Who doesn’t love hotels that are located amidst the nature offering stunning views and some much-needed rest and peace? And this exactly what I was looking forward to while planning my safari trip in Tanzania. When I put forward my requirements to Easy Travel and Tours, Tanzania while booking my trip, they provided me a package that included one night stay at luxury Serena Lodge (Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater respectively) and on my husband’s request they offered us other 2 nights camping in the wilderness of Serengeti National Park.
Related post: 48 hours in Serengeti National Park
Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge
The Serena Lodge at Lake Manyara is located at Mto wa Mbu which is a mere 15 minutes drive from the Lake Manyara National Park. The lodge is perched on the edge of a cliff offering an uninterrupted view of Lake Manyara National Park. We had taken an early morning flight from Dar Es Salaam to Arusha, from where we drove to the National Park which was followed by the adventurous game drive, we were kind off exhausted and ready to crash for the day.
Related post: Game drive experience at Lake Manyara National Park
We reached the lodge around sunset, although tired I was delighted to finally have an up-close look at the lodge (after browsing through the pictures on the internet a billion times ;)). The lodge is very rustic and cozy and as I walked towards our room from the reception I felt rejuvenated just by looking at the beautiful surroundings of the lodge.
The rooms are built in traditional African style house “Rondavel”, a circular structure with a thatched roof and the interiors showcase beautiful Masai artwork. The highlight of staying here is that every room has the advantage of scenic view the lake from the private balcony attached. We had our room on the first floor of the cottage, and the best part of the room was along with the panoramic view of the lake, the lodge infinity pool was also in sight. As a part of the honeymoon package, the very gracious hotel staff decorated our room with flowers and also got us a delicious cake to celebrate, which indeed very sweet of them.
After settling down and taking a quick tour of the property, my husband and I decided to take a dip in the infinity pool and watch the sun disappearing across the valley. We then head to the dining area to have our dinner as we were famished after are a busy day we had. On prior request for vegetarian food, the main chef offered us a delicious 4-course meal freshly made from local produce. The dining area is a spacious hall which has both indoor seating as well as outdoor. I loved how the interiors of the dining area were done with chandeliers made of jute adorning the roof and simple white walls with branch-like structures swirling all around the room giving it a very simple yet classy look.
The morning breakfast is also served in the dining room, which included loads of tropical fruits, pancakes, freshly brewed African tea and coffee. I loved sitting in the outdoors, watching the lake at the distance, listening to the bird’s chirp and the fresh morning breeze, it was all a haven for city dwellers like us.
After the sinful breakfast, we bid adieu to the lodge and Lake Manyara and started our journey towards the Serengeti National Park. Although our stay at the Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge was very short, it was surely a perfect one thanks to the beautiful location, amazing staff, and the delicious food.
Our stay at the Serena Lodge was part of the package for the safari with the Easy Travel.
To know more Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge click here.
Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge
Lake Manyara National Park
Mto wa Mbu Escarpment, Northern Tanzania
Tel: (+255) 787444003/ 28253961
Fax: (+255) 272545368/ 272539164
Email: lakemanyara@serena.co.tz
TOTS were the guests at Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge, these are our opinions based on the stay experience.
I love this place. Stayed once a while back.
Oh thats amazing!! Hope you had lovely time as I did :).
The place certainly looks wonderful and relaxing! The greenery surrounding it is adding the much needed nature healing. I too love such places to call it a day or just spend time there to heal in all senses. Rooms .
Totally agree with you. You feel so rested just looking at the surrounding like these.
Indeed a very beautiful place to stay. thanks for sharing the info.
Your welcome 🙂
Such a lovely place!
The infinity pool and the interior design of the place look amazing. I also love to eat fruits every morning. The location looks very relaxing. The thatched roof looks beautiful too. I would really like to visit this place someday.
It’s a beautiful property, I’m sure you will enjoy your stay.
This lodge looks amazing. That pool. The bed. The adorable little hut. Just on visual beauty alone I’d love to stay here! So glad that the chef could cater for you too.
Yes, that was really sweet of him to prepare a special meal for us.
Beautiful experience. The cottage looks very nice.
Thank you Rajesh.
Beautiful setting. I know so little about Tanzania. It would be great to find out more about the country too. Thanks for sharing your experience and beautiful photos!
Your welcome Grace! Tanzania is a beautiful country filled with natural beauty and wildlife.
What a cosy place. Even if they didn’t have all the facilities, I would stay there for that gorgeous view from the window.
Yes, the view itself beats all the facilities of the place.
Wow what a picturesque location – it looks absolutely beautiful, especially that infinity pool! Would love to make it to Tanzania someday will have to add this onto our list! Glad you enjoyed your stay.
Thank you Rosie.
What a unique hotel. I love the infinity pool, perfect for a dip before dinner. The food sounds sensational as well. Glad you enjoyed your stay!
Thank you Allison. It was a very memorable stay for us.
Serena Lodge looks gorgeous and so well situated in nature. That infinity pool is so inviting — I want to dive right in. Loved that they made you a special veggie meal.
Yes, the meal preparations really made our day :).
That place looks amazing, the views from the room are beautiful. I would love to spend time in a place like that and relax in that pool. I haven’t been to Africa yet but am certainly looking forward to it.
Thank you Clare! The lodge was a perfect retreat for us after the safari.
The infinity pool is simply amazing, with its location high above and the stunning views across the valley. The cottages are so cute, I really like that they are decorated with original Masai motifs. I would love to stay there and experience the local hospitality.
You actually can stay with the local tribes, we missed out on that as we had very little time during the stay.
This is the perfect place to stay whilst going for a safari. The infinity pool looks amazing and the view from it too! The tropical fruits for breakfast must have been delicious.
Oh yes, they were utterly delicious! The view from the edge of the pool is totally stunning.
The place looks amazing, food great and the infinity pool refreshing. Sounds like you had a great time !
I had an amazing time at the lodge 🙂
What beautiful surroundings. And I’m so in love with the Rondavel. It looks so cute!!!!
Haha, it is cute and super cozy!
It looks like a beautiful and peaceful property. I loved the view from infinity pool.
It was a magical place and the view was my favourite part of the stay.
I would say this is unquestionably the best property you would have stayed in! It would surely have been for me…Just look at the view!
Such places are what I look for on my trips, but hard to find.
It was indeed one of the bestproperty I have ever stayed in during my travels. It was a gem of a place.
Wow that is a good selection. I ll put it on my bucket list. Thanks a lot for sharing
Your welcome :).
What a gorgeous place to stay! The food looked divine! I too live in the city and there is nothing like getting out in nature where you can’t hear cars and can just soak up the sounds and fresh smells!
I agree! nothing can beat the feeling of enjoying nature and fresh air :).
East Africa is high on my list to visit! I love the pictures that you add to your post.
Thank you for sharing!
Your welcome!
Lovely place and so well described!
Thank you
Any place that is amidst greenery is a definite must stay. looks so peaceful! I am bookmarking this place 🙂
Thats great! Do check it out when you are planning a Tanzania trip.
Just my kind of get away !
Thank you Preeti, glad you liked it 🙂
This place looks perfect! I love a relaxing yet authentic experience. Totally a must see.
The lodge sure is a must stay place while at Lake Manyara.
Luxury in a pristine setting. How luxurious from all of the details in the room to the fresh breakfast.
Yep, it definitely is out of the world experience!
What a beautiful place to stay! That pool looks so stunning…. the views must have been so amazing also! Glad you enjoyed your experience. 🙂
Thank you Jackie!
Ahhhh this has me so excited for our safari in September!!! Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge looks absolutely beautiful and the hotel room and swimming pool views are breathtaking. It sounds like they went above and beyond and y’all had a great visit.
Yes, the staff made sure we had the one of the most memorable stay there.
What lovely places you have been to. I have still to visit Africa Mainland. (i have been to Mauritius which is also Africa). The cottages look quite beautiful and affords privacy , I am sure. All in all a nice sojourn before getting on with the “real things” that is the National Parks.