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Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge

Our rating

7/10

Price guide

Highlights

- 67 rooms, fabulous pool
- Forest hikes, game drives
- Cycling & canoeing

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Overview

Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge is a large property perched high on a clifftop in Mto wa Mbu, Northern Tanzania. The property offers unpretentious accommodation with fabulous views of Lake Manyara National Park and access to a rich abundance of wildlife, adventure activities, and cultural experience in an area of outstanding natural beauty. The lodge is accessible by road or by plane to the adjacent air strip.

With room for up to 147 guests, the lodge’s spacious reception and main areas have a traditional African feel. There’s a large lounge and separate dining room along with bar, tented conference room, computer room, satellite TV room and gift shop. WiFi is available in the main areas. The outdoor dining terrace is charming, albeit rather small, and there is a self-service tea and coffee area. The large infinity pool, with its own bar, expansive decking and lovely panoramic views, is a winning feature. Bushbuck and dikdik graze in the shady gardens in the dry season and there’s also a small spa.

Activities include gentle nature walks, more strenuous forest hikes, bird watching excursions, game drives, cycling and canoeing. Visits to local villages are possible, along with day trips to Lake Manyara, the Ngorongoro Crater and, somewhat further afield, the Tarangire National Park. Cookery and music lessons, archery and water colour painting are also offered, along with talks on wildlife and local customs.

The accommodation comprises 67 simple but comfortable rooms of varying formations from standard doubles, to twins and triples, to 10 pairs of interconnecting rooms, perfect for groups and families. There is 1 presidential suite with a lounge, and 2 rooms for the less able-bodied. The rooms are pristine, if a little dated, with thick stone walls and thatched rooves, their best feature being the stunning views. Each room has an en-suite bathroom with shower and flushing toilet. An abundance of home comforts are provided such as hairdryers, minibars, complimentary toiletries and mosquito spray.

Children of all ages are welcome. Educational talks, babysitting and board games are available, along with a children’s menu, high chairs and cots. Note that the property is unfenced and the pool unguarded, so parents must supervise children at all times. The superb range of activities, coupled with the all the modern conveniences that the lodge offers, make this an excellent option for families.

What the property might lack in intimacy and authentic safari atmosphere, it makes up for with its friendly, attentive service. Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge offers comfortable, reasonably-priced accommodation, in a breath-taking cliff-top location.

What customers are saying after travelling with Tourdust

Average Rating

based on 540 reviews

(5.00/5)

  • We had such a good holiday. You did a fantastic job!

    The house in Marrakesh was ridiculous. We effectively had it to ourselves. The accommodation was borderline palatial.

    I actually think that the time we had in Marrakesh was sufficient. We could potentially have done a day by a pool but I think we’d done enough souk-ing by the end of Day Two.

    The hotel in the mountains was a shade more rustic than I was expecting, but all great fun. Stunning views. The guide / mule / cook team were excellent and our guide (Hassan) tailored the treks to our capabilities well. He was superb, and really made an effort with the kids. The second and third day of trekking were particularly good. Such an adventure for the kids.

    All the logistics worked seamlessly. Every aspect went like clockwork. Top marks. The advice on tipping was also much appreciated (I hate thinking that I’m getting mugged off or am potentially not giving enough…).

    From my seven-year-old son:

    I thought it was GREAT. The food was amazing and the culture was very interesting. My favourite bit was scrambling up rocks in the Atlas Mountains.

    In retrospect, I’d probably do the trip in reverse. Flopping on the roof terrace after the rigours of the mountains would have been even more satisfying.

    MissingHenry O reviewing Boutique Marrakech & Atlas Mountains on 05 June 2025

  • We had an extraordinary time. It was magical and we couldn't hav asked or hoped for more. Thank you both so much for all of your time and assistance.

    MissingEmma M reviewing Best of Botswana for Families on 18 November 2024

  • We had an amazing experience - absolutely loved it.
    Mohamed and Said were great and very patient especially with me going downhill - was quite nervous about the scree slopes and paths.

    Will be a trip we remember forever

    MissingMaritta B reviewing Atlas Valleys & Villages Trek - Value on 11 November 2024

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