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Serondela Lodge
Serondela Lodge
Serondela Lodge
Serondela Lodge
Serondela Lodge
Serondela Lodge
Serondela Lodge
Serondela Lodge
Serondela Lodge
Serondela Lodge
Serondela Lodge
Serondela Lodge

Serondela Lodge: Our full report

Priding itself on its eco-friendly and low-impact design, Serondela Lodge sits in a remote spot on the northern ...

... banks of the Chobe River, in the Zambezi Region of Namibia's eastern Caprivi. The lodge opened in March 2018, and with Botswana’s Chobe National Park on the other side of the river, is well located for some gentle wildlife viewing, relaxation and water-based activities.

Serondela has been built on high ground in the Kabulabula conservancy, and is accessible only by boat from Kasane in Botswana – a journey of around 45 minutes, or up to two hours if combined with a wildlife cruise.

Serondela prides itself on minimising its effect on the local environment. In a shift from the “standard” safari-camp style, it features plenty of curves, and makes use of both local and recycled materials, such as driftwood, cattle yokes, and upcycled PVC; it sounds bizarre, but it fits beautifully into the surrounding landscape.

Eight chalets are spaced out along the riverbank, on ground level decks. Designed to allow maximum game viewing from inside, the chalets are light and airy, each with large windows to the side and sliding glass and gauze doors at the front. Polished concrete floors are scattered with rattan rugs, and large mosquito nets envelop twin or double beds with contemporary fabric headboards. Burnished metal reading lamps hang over carved wooden tables at each side of the bed, and a low cushioned bench provides both seating and luggage storage. One family chalet has two additional day beds for children.

A door at the back of the chalet opens to reveal a spacious en-suite bathroom, simply designed with whitewashed walls, twin basins, glass and wood shelves, large mirrors and a quirky semi-circular shower cubicle. Woven rugs bring splashes of colour, candles in glass bowls give a stylish air, and complimentary toiletries are eco-friendly.

Outside, on a private deck, low, light-coloured concrete walls provide privacy from other chalets and shelter a small patio with chairs and a coffee table.

Just a short walk away, built around a big ana tree, Serondela’s roomy main area sits under three domed tented roofs, sheltering a large bar, dining area and lounge area. Cane furniture with comfortable cream cushions is scattered throughout, with half of the dining tables indoors, the others outside on additional decking.

A small swimming pool with sunloungers sits alongside a sandy area and wooden deck, under stretch shade, with beautiful views across the river. Though the majority of wildlife is found in the national park across the river, animals can often be seen crossing the river, and during our last visit, in May 2018, we watched a large herd of elephants swimming across in front of the lodge..

From the lodge’s location on the banks of the Chobe River, activities naturally revolve around the water, with fishing trips, boat cruises and birdwatching available. While wildlife on the Namibian side of the river is not particularly prolific, a game drive in Chobe National Park is included in a stay at Serondela. This generally takes place on your check-out day to facilitate getting to and from Kasane, in Botswana, and thus reducing travel time through immigration points. Village visits and nature walks are also possible, and at an additional cost, fishing trips, cultural tours and visits to Zimbabwe to see the Victoria Falls can be arranged.

Serondela is a sister lodge to Nkasa Lupala and Jackalberry Tented Camp, both in Namibia’s Nkasa Rupara National Park, so would combine well with either on a self-drive trip through Namibia.


Our view

Serondela occupies prime position on the Namibian side of the Chobe River with spectacular views across the river to Chobe National Park. In the dry season a procession of animals come to the river to drink and you'll hardly need to leave the comfort of the lodge to see them. However, in wet season, when the Chobe's great herds of elephant and buffalo disperse, you may not find the area's wildlife to be quite as prolific. Throughout the year, you will have the opportunity for one game drive within Chobe on your day of departure, but if wildlife viewing in a 4WD is a priority you might consider combining time here with one of the lodges within the National Park. Come here to stay at a lodge with a commendable commitment to minimising its ecological footprint on a peaceful and pretty remote stretch of the Chobe River and to enjoy river focused wildlife viewing, which is great for birdwatching too.

Tracy Lederer

Tracy Lederer

Namibia expert

Geographics

Location
Caprivi Strip, Namibia
Ideal length of stay
We'd recommend a stay of at least two nights here, to make the most of the activities on offer. Serondela works well as an add-on to a self-drive trip through Namibia.
Directions
Serondela is accessed by boat from Kasane in Botswana, which requires you to clear immigration in both Botswana and Namibia before your transfer to the lodge.
Accessible by
Self-drive or Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis
Full Board & Activities
Food quality
Though we didn’t have time to eat at Serondela Lodge during our last visit in May 2018, we were impressed with the food at its sister camps, so we’d expect a similarly high standard here.

Breakfast is served buffet style, with cooked options to order.

Lunch is flexible, depending on the number of guests and the activities each guest is taking part in.

Dinner is a fixed three-course menu, though sometimes there will be a braai or traditional buffet. The lodge team encourages hosted group meals, but private dining is also available if preferred.
Dining style
Mixture of group dining and individual tables
Dining locations
Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Further dining info, including room service
Room service is not available at the lodge.
Drinks included
Filtered water is provided in the rooms and at meals, though bottled water is also available. All soft drinks, local wines, beers and spirits are at additional cost.

Children

Attitude towards children
Children of all ages are welcome at Serondela.
Property’s age restrictions
None
Special activities & services
None provided
Equipment
Cots can be provided on request.
Generally recommended for children
Though there is no age limit at the lodge, we think Serondela Lodge is better suited to older children, due to its riverside location and the activities included.
Notes
Wild animals do enter camp at times, and there are no fences to the pool, or the river, so children should be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times.

Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Serondela

Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Serondela 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.

Buffalo

100% success

Eland

100% success

Elephant

100% success

Giraffe

100% success

Hippo

100% success

Leopard

100% success

Lion

100% success

Wildebeest

100% success

Zebra

100% success

Aardvark

0% success

Cheetah

0% success

Pangolin

0% success

Roan antelope

0% success

Sable antelope

0% success

Sitatunga

0% success

Spotted Hyena

0% success

Wild dog

0% success

Communications

Power supply notes
Serondela has a back-up generator on site. There are charging points in each chalet as well as in the main area.
Communications
3G WiFi signal is available in the main area. You'll find limited cellphone reception at Serondela.
TV & radio
There are no TVs at the lodge.
Water supply
Other
Water supply notes
Water is pumped from a borehole and is filtered and processed through a reverse osmosis system. The bathrooms are fully plumbed, with flush toilets and hot showers.

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended
Yes
Medical care
A first-aid trained member of staff is on site at all times. The closest doctor is in Kasane, which requires a 45-minute boat trip then a short drive. In the event of a serious incident, guests would be flown to Windhoek, from Kasane.
Dangerous animals
High Risk
Security measures
Serondela has both security guards patrolling in the day, and nightwatchmen. You will be escorted to and from your chalet before dawn and after dusk.
Fire safety
Fire extinguishers are located in each chalet as well as in the main area. Staff are trained in their use.

Activities

  • 4WD Safari

    4WD Safari

  • Birdwatching

    Birdwatching

  • Boat trip

    Boat trip

  • Cultural excursion

    Cultural excursion

  • Fishing

    Fishing

  • Guided walking safari

    Guided walking safari

Extras

Disabled access
Not Possible
Laundry facilities
A laundry service is available, at extra cost.
Money
There is a safe in each of the chalets for storing valuables. Currency exchange is not available.
Accepted payment on location
Payment is accepted by Mastercard and Visa, though the lodge is unable to accept American Express. It's also possible to pay in Botswana pula, Namibian dollars euro, British pounds or US dollars.

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