Mahali Mzuri is Sir Richard Branson's luxurious getaway set at a safari camp in Kenya. The domed cabins include a spacious living room, bedroom and bathroom, plus views of the surrounding areas and plains below. However, staying here could put you back a few dollars, as the price is not cheap.
Overall, the structures have a domed architectural style, which actually blend into the hillsides quite well. Branson wanted to keep the environmental impact of these designs quite low, and not overrun the area with a huge development. As such, these abodes are scattered throughout the hillside and don't take over this region of Kenya. Local workers were hired for the project, and Branson ensure the nearby communities were involved in the entire process so as not to burn bridges with the people in the area.
Photo Credits: designboom, mahalimzuri.virgin
What's Driving This Trend
- Luxury Eco-tourism
- Mahali Mzuri's eco-friendly approach to luxury lodging presents an opportunity for the development of sustainable travel experiences.
- Dome-shaped Architecture
- The domed architectural style of Mahali Mzuri cabins has the potential to disrupt the traditional rectangular cabin design in the hospitality industry.
- Community-focused Resorts
- Mahali Mzuri's community involvement during construction presents an opportunity for more resorts to prioritize local inclusion and engagement.
Who This Affects Most
- Eco-friendly Hospitality
- The improvement of eco-friendly offerings in luxury lodging can create a change in the hospitality industry to be more sustainable.
- Architectural Design
- Mahali Mzuri's domed cabin design idea could begin a new trend in hospitality architecture.
- Community-engaged Tourism
- The implementation of community involvement during construction and everyday operations could improve relationships between local communities and tourist sites in the tourism industry.
