Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has signed a long term management agreement with the owners of Bilila Lodge, a resort in the Serengeti National Park, and is now operating the property, which will be upgraded and renamed Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, Tanzania in fall 2012.

“We have long wanted to expand into Sub-Saharan Africa and offer new outdoor adventure experiences to our guests,” says Kathleen Taylor, president and CEO, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. “Now, we’re thrilled to have an outstanding location and partners who share our vision to create a world class lodge like no other in the heart of Africa’s finest safari region.”

Four Seasons veteran James Kostecky has been appointed General Manager as the property transitions to Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti. Most recently General Manager at Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai and Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle in Thailand, he has previous experience in Kenya with a hotel group based in Nairobi.

“It’s great to be back in Africa, where each day brings a new wonder,” says Kostecky, an avid photographer with a keen sense of adventure. “This Lodge will be an excellent opportunity for first time safari travellers, families and groups to experience the natural beauty, astounding wildlife and fascinating culture of the Serengeti.”

Development in Africa and Other Ecologically Sensitive Regions

“This is the first step in a bold development project that will see three diverse Four Seasons experiences in what are considered to be three of the most important and attractive destinations in Tanzania,” says Scott Woroch, executive vice president worldwide development at Four Seasons. “The responsibility of taking over such as irreplaceable asset within the Serengeti National Park is one that we take very seriously. This is an extremely rare opportunity for Four Seasons in that no other property of this size or scale exists, or is likely to ever be developed again in the Park. With the future development of a luxury tented safari camp in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and an exclusive beach resort on the island of Zanzibar, Four Seasons will offer some of the finest holiday experiences in Tanzania.”

As with the company’s award-winning Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle in Thailand, Four Seasons in Tanzania will offer guests opportunities to get close to wildlife in a safe and ecologically responsible environment while still being pampered in a lodge set amid unspoiled wilderness.