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Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge
Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge
Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge
Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge
Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge

Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge


2°23’0.5"S 34°42’12.1"E

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.

Lyndsey Marris

Lyndsey Marris

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.

Buffalo

100% success

Eland

100% success

Elephant

100% success

Giraffe

100% success

Hippo

100% success

Leopard

100% success

Lion

100% success

Spotted Hyena

100% success

Wildebeest

100% success

Zebra

100% success

Black Rhino

50% success

Cheetah

50% success

Roan antelope

50% success

Striped Hyena

50% success

Aardvark

0% success

Oryx

0% success

Pangolin

0% success

Wild dog

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

    4WD Safari

  • Birdwatching

    Birdwatching

  • Hot air ballooning

    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.

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