Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge

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Tanzania - North Circuit

Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge is a triumph of ecological and architectural fusion.

From: $190 pp Full Board.
From: £118 pp Full Board.

Overview

Perched on the jagged rim of the crater, wreathed in morning mist, camouflaged in river-stone and cloaked in indigenous creepers, the Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge is a triumph of ecological and architectural fusion. Sensitively constructed so as to take nothing from its environment whilst affording endless vistas over the heat-shimmering reaches of the crater below, the clustered boulder-built buildings of the Lodge hug the crater rim, linked by rope-lashed timber walkways that skirt the buttressed roots of ancient, liana-hung trees.

The interior, radiating out from the primeval log fire glowing at the heart of the Lodge, blends the concentrated hush of a game-viewing hide with the ochre, rust and charcoal images of a prehistoric cavern. Lit by flaming wall-lanterns, clad in gigantic volcanic boulders and decorated by the iron spears, bright-beaded robes and intricately carven artefacts of the Maasai, the Lodge is a unique blend of world-class luxury, timeless volcanic splendour and ethnic style. As for the views, from lilac-streaked sunrise, to indigo star-studded night, the immeasurably ancient Ngorongoro Crater delivers a theatre of vistas, most unchanged since the dawn of time.

Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge - Tanzania

Accommodation

Strung around the crater rim, each with its own rock-enclosed balcony, the rooms feature brass lamps, embossed leather headboards, wildwood mirrors, Maasai carvings and flamboyant prehistoric wall motifs depicting fleeing giraffes, stylised gazelle and plunging buffalo. Each room draws on a cave-grey, indigo-blue and jasper-red colour-scheme and enjoys uninterrupted views over the Crater's unmatched splendour.

At the end of an action-packed day, guests can also follow a gentle nature trail that loops around the Lodge through moss-hung glades and plunging ravines, take a guided walk to the Crater's rim, relax with a herbal massage, or watch as the burning sun sinks behind the mountains from a unique vantage point on the craggy heights of the Crater's rim.

74 x Total guest rooms
1x Suites
50 x Standard rooms (twin beds)
20 xStandard rooms (double beds)
4 x Standard rooms (triple beds)

Facilities

Dining

The Maasai-inspired, split-level dining and bar area features a two-tier wall of windows looking down on to the constantly changing vistas of the crater below, a traditional circular fireside meeting area, and a recurrent motif of massive 'prehistoric' cave paintings, stone-studded walls, Maasai spears and blazing jewel-hued wall lamps. The atmosphere is relaxed and candle-lit whilst the menu choices include traditional Maasai fare, long-time safari favourites and internationally themed menus alike.

Other activities

At Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, the main features of Serena Active are:

Morning wildlife walks around the lodge with our resident naturalist.
A full safari breakfast, cooked in the cool of an acacia grove on the Crater’s floor.
An open-air ‘Crater Barbecue Lunch’ by a hippo-filled pool on the Crater’s floor.
An action-packed selection of adventure hikes around the Ngorongoro Crater and the volcanoes of the nearby Crater Highlands.
Authentic displays of Maasai dance, song, performance and music.
A day trip to Olduvai Gorge, the ‘cradle of mankind’, and site of one of the most important and controversial Palaeolithic finds in recent history.
A visit to neighbouring ‘Empakaai ‘, a 300m deep crater dominated by a flamingo-frosted soda lake.
Visits to a selection of authentic Maasai villages, all of which belong to the national Cultural Tourism Programme and allow unique visits to Maasai homesteads, traditional cattle markets and women’s handicraft groups.
Atmospheric ‘Sundowners’, staged high on the caldera rim as the sinking sun sets the Crater ablaze.
Nightly wildlife and cultural talks, videos and film shows.

Additional Activities

Spectacular game drives around the Crater floor.
An intriguing selection of guided hikes around the crater, across the Serengeti Plains or amongst the volcanoes (some of them active) of the Crater Highlands.
Note: all Serena Active tours feature an armed escort, Maasai guide, picnics, snacks or alfresco ‘sundowners’.
Gentle nature trails around the hotel in the company of our resident naturalist.
Relaxing ‘après active’ massages.

Our opinion

The Ngorongoro Serena delivers everything that you would expect from the Serena brand with arguably the best views of any of their properties. We think it’s fair to say these will not be the best, nor the largest rooms you will stay in whilst on safari, but that is not what this property is about. Stay here for maximum convenience for the Ngoronogoro Crater below and one of the most amazing views your ever likely to see.

Need more info?
Please contact our Safari Experts now.

Call: 0044 (0)1227 753181