13 Day East African Explorer (Serena Lodges)

Kenya - The grand old dame of African safaris, Kenya has been at the forefront of the industry for decades, and with iconic reserves such as Masai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu and Tsavo, it has earned its place in safari royalty.
Kenya's wildlife is legendary, as is its hospitality, friendliness, and scenic beauty.  With the Great Rift Valley running through the country, Kenya is home to some stunning landscapes, with lakes, valleys and mountains adding to the beautiful plains of the Masai Mara.

To add to the spectacular wildlife, Kenya is one of the best countries to experience the local tribes and cultures, in particular the Masai and Samburu.  

Kenyan roads are notoriously bad however, so the majority of safaris we recommend are fly-in options to the various parks.   The small group scheduled safaris all operate by road, so you would need to be prepared for what is called "the African massage".

The diversity of areas to visit in Kenya is astounding, with each game reserve offering something truly unique.   And to top it off, the country has a splendid coastline which invites some pure relaxation after spending time in the bush.

The Serena group is renowned for offering excellent hotel facilities throughout East Africa, and the Nairobi Serena is no exception. A member of the Leading hotels of the World, the Nairobi Serena enjoys a location on the edge of the Central Park and the City Centre. Shaded by the glorious Jacaranda, Bougainvillea and Acacia trees and surrounded by lush, manicured gardens, the hotel provides a peaceful and luxurious retreat to travellers, business-people, and famous dignitaries in a bustling city.

Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge was created for adventurers with an African dream. With Mount Kilimanjaro soaring majestically just beyond the golden, acacia-specked savannah, the safari lodge offers a graceful blend of stark beauty and lavish comfort in the heart of Kenya’s Amboseli National Park.

Nestled in an acacia grove by a gentle mountain spring, our hotel, comprising a Maasai-inspired design, a garden restaurant and a palm-shaded swimming pool and sundeck, provides uninterrupted views of Mount Kilimanjaro and the surrounding landscape. In every detail, the ambience captures the essence of Maasai culture, warmth and indomitable spirit. The setting our Amboseli safari lodge is breathtakingly beautiful, the wildlife abundant and the cuisine, hospitality and amenities unrivalled.

Mornings bring stirring views of Kilimanjaro’s snow-capped peaks. Whether embarking on a safari to see “The Big Five” (elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and rhino), planting your very own tree as part of our Re-Forestation Programme, or enjoying a bush dinner and glass of wine as the bonfire cinders waft into the indigo night, your stay will be infused with unforgettable moments.

A land full of icons, with the names Serengeti, Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro and Zanzibar immediately evoking images of exotic locations and abundant wildlife.  A Tanzanian safari is an experience for all of the senses, and caters for every kind of traveller.

Tanzania is a country which was seemingly designed with the word "safari" in mind.  There are enough national parks and different safari activities to keep travellers coming back year on year, with the added benefit of easily combining beautiful tropical beaches with the wildlife rich plains.

A Tanzanian safari is a journey in the true sense of the word, with each itinerary feeling like an exploration out into the wilderness.   Moving from park to park, either by road or air, the countryside offers something new at each stop.

The plains of the Serengeti have become synonomous with an African safari, and by visiting the right areas and camps, you will be able to see the legendary wildebeest migration as it moves across the grasslands in constant search of fresh grazing and water.

To the south of the country are the remote reserves of Selous and Ruaha, while in the west you can trek into the mountains to witness chimpanzees along the shores of the mystical Lake Tanganyika.

After enjoying a long leisurely game drive between herds of wild animals and along miles of Africa’s seemingly endless roads, you come over a slight rise and the lodge appears almost immediately below you.  Built to blend in with the vastness of its surroundings, Tarangire Sopa Lodge lies hidden among the kopjes, ancient baobab and grasses of the Tarangire National Park - home to the greatest concentration of elephants in Africa. Many can be seen around the lodge, allowing visitors a close encounter.

Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge is an award-winning gem of a hotel in one of the most beautiful settings in Tanzania. Seamlessly blended high into an acacia-lined ridge, our African-style lodge and infinity pool offer panoramic views across the Serengeti’s vast, endless grasslands, where lions and cheetahs stalk their prey and massive migrating wildebeest herds darken the landscape in a relentless search for fresh grazing grounds.
 

Here, you will savour the ancient stillness and serenity of one of the most magnificent destinations on earth. Discover the warmth and cosiness of stone-built, traditionally thatched “rondavel” lodging. Dine under an indigo blanket of stars and enjoy unforgettable adventures and experiences ranging from private safaris and day trips to the prehistoric Ngorongoro Crater to Swahili lessons, guided nature walks and massage treatments.
 

Take pleasure in a Serengeti safari destination where time seemingly stands still and your room remains at the threshold of undisturbed, untamed Africa.

Tanzania’s prehistoric Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Eighth Wonder of the World, has yawned heavenward for millennia. Deep within its immense walls is a breath-taking blue-green landscape dotted with plains, lakes and forests; an eerie, otherworldly “land that time forgot” thick with massive bull elephants, rhinos, wildebeests and the highest concentration of lions in Africa. 

Nestled high above the plains into the Crater’s jagged rim, cloaked in river stone and indigenous vines, Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge is barely visible to the naked eye. Framed by arched stone passages and timbered decks, its torch-lit walls are adorned with stylized cave paintings. At the stone heart of the lodge burns a glowing fire, which is kept constantly alight. Rooms are looped around the Crater rim. Each has its own rock-enclosed balcony, and all enjoy completely uninterrupted views of the volcanic amphitheatre far below. Our Ngorongoro hotel lodge is a place that feels as ancient as the Crater itself, yet no modern comfort has been spared in an effort to bring you the best safari adventure in Africa and one of the most unique travel experiences in the world. 

Explore the Cradle of Mankind at Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge.