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Ngorongoro Serena Lodge
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UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZ | | Location: | | NgoroNgoro kráter | | Description: | | The surrounding area
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) was established in 1959, most of it having previously belonged to the now contiguous Serengeti National Park. And, surprisingly, the Ngorongoro Crater is only one of many natural attractions that are contained within its vast boundaries (8,300 sq km). These include both dormant and active volcanoes, soaring mountains, archaeological treasures, rolling plains, rivers, forests, lakes and shifting sand dunes whilst almost half of the NCA is made up of vast tracts of open grassland, which swing in a vast arc stretching from the Serengeti in the northwest through the Gol Mountains to the Salei Plain in the northeast. Close to the centre of the NCA is Olduvai Gorge, the ‘Cradle of Mankind’, where the remains of our earliest ancestors, the hominids, were found. To the west lie the alkaline lakes of Ndutu and Masek, to the south Lake Eyasi and to the north the shimmering waters of alkaline Lake Natron. The Crater Highlands consist of an elevated range of volcanoes, craters and collapsed volcanoes (calderas) that rise from the side of The Great Rift Valley. Its peaks include Oldeani (3216m), Lemagurut (3107m), Olmoti (3100m), Loolmalasin (3648m), Empakaai (3262m) and the still active Oldoinyo Lengai (2878m), as well as the Ngorongoro Crater (2200m)
Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
Perched on the jagged rim of the crater, wreathed in morning mist, camouflaged in river-stone and cloaked in indigenous creepers, the Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge is a triumph of ecological and architectural fusion. Sensitively constructed so as to take nothing from its environment whilst affording endless vistas over the heat-shimmering reaches of the crater below, the clustered boulder-built buildings of the Lodge hug the crater rim, linked by rope-lashed timber walkways that skirt the buttressed roots of ancient, liana-hung trees.
The interior, radiating out from the primeval log fire glowing at the heart of the Lodge, blends the concentrated hush of a game-viewing hide with the ochre, rust and charcoal images of a prehistoric cavern. Lit by flaming wall-lanterns, clad in gigantic volcanic boulders and decorated by the iron spears, bright-beaded robes and intricately carven artefacts of the Maasai, the Lodge is a unique blend of world-class luxury, timeless volcanic splendour and ethnic style. As for the views, from lilac-streaked sunrise, to indigo star-studded night, the immeasurably ancient Ngorongoro Crater delivers a theatre of vistas, most unchanged since the dawn of time.
Rooms
Strung around the crater rim, each with its own rock-enclosed balcony, the rooms feature brass lamps, embossed leather headboards, wildwood mirrors, Maasai carvings and flamboyant prehistoric wall motifs depicting fleeing giraffes, stylised gazelle and plunging buffalo. Each room draws on a cave-grey, indigo-blue and jasper-red colour-scheme, is fully air-conditioned and enjoys uninterrupted views over the Crater's unmatched splendour.
At the end of an action-packed day, guests can also follow a gentle nature trail that loops around the Lodge through moss-hung glades and plunging ravines, take a guided walk to the Crater's rim, relax with a herbal massage, or watch as the burning sun sinks behind the mountains from a unique vantage point on the craggy heights of the Crater's rim.
Dining
The Maasai-inspired, split-level dining and bar area features a two-tier wall of windows looking down on to the constantly changing vistas of the crater below, a traditional circular fireside meeting area, and a recurrent motif of massive 'prehistoric' cave paintings, stone-studded walls, Maasai spears and blazing jewel-hued wall lamps. The atmosphere is relaxed and candle-lit whilst the menu choices include traditional Maasai fare, long-time safari favourites and internationally themed menus alike.
Services include:
An imaginative range of Crater breakfasts, barbecue lunches, atmospheric sundowners and vibrant cultural entertainments.
Action-packed forays into the wildlife-teeming world of the crater.
A vibrant selection of traditional music, culture and dance.
The 'Serena Active' selection of high-action adventure activities.
Beauty treatments, massage and hairdressing.
Extensively stocked Africana Gift shop and Safari boutique.
Internet connectivity and a wide range of board games plus a full library of books on Africa.
Full housekeeping services (laundry, valet, babysitting on request, house-nurses on call, children's menus and dining, and shoeshine). Plus hairdryers and telephones in all rooms.
Full medical back-up and emergency evacuation facilities.
Express check in and out and 24-hour Forex facilities (check in time: 14h00 - check out time: 11h00).
Currency exchange services.
Serena Active
Morning wildlife walks around the lodge with our resident naturalist
A full safari breakfast, cooked in the cool of an acacia grove on the Crater’s floor
An open-air ‘Crater Barbecue Lunch’ by a hippo-filled pool on the Crater’s floor
An action-packed selection of adventure hikes around the Ngorongoro Crater and the volcanoes of the nearby Crater Highlands
Authentic displays of Maasai dance, song, performance and music
A day trip to Olduvai Gorge, the ‘cradle of mankind’, and site of one of the most important and controversial Palaeolithic finds in recent history
A visit to neighbouring ‘Empakaai ‘, a 300m deep crater dominated by a flamingo-frosted soda lake
Visits to a selection of authentic Maasai villages, all of which belong to the national Cultural Tourism Programme and allow unique visits to Maasai homesteads, traditional cattle markets and women’s handicraft groups
Atmospheric ‘Sundowners’, staged high on the caldera rim as the sinking sun sets the Crater ablaze
Nightly wildlife and cultural talks, videos and film shows | | Type of accommodation: | | hotel | | Location: | | National park - protected landscape area | | Star rating: | | | | Fittings: | | | | Sport in place: | | | | Sport in neighborhood: | | |
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