Serengeti Serena Lodge

The Seronera Gateway

Situated on a tree-shrouded bluff at an altitude of 4,893 feet, the lodge is perfectly positioned in the Central Serengeti. It sits roughly 45 minutes northwest of the Seronera Airstrip, placing guests at the doorstep of the park’s most productive wildlife loops.

The Early Start Advantage Because the lodge is just 9.5 miles from the heart of the valley, a 6:00 AM departure allows you to be game-driving the Seronera River by 6:45 AM. This is the “golden hour” when the famous Seronera lions are most active or seen guarding the remnants of a nocturnal kill. To the north and west lie the dense woodlands, while to the south and east, the infinite short-grass plains roll toward the horizon.

Nearby Game Circuits:

• Seronera Valley: The undisputed big cat capital of the world, home to high densities of leopard and lion.
• Makoma Hill: A panoramic lookout and a premier territory for the Serengeti’s cheetah populations.
• Retina Hippo Pool: A lively, muddy theater where hundreds of hippos “sing” and jostle in the river.
• Moru Kopjes: A short expedition south leads to the ancient Maasai Rock Paintings and the legendary “Gong Rock.”

Stone Rondavels

The lodge features 66 guest rooms housed within 22 distinctive two-level rondavels. Each hut captures a “primitive charm” while providing the consistent amenities of a fine international hotel.

The Guest Experience:

• Lofty Balconies: Every room features a private wooden balcony. From this height, you can watch the “molten African sun” simmer on the horizon as it sinks into the rolling plains.
• The View Tier: Each rondavel has one room on the top floor and two on the bottom. While identical in floor plan, the top-floor rooms offer the most expansive, unobstructed vistas across the savanna.
• African Chic: Interiors are tastefully decorated with leopard-print drapes, stone-encased bathrooms, and handcrafted furniture.

Modern Comfort: Rooms are equipped with 24-hour generator power, writing desks, and telephones for arranging those vital sunrise wake-up calls.

The Sizzling Furnace

Dining at the Serena is a sensory spectacle. The massive dining room is supported by pillars adorned with intricate carvings, creating a grand, theatrical atmosphere.

The culinary centerpiece is the barbeque furnace, a sizzling arena where chefs prepare fresh dishes to order. Meals are served buffet-style, featuring a rotating menu of international and local cuisines. For a truly immersive evening, the “Bush Dinner” experience takes you to a secluded area removed from the lodge. Under a star-filled sky, you’ll dine by the light of a blazing bonfire while traditional African performers share the vibrant music and dance of the region.