa Guerrier-Buisine on 2024-09-20
 Chris Nader, founder and CEO of ENVI Lodges
Photo credit © ENVI Lodges
In July 2024, Envi Lodges reached a new milestone with the opening of Envi Sisini Serengeti, a luxury tented camp located in the heart of Tanzania's Serengeti National Park. 11 tents and villas offer travellers breathtaking views of the savannah and are designed in perfect harmony with the surrounding nature. “We were approached by an investor in Tanzania in February 2024, and his vision matched our standards perfectly. Some of the tents had even been designed by architects with whom we were already working on other projects,” recalls Chris Nader.
“Investors are increasingly turning to us to support their projects. This shows the strength of Envi Lodges, which has established itself as a key brand in the luxury lodge niche,”enthuses Chris Nader.
In the Serengeti, the camp offers experiences such as ‘Big Five’ viewing, and personalized services that go far beyond the traditional lodge offering. The emphasis has been on wellness, with considerable thought given to the time spent in the camp and on excursions: "After four or five hours spent in a vehicle on safari, the back is often bruised. So, we've innovated by offering massages during the safari, when the animals aren't visible", explains Chris Nader.
The Envi Sisini Serengeti is located on a 2.2 km² area, the adopted home of a pride of lions. Here, guests can observe giraffes, zebras and gazelles in abundance. However, it is outside their lodges that they can be dazzled, as during a dinner organized at night, "in the middle of nowhere", by the light of candles and a campfire. In the middle of the savannah, and “just a few metres from the lions”, the teams create an ephemeral universe including modern commodities, and in the centre of which, a magnificently laid table allows guests to enjoy a barbecue. The whole area is secured by a special team who keeps a watchful eye on the wildlife around this intimate space.
A virtuous commitment
Envi Lodges' commitment to sustainability and environmental protection is at the heart of its identity. “At the camp, we're in a highly regulated national park, so our construction is very low-impact,” says Chris Nader. Envi Sisini is entirely solar powered, uses local produce to support the regional economy and does not allow single-use plastic. The camp has also introduced initiatives such as the ‘Adopt a Tree’ project, where guests are invited to plant a local tree, and has implemented a rigorous waste management policy.
On the social front, Envi Lodges also invests in the local community, employing 96% Tanzanian staff, buying fresh produce from neighbouring farms, and supporting educational and agricultural initiatives. "We create chicken feed from our food waste and supply it to local farms. We also reward the best students at a nearby primary school to improve the quality of education," shares Chris Nader, illustrating the company's commitment to community development.
A new adventure in Tanzania: Envi unveils a new camp in the Mara region
Speaking exclusively to Journal des Palaces, Envi's founder shared an ambitious project currently under development: the opening of a new camp in Tanzania scheduled for December 2024. The project, which is being carried out in collaboration with the same Tanzanian investor for Envi Sisini Serengeti, will be located in the Mara region. “Serengeti is also in the greater Mara region, but this new camp will be located further north, on the border with Kenya. We'll be putting up ten tents with facilities that will mirror those of the Serengeti camp”, Chris Nader tells us.
The choice of this location is no coincidence. Just ten minutes from a famous pass for the great wildebeest migration, where hundreds of thousands of wildebeest cross the plains every year, this site offers a unique opportunity to observe one of the world's most impressive natural spectacles. “Our site is just ten minutes from a route that is popular with safari enthusiasts and National Geographic”, explains Chris Nader, his enthusiasm palpable. This new camp promises to strengthen Envi Lodges' immersive offering in East Africa, while respecting the ecological and sustainability principles that are at the heart of the brand.
The evolution towards a holistic experience in the region
Envi Lodges' vision goes beyond luxury accommodation. In February 2025, the group plans to open Envi Kili in Arusha, in north-east Tanzania, a 20-tent camp offering total immersion in the wilderness with views of Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro.
This camp will complement the current offering: "We will be able to offer a complete safari experience in Tanzania and then chill in Zanzibar by staying with Envi", enthuses Chris Nader. This tour will allow visitors to spend one or two nights at Envi Kili to relax and recover from their flight, before joining the adventurous spirit of the Serengeti and the Mara and finishing with a few days of total relaxation in Zanzibar. ‘There, by the beach, they can relax on the white sand, enjoy yoga and meditation sessions, massage sessions, etc., before coming back home’, Nader describes.
Combining its camps to offer complementary adventures has become a distinctive feature of Envi, which already uses this scheme in Oman, with Al Sifah, an Envi experience by the beach, and Al Jabel Al Akhdar, Envi in the mountains, at an altitude of 2,000 meters.
A responsible growth model
In Europe, Envi's ambitions are tempered by external constraints. Projects in France are moving ahead less quickly than hoped, due to the challenge of finding a local authority that both meets the conditions for installing Envi Lodges and issues the necessary permits for the project. "However, our projects are solid and based on an eco-responsible approach. We are one of the few companies in the world to offer an initiative that not only respects the environment, but also appeals to the community...’ regrets Chris Nader.
Envi Lodges is actively exploring other markets such as Italy and Greece. "We have a partner in Italy to target land and are in discussions with Greece," says Chris Nader. The aim is to continue offering eco-responsible luxury experiences that respect the environment and support local communities, wherever they are located.
Envi Lodges continues to redefine luxury hospitality with a focus on sustainability, local integration and total immersion in nature. With rapid expansion in East Africa and a clear vision for the future, the brand is establishing itself as an industry leader, offering guests unforgettable, eco-friendly experiences while making a positive contribution to local communities.
 The ENVI Sisini Serengeti offers guests an immersive experience in ultra-luxury comfort
Photo credit © ENVI Lodges
 ENVI Sisini Serengeti opened in July 2024 in the heart of this Tanzanian national park
Photo credit © ENVI Lodges
 Guests are plunged in a 2.2 km stretch of nature, where wildlife roams freely
Photo credit © ENVI Lodges
 Experiences at ENVI Sisini take place day and night - Photo credit: Envi Lodges
Photo credit © ENVI Lodges
 ENVI Mara will open in the immediate vicinity of the largest wildebeest migration area in northern Tanzania - Photo credit: Envi Lodges
Photo credit © ENVI Lodges
|
|
