As with the other Serena properties in the area – Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge and the, Serengeti Serena near Seronera – the Lake Manyara Serena Lodge is big. It can accommodate up to 145 guests and is largely impersonal but is in a stunning location. It sits high up on a cliff edge and has spectacular views over Lake Manyara National Park.
Lake Manyara Serena Lodge is close to the main tarmac highway, down a short private road. It has been constructed largely out of stone, thatch and dark wood. Green creepers and mature bushes border stone paths which lead from the main areas to the bedrooms. There are 67 bedrooms at the lodge and all have views of Lake Manyara National Park. They have been designed to loosely resemble African 'rondavels' – round houses. Thatch roofs and thick stone walls. They are, for the most part, ordinary and simple – the best aspect to them is with doubt the view.
The main areas of the lodge are large and airy. There is a large dining room, bar area, TV room, conference room, computer room, a small shop and reception area. These rooms have been built to accommodate large numbers of guests. There are no stylish features or personal touches; in fact the only attractive feature of this lodge is the view.
If you're not using the hotel as a pit-stop for a driving safari, then there are activities available from here, organized from the lodge.
A gentle mountain-biking trip heads down the Rift Valley Escarpment to Mto Wa Mbu village – it lasts about three and a half hours and costs about £30 per person. It includes: guide, mountain bike, helmet, gloves, water, drinks / snacks and a transfer back up the escarpment to the lodge.
Alternatively, the 'Village Walk' starts with a drive to the nearby village of Mto Wa Mbu – for a stroll around nearby farms and its kindergarten, milling machine, church and local homes. Guests will meet with the local people. This costs roughly £25 each and generally lasts about three hours; it's recommended for all ages.
There's a 'Forest Hike', which heads from the lodge along the edge of the escarpment, and descends into a nearby gorge – where it's possible to explore groundwater springs. The hike ends at the gates to Lake Manyara National Park from where you're picked up and driven back to the lodge; it lasts around 3 hours and costs about £20 per person.
The 'Nature Walk' lasts roughly an hour and is a nice bit of exercise led by a qualified naturalist. It concentrates on the area on top of the Great Rift Valley, generally lasting an hour and costing about £6 each. This is suitable for most age groups and abilities.
Their 'Night Game Drive' consists of a guide and spotter and a three-hour night-drive through the national park in an open game drive vehicle. The drive starts at 18:30 at the park's gates, and costs for this depend on the size of the group.
In conclusion, Lake Manyara Serena Lodge, is typical of Serena Hotels; it makes a decent, comfortable base for a night. It doesn't pretend to be a luxurious, boutique lodge. It is practical and for a reasonable cost, it offers stunning views and a good location for those wanting to visit the National Park.
As the lodge is popular with large groups, over bookings here are sadly common. If you would like to include the Lake Manyara Serena Lodge in an itinerary please note that Expert Africa can take no responsibility for any overbooking. In such an event, we'll do our best to help make alternative arrangements for you – but we will not take any responsibility for additional costs or a
Central facilities: Lake Manyara Serena Lodge was built in 1996, however it most definitely has a 70's feel to it. The main public areas have a colour theme of white, green and orange. The walls are white, with various shapes protruding from them. A thick orange line wiggles its way around the walls – adding a splash of colour, albeit in a bit of a strange way! The floors are polished, green stone.
Wooden and cushioned chairs stand around small, wooden tables. Ceramic up-lighters are dotted around the walls and large ceramic urns, holding spears, have been placed at various points in the rooms to try and lend an “African feel” to the areas.
A small computer room, which houses three computers, sits off the main sitting room. A wooden bridge leads to a small curio shop which sells a limited range of gifts, t-shirts and toiletries.
The large and fairly impersonal dining room has been designed in the same way as the rest of the lodge; the only real difference is that the colour theme changes to blue and red. Red and blue painted lines wiggle their way around the walls and Maasai blankets align the serving tables. As most of the meals here are buffet style, there are metal, hot plates and serving dishes dotted around the room. Small Maasai ornaments and pots of flowing, green plants have been placed next to these serving dishes.
Dining can be inside or out, although the outside dining area is quite small. Through the French doors of the main dinning room is a self-service area for tea/coffee, complete with a couple of baskets filled with little tea cakes and biscuits.
A couple of windy, stone paths lead from the main building to the pool area. The kidney-shaped infinity pool has stunning, panoramic views over Lake Manyara National Park. Bushes frame part of the pool and sun loungers sit at the side. This is the best area of the lodge; the views from the pool area are the best reason to come and stay here.
Adjacent to the pool, is a small bar. A few cushioned chairs sit in front of a stone and wood bar. Again, there are the strange painted, wiggly lines on the white walls but the views here are spectacular.
Lake Manyara Serena Lodge has its own spa. This is open all day and they have a resident spa therapist who offers manicures, pedicures and deep tissue massages. The spa room is small and rather dim, as the curtains are always drawn. There are peach tiles on the floor and a couple of African spears on the walls. The spa here isn't particularly comprehensive, but for guests wanting a bit of relaxation for an hour or so, this will suit.
Food quality:Breakfast is a buffet style meal. Hot and cold food is laid out in the restaurant for guests to help themselves. There is a good choice of cereals, yoghurts and fruits. A chef will prepare eggs to order and guests can help themselves to a selection of other hot breakfast foods.
Lunch is also a buffet style meal. A variety of salads and cold meats are laid out for guests to choose from. There is a good selection of cold foods on offer.
Dinner at the Lake Manyara Serena is generally a three-course set menu. Guests will be seated and waiters then serve at the tables.
The Lodge offers international cuisine and caters for vegetarians and children on request.
For dinner on Sunday, they have a Swahili menu for those who would like to try local food.
There is a self-service coffee / tea bar near the restaurant that guests can use all day.
Dining style: Inidividual Tables
Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Room service: Yes
Drinks included: No. It costs roughly £3 for a local beer.
Children
Attitude towards children: Lake Manyara Serena Hotel is happy to accommodate children.
Age restrictions: None.
Activities: Lake Manyara Serena Hotel will arrange babysitters if requested. This service costs £3 per hour. The hotel is also happy to arrange children's meals at earlier times if requested.
Equipment: The hotel has baby cots and high chairs.
Generally recommended for children: Yes
Notes: The infinity swimming pool can be used by children under their parent's supervision.
Activities can be organized for children, typically costing about £8 per child, and lasting roughly one and a half hours. For example, children can be walked around the lodge, play games, make field guides and plant trees. The suggested departure time is either 07:30 or 16:30. The cost included field guide materials.
Central communications
Power supply: Mains Electricity
Communications: There is slow Internet access at the lodge. The last time we were there is cost £3 per 15 minutes – telephone and fax machine are all available at the Serena for an extra cost.
TV & radio: There are TV's in the rooms. There is also a general TV room for guests use.
Health & safety
Malarial area: Yes
Medical care: The hotel has an on site medical assistant and clinic. In case of emergencies they can contact the Flying Doctor services.
Dangerous animals: Moderate Risk
Security measures: The hotel has guards on duty 24 hours a day. There is also CCTV.
Fire safety: The hotel has fire extinguishers and the staff are trained how to use them.
Extras
Disabled access: On Request
Laundry facilities: There is a laundry service, but there is an extra charge for it. There is a list left in the rooms with prices on it.
Money: Guests can pay with traveller's cheques. The lodge charges no commission for them.
Accepted payment: Lake Manyara Serena accepts US Dollars, Canadian Dollars, Euros, Pounds Sterling, Tanzanian Shillings and Kenyan Shillings.
They also accept Visa, American Express and Mastercard. They charge no commission for taking credit cards.
