Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge

You’ll find the lodge just west of Mto wa Mbu village, at the extreme northern tip of the Lake Manyara National Park. Its strategic location is ideal for those visiting that park but is also convenient for those heading to the Ngorongoro Crater and Karatu.

By road from Arusha, the journey is around 120km and takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes. As the Lake Manyara Airstrip is just 4km away, it would be possible to arrive by taking an internal flight from Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airports, which is only a 60-minute flight and a 10-minute drive from the airstrip to the lodge.

The lodge is only a ten-minute drive from the gate, so fantastic wildlife is on your doorstep.

Guests can book either a standard room or the deluxe Losmingori Suite.

Our standard rooms are all positioned just back from the cliff edge, ensuring that all guests get the most tremendous, unforgettable views. Accommodation is in two-story, whitewashed circular ‘rondavels,’ each with a compact veranda. Maasai culture and landscapes influence interior decoration – very stylish and soothing. Amenities include a veranda, one king-size or two twin beds (triple on request), coffee/tea-making, toiletries, bathrobe, slippers, free Wi-fi, room safe, desk, and hairdryer.

The height of elegance and luxury, our suite enjoys views of Lake Manyara and the Losimingori Mountain. Colors reflect the pinks and blues of the waters (and flamingoes!) below; the vast bedroom is impeccably appointed with a mosquito-netted, king-sized double bed. You’ll find a dressing area and a separate sitting room (also with spectacular views) furnished with multi-channel TV, a minibar, and an internal phone. The en suite bathroom is in cool marble. A spacious balcony looks down to the lodge’s infinity pool. On arrival, you will be welcomed with fruit and wine. The suite is set slightly apart from our other accommodations and enjoys private access.

Amenities include:

• A separate sitting room,
• Balcony,
• Free Wi-fi,
• Minibar,
• Multi-channel TV,
• Coffee/tea-making facilities,
• Welcome fruit and wine,
• Bathrobes and slippers,
• Hairdryer,
• Desk and room safe.

We do have insect repellents in the rooms. We suggest you wear a long-sleeved shirt and full pants (trousers) whenever possible, especially during game drives.

The lodge restaurant is fashioned to resemble a Maasai’ boma‘ (community enclosure), traditionally styled and with a great dining ambiance. Breakfast is an international-style buffet with local, high-quality Tanzanian coffee and tea. A full English breakfast is available, too!

Buffet lunch includes all meat, chicken, fish, and vegetarian choices. Dinner will be a multi-course table d’hôte with menus offering a salad buffet, soup, a main course, dessert, cheese and biscuits, and tea or coffee. Vegetarians are also catered for. The lodge sources much of its meat, dairy, and produce from the local communities around the region.

Guests are welcome to learn some of the cooking skills, too.

A good wine selection and local and imported beers and spirits are available. You can also choose to dine on the terrace, with its lake views. This is also where we organize BBQs and is the venue for our evening traditional dance and music performances.

Yes, of course! You can choose a ‘Bush Breakfast,’ ‘Bush Dinner,’ sundowner, or ‘Village Lunch.’

The venue for this special experience is on top of the escarpment, with unforgettable views across the lake. Just a short stroll from the lodge, a team of chefs will prepare your full English breakfast, cooked before your eyes on glowing charcoals.

If you are on an early game drive, we can provide a picnic breakfast in the bush (no extra charge). Or we can prepare something special for you!

Well, we have a variety of venues at which you can enjoy a drink as the sun sinks below the horizon. Usually, these are either in the national park or up on the escarpment.

We will take you, by vehicle or on foot, to your preferred location, where you will discover seats, lights, a campfire, and a bush bar for you. We can even provide musical entertainment, should you so wish.

The lodge participates in the Mbu Cultural Tourism Programme, run by the local community, and organizes the ‘Village Lunch.’ It includes a guided village tour, a great insight into the daily life of local villagers, and a buffet lunch in the leafy banana plantations.

Yes – loads! The following can be undertaken, some at extra charge:

Village tour by tuk-tuk, village walk, mountain biking (forest or lakeside), night game drive with ‘Bush Dinner;’ canoeing on Lake Manyara, archery, painting with watercolors, jogging, ‘Swahili Canteen’ (see below), body-stretch, breakfast in Lake Manyara National Park, ‘village lunch,’ private sundowners with drinks, canapés, music, and entertainment, themed ‘bush dinner,’ events at our dedicated BBQ bush dinner area, with traditional dance and cultural performances, poolside cocktail receptions, aromatic massages.

This activity allows you to taste several Tanzanian dishes nearby Mto wa Mbu village.

Please note that at the moment, we only accept cash payments in Euros, Tanzanian Shillings, and American Dollars printed after 2009.