Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge Review – A Luxury Wilderness Getaway

Hidden in an acacia-lined ridge overlooking the Serengeti’s vast grasslands, the Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge blends seamlessly into nature. With its traditional African architecture, guests are immersed not only in their surroundings but also in the local Masaai culture. 

My friends and I stayed at the Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge after one of our many treks up Kilimanjaro. The Serengeti landscape stands in stark contrast to those mountain peaks, teeming with rich grasslands and diverse wildlife you're unlikely to encounter elsewhere in the world. 

In this article, I'll share my best insights on what the Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge offers its guests and why it is one of the more inspiring hotels in the Serengeti.

Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge Review

The Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge is centred around an edgeless swimming pool, aptly designed to reflect the endless plains that give the Serengeti its name. It offers a timbered safari bar and terrace to appreciate the magnificent views, as well as a private balcony in each room.  

The natural architecture of the Serengeti is mirrored by the hand-carved construction of the lodge’s dining hall and restaurant. For a touch of adventure, choose one of the provided extraordinary dining experiences including hot air balloon rides ended by a full English breakfast or dine under the stars with a bush dinner.

The Masaai inspired rooms are clustered together in a village-like layout, decorated with earthy tones, stone and wood. Choose from a standard room or an executive suite for an elevated, more private experience on your Tanzanian safari at the Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge. 

Location and Views at the Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge

Located in the Kyabatero Hills, northwest of Seronera and adjacent to the famous Western Corridor and Grumeti River. The Seronera airstrip is 27 km from the lodge, which is around a 30-minute drive. The lodge is also situated close to the world-famous birthplace of mankind, the site of the Olduvai Gorge.

It is set on a hill with the rolling Serengeti plains below, offering you a front-row seat of the incredible annual Wildebeest migration. Your eyes will sweep across the panoramic views, spotting predators and prey, from your room’s balcony or the edge of the infinity pool. The grounds are cooled by the groves of acacia trees and watered by many sparkling streams. 

Encounter the wild close-up with a game drive in one of the lodge’s custom-built vehicles, or take a guided tour by foot, experiencing the peace of the bush by watching over 1,000 species of birds. To add a sense of magic, float above the savannah plains in a hot air balloon, spotting the game below. Enjoy evening entertainment featuring cultural dance and music.  
 
You can make use of the kids club, offering many kid’s activities to keep the whole family entertained. Guests can also organise a babysitter anytime, which is provided by the lodge.

Rooms at the Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge

The rooms in the Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge were designed to preserve the essence of the lodge’s surroundings. There are 65 rooms and one executive suite, forming clusters of “rondavels” with curved stone walls, thatched roofs and décor which brings the outdoors in. Browns, reds and oranges mimic the colours of the Serengeti plains, with splashes of coloured fabric representing the vibrancy of the wildlife.

Experience the solitude of this wilderness from the canvas director’s chairs on your private balcony, which gazes onto the sweeping grasslands. Inside the standard rooms, the tiles are dotted with African rugs and the walls with traditional prints. They feature a king bed and handmade wooden furniture. 

The Executive Serengeti Suite offers a king-sized bed, marble furnished en-suite bathroom and an elegant sitting room boasting a multi-channel TV. Arrive to a fully stocked mini-fridge and a platter of fruit and wine for a taste of luxury. This suite is set apart from the other rooms, offering a sense of privacy and peaceful solitude.

The lodge also offers interconnecting family rooms. Prices range from USD$225 per night for two people in a standard room to USD$710 per night for two people in the executive suite. 

Read more in our guide about typical accommodation costs for Tanzanian safaris. 

Amenities at the Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge

One of the lodge’s most eye-catching features is its infinity swimming pool, which is complemented by a breathtaking view. The pool is accompanied by a safari bar with a timbered terrace, a braai or barbeque area and a scenic water garden. 

The Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge's restaurant boasts stunning architecture and a one-of-a-kind dining hall to elevate your dining experiences.  

The lodge has an onsite gift shop and business centre with available Wi-Fi. They also provide currency exchange, baggage storage, laundry and dry-cleaning services.

Food and Drink at the Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge

The Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge restaurant offers an authentic Tanzanian dining experience. The dining room boasts high-domed halls and towering papyrus-topped pillars with traditional Makonde carvings decorating the walls. 

Breakfast is served between 6:00 and 9:30, offering a variety of meats, bread, pastries and fully cooked options. Dinner is served between 19:30 and 21:30 and includes soups and salads to start, meats, curries, pasta, veg and rice as a main course, and a dessert buffet to end the meal.  

The lodge offers a few extraordinary dining experiences to its guests. The Serengeti bush lunch or dinner is set on the scenic plains or at the bush dining site which overlooks the migration corridor. In the evening, you will be met with a warm campfire setting where you can sit and listen to the traditional marimba music and watch your 5-course meal be prepared by the Chefs cooking in front of you. 

Or ascend into the early morning air, after a hot cup of coffee, to gaze upon the Serengeti from a bird’s eye view. The hot air balloon will drift peacefully over the scenery, dipping down at the hippo pools of the Grumeti River. After your flight, you will be served a full English breakfast which is cooked on the burners of the hot air balloon. This truly magical experience is concluded with a peaceful game drive back to the lodge.  

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed my Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge Review! But don't take my word for it - visit the Serengeti today and experience everything this luxury lodge has to offer.