Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge: Our full report
Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge in Tanzania is part of the international Serena Hotels group owned by the ...
... Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development. This 66-room Maasai village-inspired lodge opened in 1996 and accommodates more than 140 people when full. From its elevated position, sitting among acacia trees in the Kyabatero Hills, north-west of Seronera, it has lovely views across the Serengeti plains.The main areas are housed in two adjacent thatched buildings containing the reception and curio shop. From there, covered stone walkways, flanked by papyrus-filled streams, lead to the two-storey restaurant, the lounge and bar, and the guest rooms.
The restaurant has high-domed roofs and carved pillars and is spread across two levels. One has a wrap-around outdoor terrace that is covered and very popular with guests when it's too warm to dine inside. The circular open-air buffet sits between these two tiers and you can see the chefs cooking in the middle; all meals are served from here buffet style. The lounge and bar are housed in a separate building with some seating areas on the mezzanine level, where there's also a TV with satellite channels. Like the restaurant, the lounge and bar have a rustic, African-inspired décor.
Stone pathways lead through the acacia trees to the two-storey thatched-roof rondavels. These are slightly 'hobbity' and rather charming from the outside, but inside each rondavel contains three modestly-sized, rather bland, modern hotel rooms: two downstairs and one slightly larger one upstairs, each with its own outside entrance. The rooms are more or less semi-circular with stone-tiled floors dotted with African rugs. Twin or double beds with carved wooden headboards and African-print bedspreads dominate each room. There is a dressing table and mirror, a luggage rack and built-in cupboards with hanging space and shelves, free standing fans and a digital room safe. Sliding glass doors lead out onto a small balcony furnished with two canvas director's chairs so you can relax and enjoy the views over the Serengeti.
The bathrooms are small and functional with tiled floors, a flush toilet, a single basin with a large round mirror above and a tiled shower with glass door. White towels, towelling bathrobes and mini, hotel-chain toiletries are provided, as is a hairdryer.
Two of the rooms, #29 and #30 have enhanced access for people with mobility challenges (though the lodge's site would be a challenge in itself). There are three rondavels with interconnected rooms for families. And 14 rooms can work as triples, with either three single beds or a kingsize bed with an extra single. There's also a suite, which has a double bed in the main bedrooms and rooms for two singles in the separate lounge.
The large semi-circular swimming pool is located in the gardens and has views of the plains below. Terracotta-striped sunloungers and umbrellas are provided and there's also a changing room with toilets nearby. The viewpoint in this area is a stunning spot for sundowners. Each night a group of Maasai will gather here to perform a traditional dance for guests’ entertainment.
Massages are available at extra cost (U$40/30 minutes; U$70/60 minutes), and can be taken in the guest rooms, or in the massage tent near the swimming pool.
Our view
Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge is family-friendly, with good facilities, and its central location makes it an ideal base from which to explore the Serengeti at most times of the year. If you're looking for a mid-range, hotel-style place to stay in the Serengeti, this could be a good choice. However, its popularity with tour groups means it can get very busy.
Tanzania expert
Geographics
- Location
- Serengeti Migration Area, Tanzania
- Ideal length of stay
- We suggest a minimum two-night stay to explore this part of the Serengeti.
- Directions
- Serengeti Serena is 340km from Arusha (about 8–10 hours drive) or 60 minutes by air. Seronera airstrip is 27km from the lodge, which is around a 30-minute drive.
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board
- Food quality
- We did not have a chance to eat at the Serena on our most recent visit in February 2018, however we understand that a continental breakfast is served between 06:00 and 09:30. You can expect a selection of breads, pastries, cold meats and cheeses, and a full cooked breakfast is also available with eggs cooked to order.
Lunch is typically served between 12:3- and 14:30, with a wide choice of soups, salads, stir-fried vegetables, pastas, meat from the grill (chicken, sausage or fish), and curries with naan bread and different varieties of rice. A buffet of desserts and fresh fruit is also on offer.
Dinner is served between 19:30 and 21:30, and is typically a selection of soups and salads to start, followed by grilled meat, such as pork chops or boerewors sausage, and fish such as Nile perch, as well as beef curry with a selection of vegetables and rice, and pasta dishes with a variety of sauces. A vegetarian option is also available. Dinner concludes with a dessert buffet and a spread of cheese and crackers. - Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- Room service is available on request and there are internal phones in all the rooms.
- Drinks included
- Drinks are not included. Water and soft drinks start from US$3, beers are around U$4 and wine costs from around US$30 a bottle. Tea and coffee facilities are found in all rooms.
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Children of all ages are welcome at the Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge
- Property’s age restrictions
- No age restriction
- Special activities & services
- Early meal times can be arranged and baby-sitting facilities are available. The swimming pool is ideal for children and a qualified lifeguard is on hand. Nevertheless, adults must supervise small children.
- Equipment
- Babycots and highchairs are available as well as children’s games.
- Generally recommended for children
- We recommend the Serengeti Serena for children. Interconnecting family rooms are available and the lodge caters well for children of all ages.
- Notes
- Children will need to be closely supervised by their parents as the lodge is not fenced and game wanders in freely throughout the day and night.
Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Serengeti Serena
Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Serengeti Serena Safari 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.
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
50% success
50% success
50% success
50% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
Communications
- Power supply notes
- Power is available 24/7.
- Communications
- WiFi is available throughout the lodge. Cellphone reception is available in the main areas but not in most of the rooms.
- TV & radio
- There is a TV in the main lounge as well as in the only suite.
- Water supply
- Borehole
- Water supply notes
- Guests are provided with bottled drinking water and bottles can be replenished on request at no charge.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- There is a doctor on site. The nearest hospital is in Arusha, which is an hour away by air.
- Dangerous animals
- High Risk
- Security measures
- The lodge has guards on duty 24 hours a day and there is also a resident TANAPA ranger on site.
- Fire safety
- There are fire extinguishers in the main areas as well as at the guest rondavels.
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Hot air ballooning
Extras
- Disabled access
- In Place
- Laundry facilities
- Laundry is available at an additional cost. The cost ranges from U$0.50 for a pair of socks, U$1 for a pair of shorts or a T-shirt to U$2 for a sweater or a safari suit.
- Money
- Digital safes are available in each room.
The lodge is able to exchange small amounts of U$ dollars, euros, British pounds and South African rand. - Accepted payment on location
- Mastercard, Visa and Amex are accepted at no additional charge.
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.
Kimondo Camp
Kimondo Camp is based in the remote Lamai Wedge in the northern Serengeti from Jul–Oct, and on the southern Kusini plains from Nov–Mar.
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 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 comfortable and stylish tented camp that opened in 2018 in the central Serengeti.
Lemala Ewanjan
Lemala Ewanjan is a comfortable and stylish tented camp in the Seronera area of the central Serengeti National Park.
Kubu Kubu
Kubu Kubu is a contemporary, tented lodge, well located in the central Seronera area of the Serengeti National Park.
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.
Kusini Camp
Kusini Camp is permanent, luxury camp located on a beautiful kopje in a quiet, wildlife-rich corner of the south-west Serengeti.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Faru Faru Lodge
On the north bank of the Grumeti River, Faru Faru is a small, chic hideaway in this exclusive corner of the Serengeti.
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.
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.
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.
Bushtops
Serengeti Bushtops is a permanent luxury camp in the northern Serengeti, with spacious and private tents with their own hot tubs.
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.
Nimali Mara
Nimali Mara is a luxurious safari lodge in a quiet region of the northern Serengeti with good access to the wildebeest migration.
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.
Lake Masek Tented Camp
Ideally located for the wildebeest migration from Dec–Apr, Lake Masek Tented Camp is a good, mid-market safari camp.
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.
Kirawira Camp
Set high on a hill, in the Serengeti's western corridor, Kirawira is a relatively large tented camp in the Serena group.
Mbuzi Mawe
Mbuze Mawe is a comfortable tented camp in a convenient, central-north location when driving through the Serengeti.
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.
