Ngorongoro Serena Lodge Hotel is perched on the jagged rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, wreathed in morning mist, camouflaged in river-stone and cloaked in indigenous creepers. Serena Safari Lodge Ngorongoro 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 Ngorongoro Conservation Area 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 Ngorongoro Serena 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 artifacts of the Maasai, the lodge is a unique blend of world-class luxury, timeless volcanic splendor and ethnic style. As for the views, from lilac-streaked sunrise, to indigo star-studded night, the immeasurably ancient Ngorongoro Crater & Conservation Area delivers a theatre of vistas, most unchanged since the dawn of time.
Ngorongoro Serena Lodge Hotel is a comfortable, large hotel on the southern rim of the Ngorongoro Crater Tanzania; well located for the wildlife at Ngorongoro. This is a conveniently placed Luxury Lodge from which to visit the Ngorongoro Crater. Ngorongoro Serena Safari lodge is perched on the southern rim of the Ngorongoro Crater at around 7500ft above sea level. The building is made of plant and ivy-covered native stone, which gives a slightly austere look close up. However, from the crater the reason for this design is evident as the building blends well with its surroundings.
Serena isn't a luxury lodge in the way that Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is, but of all the lodges at Ngorongoro Crater this is probably the safest bet if your budget doesn’t stretch to Crater Lodge Hotel. Most of the 75 guest rooms have private terraces with views over the Ngorongoro Crater and Highlands where countless animals make their home. The bar & dining areas are also well designed to take advantage of the lodge's exceptional situation. The food is good for a lodge of this size and the service, as in all Serena Hotels & Lodges, is good. Serena Lodge is the nearest lodge to the Ngorongoro Crater entrance, a big advantage when making those early morning starts.
Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge Hotel Accomodation
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, is fully air-conditioned 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.
Ngorongoro Serena has 75 rooms in different configuration to suite your taste and preference:
1 suite
1 standard room (triple bed)
8 standard rooms (double bed)
65 standard rooms (twin bed)
Each room draws on a cave-grey, indigo-blue and jasper-red colour-scheme and enjoys uninterrupted views over the Crater's unmatched splendour.
All rooms are well fitted with:
Fully air-conditioned
Telephones
Brass lamps
Embossed leather headboards
Wildwood mirrors
Maasai carvings and flamboyant prehistoric wall motifs depicting fleeing giraffes, stylized gazelle and plunging buffalo
Own rock-enclosed balcony
Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge Restaurant
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 favorites and internationally themed menus alike.
Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge Facilities:
Maasai-inspired, split-level dining area
Bar area
Full housekeeping services (laundry, valet, babysitting on request, house-nurses on call, children's menus and dining, and shoeshine)
Beauty treatments, massage and hairdressing
Fitness centre
Swimming pool
Gentle nature trail that loops around the Lodge
Guided walk to the Crater's rim
Visits to a selection of authentic Maasai villages
Nightly wildlife and cultural talks, videos and film shows
Vibrant cultural entertainments; selection of traditional music, culture and dance
Adventure hikes around the Ngorongoro Crater and the volcanoes of the nearby Crater Highlands
Wide range of board games
Internet connectivity
Library of books on Africa
Full medical back-up and emergency evacuation facilities
Currency exchange services
Africana Gift shop
Safari boutique
Rates based on fullboard basis and are inclusive of all taxes. Child under 2 years sharing a room with 1-2 adults is accommodated on a complimentary basis.
Child 2-12 years of age sharing a room with 2 adults is charged 50% of the adult rate.
If own room is required 75% of the adult rate is charged.
Young adult 13-17 years of age is charged 75% of the per person adult rate whether sharing or on their own.
Serena Hotel Group with lodges, hotels and safari tented camps in most of the popular National Parks and Lodges throughout Kenya and Tanzania, puts a great deal of effort in their service standards, and have won several service quality awards. Conde Nast, just placed several Serena's hotels in its prestigious 2003 GOLD LIST of The World's Best Places to Stay.
They typically award points under five headings - rooms, service, food, design and activities - and up there amongst the best in the Africa/Middle East section was Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge (83.7 points out of a possible 100). The Serena Hotels & Lodge have also been featured among '500 of the Greatest Hotels in the World'listing by Travel & Leisure Magazine in their January 2003 issue. Furthermore, Serena properties are members of the Green Globe organization sponsored by the World Travel and Tourism Council. Serena's Tanzania properties were recently awarded a Green Globe Distinction for fulfilling all of the criteria of the Rio Earth Summit's, Agenda 21 items. These are all important facts for our organization when we customize safaris.
