Ngorongoro Serena Lodge
traditional Camp | Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
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There are few lodges on the African continent that command such a magnificent view. Regularly voted one of the best hotels in the world, Ngorongoro Serena Lodge clings to the rim of the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater, the largest and most perfect volcanic crater on Earth and one of Africa’s most renowned wildlife reserves. The centerpiece of a visit to this lodge is a safari onto the crater floor where wildlife density and diversity are unrivaled.
Our Expert Says
This is a large hotel, there's no way around that. But the views are fabulous and the access to the park very good. Try taking a walk on the trail leaving the lodge up to the top of the rim. You'll find authentic villages plus views into the Crater and the edge of Serengeti Plains on the other side.
– Greg Courter
The Lodge
Location: Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Number of Rooms: 75
Hugging the contours of the jagged crater rim, the design and décor of Ngorongoro Serena Lodge was inspired by the ‘Cradle of Mankind,’ the prehistoric site at Olduvai Gorge, which lies close by. The lodge is built in a unique architectural design; constructed of stone and linked by rope and wood walkways it blends seamlessly into the hillside. The main area fans out along the crater rim, offering sweeping views of the floor far below. The main lounge, dining room and living areas are cozy hideaways, warmed to take the edge off the cool temperatures of the highlands. The 75 rooms, each with private veranda, are spread out on two levels; all are en suite and appointed with ethnic décor. While the lodge is larger than some other accommodations, it offers commensurate services and boasts an unparalleled location in the Ngorongoro area, an important consideration on northern Tanzania itineraries.
Facilities & Amenities
- En suite bathroom with shower
- Shampoo and soap
- Hair dryer upon request
- 220v charging outlets in room
- In-room safe
- Massage treatments (extra cost)
- Wi-Fi in room
- Laundry (extra cost)
- Drinks not included
- Credit cards accepted (Visa, MasterCard, Diner's, American Express)
- No air conditioning (not needed)
Wildlife Viewing & Activities
The Ngorongoro Crater is rightly considered one of the wonders of the natural world. Here, within the precipitous confines of the world's largest unbroken volcanic caldera, we find one of the densest concentrations of game in all of Africa. The crater is just 100 square miles in area but offers a diversity of habitats including acacia forest, swamp, woodland, short grass, long grass and riverine habitats. The park is famous for its lion, cheetah, old bull elephants, Cape buffalo, herds of wildebeest and amazing bird life. The crater also boasts the world’s highest density of hyena, which compete fiercely with the dominant lion population for food. If lucky, guests may catch sight of the black rhino – a rare treat in northern Tanzania. In addition to daily nature drives, activities here include sundowners on the rim of the crater, picnic lunches, nightly Maasai dance and theater performances, and visits to Maasai villages and cattle markets.
The below chart helps to illustrate major wildlife sightings often experienced in the Ngorongoro Crater. Seasonally, flamingos may be seen on the lake, and there is always a high concentration of antelopes and predators. Other typical sightings may include gazelles, warthog, ostrich and a number of other mammals, birds and reptiles. Exact sightings will depend on seasonality and wildlife movements.
| Country | Park/Reserve |
Black Rhino
|
Buffalo
|
Cheetah
|
Eland
|
Elephant
|
Gemsbok / Oryx
|
Hippo
|
Hyena
|
Leopard
|
Lion
|
Wildebeest
|
Zebra
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tanzania | Ngorongoro Crater |
| Usually viewed | Frequently viewed | Occasionally viewed | Sporadically viewed | Rarely to never viewed |
Climate
| Month | Max | Min | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 77° F | 57° F | 1.65 in |
| 25° C | 13° C | 42 mm | |
| February | 79° F | 57° F | 1.54 in |
| 26° C | 13° C | 39 mm | |
| March | 79° F | 59° F | 2.64 in |
| 26° C | 15° C | 67 mm | |
| April | 75° F | 59° F | 5.87 in |
| 23° C | 15° C | 149 mm | |
| May | 73° F | 55° F | 4.37 in |
| 22° C | 12° C | 111 mm | |
| June | 72° F | 52° F | 1.1 in |
| 22° C | 11° C | 28 mm | |
| July | 70° F | 54° F | 0.47 in |
| 21° C | 12° C | 12 mm | |
| August | 72° F | 54° F | 0.47 in |
| 22° C | 12° C | 12 mm | |
| September | 75° F | 54° F | 0.98 in |
| 23° C | 12° C | 25 mm | |
| October | 77° F | 57° F | 1.69 in |
| 25° C | 13° C | 43 mm | |
| November | 73° F | 59° F | 4.69 in |
| 22° C | 15° C | 119 mm | |
| December | 73° F | 59° F | 2.99 in |
| 22° C | 15° C | 76 mm |
Conservation
Ngorongoro Serena Lodge is engaged in several conservation and community development initiatives designed to restore and protect the environment and benefit local people. The lodge supports an indigenous tree-planting program on its property and at the nearby Oloirobi Primary School, and is actively engaged in invasive species control and eradication programs. The lodge also directly supports the school through donations and by organizing tours for guests who are often compelled to make donations of their own, which recently resulted in the construction of two much-needed classrooms and a teacher’s residence for the school. Ngorongoro Serena Lodge hosts a Maasai craft market, where local women can sell their handiwork to guests, providing the women with an important source of income. Understanding that the preservation of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Tanzania’s environment as a whole depends on the people who live here, Ngoronogoro Serena Lodge provides conservation awareness training to its staff and to members of local communities.
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