Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge

Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge is a luxury 4-star hotel standing high on a bluff overlooking the gleaming waters of Lake Manyara, situated on the edge of the Mto Wa Mbu escarpment with panoramic views over the glittering alkaline waters of Lake Manyara and the vast Great Rift Valley. The lodge is positioned just 15 minutes from the park gate and Manyara airstrip, and under two hours from Arusha, offering a peaceful location amidst rich wildlife and unsurpassed tranquility of Lake Manyara National Park. Antelope and baboons roam the grounds, and the lodge offers easy access to the nearby national park.

Rooms

The lodge features 54-67 circular two-storey "rondavels" inspired by traditional Maasai bomas (Manyatta-style), each with conical thatch roofs, thick whitewashed walls, and private verandas overlooking the escarpment. Rooms include 21 double, 30 twin, 15 triple rooms, 10 pairs of connecting rooms ideal for families, plus the Losimingori Suite – a roomy, elegant suite with marble bathroom, lounge, minibar, and terrace with panoramic views. All rooms are spacious with private balconies and private verandas having panoramic views of the Great Rift Valley and the soda Lake Manyara, with vibrant frescos depicting migratory bird patterns, swirling Maasai boma motifs, and local landscapes.

Facilities

Facilities include a stunning infinity vanishing horizon pool (one of the most spectacular in Tanzania) with poolside bar, central dining under a cathedral-like thatched roof (the "Flamingo Restaurant"), a lounge/library, gift shop, Wi-Fi in public areas, laundry and valet services, and spa/massage treatments on request. The infinity pool is a focal point encouraging guests to soak up views for longer, perfect for sipping cocktails after game viewing. The lodge features vibrantly colorful frescos throughout and offers good standard food with splendid breakfasts.

Dining

Meals range from buffet-style breakfast and lunch to set menu options for dinner, served in the dining room or on the terrace. Dining draws on produce sourced from nearby communities, and the lodge offers candlelit bush dinners on the escarpment. Evenings are enlivened by Maasai dance performances, storytelling, evening music entertainment around camp-fires, and educational talks led by resident naturalists. The excellent cuisine means you won't leave for game drives on an empty stomach.

Activities

The lodge offers unique high-adventure activities: morning and evening game drives into Lake Manyara National Park (home to elephants, giraffes, hippos, flamingoes, and rare tree-climbing lions), guided nature and bird walks, mountain biking, canoeing on the lake, boat cruises, forest walks, archery, water-colour painting, traditional instrument lessons, cooking classes, Swahili instruction, cultural visits to neighboring villages with music and dance displays by local Iraqw and Sukuma people, night game drives, and hiking. Wildlife walks with resident naturalists are popular, and the lodge has great facilities for all the family.