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Ngorongoro Serena Lodge


The Ngorongoro Serena Lodge offers basic-luxury accommodation with stunning views of the crater reserve. Accommodation is rock built and secure. While not the most authentic safari experience, the lodge is very well-located.


Accommodation at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge


The lodge offers 74 Standard Rooms and one Kimba Suite. All rooms have large private balconies over the crater. The décor is modern, if not contemporary, with Swahili touches and faux cave paintings. While comfortable this may seem rather trite compared to the natural beauty of the surroundings and the authenticity at various other safari camps. Some furniture and fittings may seem worn or sub-standard. Beds are not as comfortable as one would expect of a lodge with the Serena’s price-tag. Some rooms are smaller than others and not all views are as stunning as the hotel’s website suggests, but most are satisfactory. If you are very disappointed with your room staff may be able to facilitate a change (depending on the season).


Rooms feature direct dial telephone and WiFi, 24-hour room service, mineral water and toiletries, bathrobe and slippers. Safes and hairdryers are available from reception. Hot water in the region tends to be unreliable, even at some of the most luxry hotels.


The Kimba Suite features a king-sized double bed with walk-in mosquito net, a dressing area and a large en suite bathroom. The suite also includes its own lounge area with sofa, mini-bar, digital multi-channel TV and direct dial telephone. Stunning views can be had from both the lounge area and the large private balcony. Fruit and wine are provided on arrival.


Food and Drink at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge


The hotel offers breakfast lunch and dinner. Breakfast is served as a buffet with cooked English options and continental standards available. Similarly, lunch is buffet style. Meat, poultry, fish and vegetarian options should be available. Dinner is more formal and features soup, a salad buffet, starters, mains, puddings and cheese and biscuits. Produce is locally sourced where possible, as the hotel prides itself on supporting local communities.


Serena Lodge offers various ‘Bush Dining packages’. Crater dinners, lunches and even breakfasts for the early riser, are on offer. Ask at the hotel in order to arrange your outdoor eating.


Food at the lodge is generally good, however during busier seasons the buffet can get very crowded, while in quiet periods less choice will be available. Food tends to be bland to cater for package tour groups. The Lodge can arrange children’s meals.


Service at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge


The lodge offers an interpretation of luxury Western service. Many travellers to the region find this somewhat oppressive and formal. Furthermore the service can seem pushy as employees tend to expect tips and be forever asking what ‘additional services’ you are interested in (most of which incur extra charges). However, the staff are generally friendly and obliging with good English.


The service is tailored towards large package tour groups and the lodge attracts many older travellers who appreciate this ‘full-on’ service style.


The hotel offers a laundry and valet service, shoe-shining, conference facilities, babysitting service and 24 hour medical service. Wedding and honeymoon packages are available.


Thing to do at Serena Ngorongoro


As well as meals in the bush and crater-dining the hotel offers guided tours of the crater, sundowner cruises on the crater rim and guided tours with bird watching. Day trips to the Olduvai Gorge can also be organised.


Daytime and evening the hotel puts on lavish entertainment in the bar areas including Maasai Dances, live music and shows. There are often cultural talks at the hotel. The hotel also offers entertainment for children in the form of games and books available to borrow, and guides happy to tailor tours and presentations to a younger audience.



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