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Tailor-made safaris in Uganda, Rwanda & East Africa for unforgettable adventures Tailor-made safaris in Uganda, Rwanda & East Africa for unforgettable adventures
Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge

Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge

Western rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge sits on the western rim of the Ngorongoro Crater at around 2,300 metres, with views of the caldera from the bedrooms and from most of the public areas. It is often misty and cold up here, and the lodge is warm and sheltered by comparison.

The lodge is a good-value base for families and for a classic crater stay, with a fireplace in the bar, panoramic windows in the restaurant, and a short drive to the road that descends into the crater.

Setting

On the western rim of the Ngorongoro Crater at around 2,300 metres, with caldera views from the bedrooms.

Rooms

Seventy-five en-suite rooms with French doors to a small balcony, central heating and hot-water bottles.

Facilities

Restaurant with panoramic windows, bar with fireplace, decked terrace and free Wi-Fi.

Things to do

Crater descent, nature walks, a forest hike, Olduvai Gorge and evening Maasai dance.

Aerial view of the Ngorongoro Crater caldera floor, Tanzania

Activities

Most visitors come for the crater itself, and the lodge puts you within easy reach of it.

Aerial view of the Ngorongoro Crater caldera floor, Tanzania

Crater descent

The crater descent road is a short drive from the lodge, about half an hour including the approach. We recommend at least two nights so you can have a full day on the crater floor.

Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge

Walks and forest hike

The lodge offers a two-hour afternoon nature walk and a hike of around three hours in the forest with a park ranger.

Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge

Excursions

Day outings include Olduvai Gorge, a crater rim walk, the Empakaai Crater hike and a Lake Manyara safari.

Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge

Evening entertainment

Maasai dancers or an acrobatic show perform in the bar on most evenings.

Access & location

The lodge is about four hours’ drive from Arusha, or two hours from the Manyara airstrip, and around half an hour from the crater descent road. We arrange your transfers and pair it with the Serengeti or Tarangire.

Plan your trip: Ngorongoro Crater Tanzania safaris

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Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge

Facilities

Warm, wood-and-stone public rooms with crater views.

  • Restaurant
  • Bar with fireplace
  • Decked terrace
  • Curio shop
  • TV lounge
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Laundry

The restaurant is upstairs above the bar, with panoramic windows and fireplaces, and meals are on a full-board basis. The bar has a fireplace and a decked terrace, and there is a spacious deck for sundowners. Wi-Fi is free in the rooms and public areas, power runs round the clock, and a doctor is resident. There is no swimming pool or spa.

Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge balcony

Rooms & amenities

Rooms with a balcony and a view over the crater.

  • En suite
  • Crater views
  • Small balcony
  • Central heating
  • Hot-water bottles
  • Interconnecting rooms

Rooms have wooden floors, French doors opening on to a small balcony with crater views, central heating, hot-water bottles on cold nights, a safe and tea and coffee. Bathrooms have double basins and a walk-in shower. Eight sets of rooms interconnect for families, and balconies are not recommended for children under six. We confirm the room mix for your dates when we quote.

Stay at Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge with people who know the ground

Tell us when you hope to travel and what you most want to see. We will check availability, suggest the best way to combine this lodge with the rest of your trip, and quote it for your dates.

Guide and travelers observing a mountain gorilla in the forest during a trekking excursion