Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge

Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge is a 4-star luxury safari hotel located within Amboseli National Park. It is approximately 270 km from Nairobi via Emali and 280 km via Namanga town, close to the Tanzanian border. The closest airport is Amboseli National Park Airstrip, which is 11 km away. 

By air, the lodge is only 35 minutes from Nairobi Wilson Airport and approximately 3.5 hours by road.  Set against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro and boasting views of the long stretch of the Savannah, Amboseli Serena Lodge is the perfect getaway place for relaxation and fun.

Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge is set against the magnificent backdrop of Africa’s highest mountain, the glittering Mount Kilimanjaro. The lodge enjoys a uniquely privileged position at the heart of this world-famous national park.

Secluded within a grove of acacia trees, the lodge looks out over the golden savannah plains, with uninterrupted mountain views. Close by are a series of emerald green swamps, which are fed by the melting snows of Kilimanjaro. These, the only sources of water in this otherwise starkly beautiful but arid park, attract huge numbers of wallowing elephants, hippos, buffalos, and plains game. Meanwhile, from the prehistoric site of Observation Hill, the sunset over Kilimanjaro is magnificent.

At the centre of ‘Maasailand’, the lodge’s décor reflects the brilliant primary colors and iconic shapes representative of these legendary warriors. At the heart of the lodge, shaded by palm trees, is a free-form swimming pool; to either side of which stretches the rooms. Each room is housed in a single-story building opening directly onto the grounds, each reflecting a Maasai manyatta theme: each with its hand-painted wall frescos.

The central dining area is reached by a timbered bridge over a melt-water stream, while the lounge and bar feature a broad terrace and a blazing firepit where evening cocktails can be enjoyed. Activities include three daily game drives in custom-built traditional safari vehicles, ‘sundowners’ on Observation Hill, bush breakfasts and exotic Maasai bush suppers, Maasai dance performances, visits to Maasai villages, and tree-planting programmes.

Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge Location

Amboseli National Park is in the south of Kenya on the border with Tanzania, a stone’s throw away from Mount Kilimanjaro. A four-hour, 240 km / 150 mi, drive southeast of Nairobi will put you at the park’s gate. Amboseli is in the Loitoktok District of Kenya.

Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge Wildlife highlights

Amboseli’s unique geography has defined the park by producing permanent swamps which are a magnet for both wildlife and birds. Elephants thrive here and the small size and excellent protection have meant that elephants can reach maturity without being poached. The big tuskers dominate the show.

There are around 1500 of these swamp-loving elephants, one of the highest concentrations of elephants anywhere in Africa. Because of its small size and excellent infrastructure, Amboseli is considered an excellent all-year-round African safari destination. 

On your Amboseli safari, you can expect to see many of the savannah wildlife – giraffes, Grant’s, and Thompson’s gazelles, buffalo, hartebeest, waterbuck, eland, wildebeest, and Burchell’s zebra. In the drier areas, you will be lucky to spot gerenuk and fringe-eared oryx as well as bat-eared foxes, caracal, jackals, and serval cats. With relations between wildlife and communities improving, the Amboseli predators have made a comeback. You will see lions and hyenas though cheetahs and leopards remain elusive. 
 
As many as 400 bird species have been counted at Amboseli National Park. The combination of seasonal lakes, permanent swamps, and dry plains make it a bird-watcher utopia. There are about 47 species of raptors, including martial eagles, fish eagles, and secretary birds. Taveta golden weavers are common and the endangered Madagascan squacco heron is also present. Palearctic migrants make their appearance in the safari low season.

With many of Amboseli’s tracks running close to bodies of water, water birds are abundant. Long-toed lapwings, rufous-bellied herons, crowned cranes, kingfishers, pelicans, hammerkops, and more. Birding safaris are recommended in the rainy season from November to April when birds are attracted to the abundance of water and food.

Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge Accommodation

With amenities to rival the best safari lodges in Kenya, our 92 rooms and one suite feature complimentary wireless Internet, 24-hour room service, and private balconies. For the comfort and convenience of families and groups, we offer nine sets of interconnecting rooms.

The lodge’s luxury ensuite rooms are accommodated in two single-story dedicated buildings, which lie to the right and left of the main reception and dining areas. Each tastefully-appointed room features a Maasai-inspired, hand-painted, wall fresco, king-sized bed or luxurious twins, lavish all-encompassing mosquito-curtaining, bathroom (with walk-in shower), writing/vanity unit, and private verandaDining and bars.

The central dining area is reached by an internal timbered bridge over a melt-water stream and is flanked by water gardens. The walls feature hand-painted wildlife murals while the décor reflects the traditional artifacts of the Maasai people. The spacious lounge and bar feature a broad terrace and a blazing firepit where evening cocktails can be enjoyed.

Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge Breakfast and Lunch

Breakfast and lunch are presented in buffet style and feature a wide range of international choices. In typical safari style, we offer a ‘full English Breakfast’ as well as European options while our lunch menus will typically include meat, poultry, fish, and vegetarian options.

Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge Dinner

Our table d’hôte dinner menus feature a salad buffet, soup, entrée, pudding, cheese and biscuits, and tea or coffee. Vegetarian options are always available. The majority of our meat and dairy products, as well as our fruits and vegetables, are sourced from the communities that surround the reserve.

Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge Theme Nights

The lodge offers three special ‘theme’ nights, which as well as offering a broad range of international options also feature a central ‘theme’.
Mongolian Night: presents a fusion of oriental stir-fry, BBQs, and spiced roasts
Pasta Night: features a range of homemade pastas and traditional Italian sauces
Kenyan Night: features such Kenyan favorites as ‘Nyama Choma’ (traditionally roasted meats), ‘Sukuma’ (local spinach cooked with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and coriander), ‘Posho’ (maize), and other delicious cultural specialties

Wines, Beers, Spirits & Soft Drinks

Our wine list offers a broad selection of old- and new-world wines, and local and imported beers and spirits. We also offer a wide range of soft drinks including an array of freshly-made local fruit juices. We serve only the finest Kenyan coffee and tea; we also offer a wide range of fruit and herbal infusions.

Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge Bush dining

We are experts in arranging breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and cocktails in the bush. We have a dedicated ‘bush dining’ site immediately adjacent to the lodge as well as several panoramic sites within the park, such as ‘Observation Hill’ which looks directly towards Mount Kilimanjaro. These areas are typically presented with tables, safari chairs, a ‘bush bar’, and a ‘bush kitchen’, where a broad range of meats, poultry, fish, and vegetables are cooked on-site (supplemented by fresh soups, salads, and puddings from our hotel kitchens). In the evenings, ‘sun-downer’ cocktails are traditionally served around a campfire and can be followed by a lamp-lit ‘bush dinner’.

Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge Child-friendly

The lodge offers 3 family rooms, each with a private entrance, two separate bedrooms, and a shared bathroom. We can also provide babysitting services (prior notice is appreciated).

All our meals are generous buffet-styled presentations with something to suit absolutely everyone. High chairs can be provided, as can baby-friendly food. We are also delighted to offer slightly earlier children’s meals (as early as 6.30 pm) – tailored to suit your children.

Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge Activities & Amenities:

✓ We also offer a wide selection of board games and books on Africa and the wilderness
✓ Family breakfasts on safari or at Observation Hill
✓ Maasai dancing and cultural displays in our dedicated cultural display area
✓ The lodge’s professional nature guides also offer nightly talks and video presentations on wildlife
✓ Swimming pool (supervised by a qualified lifeguard but not suited to small children other than under parental supervision)
✓ Guided nature walks or bird-spotting on the grounds: Family game drives in our custom-built open-sided safari vehicles, which are ideal for children
✓ ‘Edutainment’: learn how to do Maasai beadwork, about Maasai warrior-hood, and learn Maasai tracking for beginners

Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge Conference and Event Facilities

The Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge has its dedicated conference facility, which is located immediately adjacent to the reception area. Uniquely presented with hand-painted wildlife wall frescos, it offers:
– ‘Meet and greet’ services
– Team-building programs
– A separate reception and registration area
– Delegate pads, pens/pencils, and individual mineral water supply
– Integral break-away area for workshops, coffee, tea, and cocktails
– A generous, air-conditioned room to accommodate up to 120 guests
–  PA system, LCD overhead projector, podium, flip charts, and marker pens
– Modern, modular event furniture, which can be tailored to your specifications
– Business support (secretarial services, photocopying, WiFi, and a full range of global communications)

Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge Weddings and Honeymoons

– Maasai guard of honor
– Tailor-made wedding cake
Garden or Kilimanjaro-view wedding ceremony
– Photography and videoing of your special day
– Cultural dance performance for you and your guests
– Sumptuous floral arrangements, bouquets and buttonholes
– Special accommodation packages for the entire wedding party
– Colourful range of guest entertainments – choirs, guitarists, disco
– Individually themed champagne reception – at the lodge or in the bush
– Private candle-lit honeymoon dinner for two: in the lodge or our private wilderness area adjacent to the lodge
– Luxurious suite (with private rooftop terrace) supplied with tropical fruit, chilled champagne, and your own personal ‘honeymoon cake’

Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge – What to Do and See:

✓ Do some swimming or sunbathing
✓ Have ‘sun-downers’ on Observation Hill
✓ Plant a tree for Africa as part of our eco-programme
✓ Learn more about the wilderness; wildlife talks and videos nightly
✓ Take in some professionally guided nature walks around the lodge or in the park
✓ Learn more about the fascinating Maasai culture by visiting a local manyatta (village)
✓ Enjoy a unique ‘exotic Maasai dinner’ with a campfire, hurricane lamps, and Maasai warriors
✓ Learn more about Amboseli’s unique birdlife – professional ornithological tours – for amateurs or professionals
✓ Take 2 game drives daily (6.30 am and 4 pm), both in our custom-built open-sided six-person safari vehicles (professional guides, refreshments on-board, radio links for fast location of game)

Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge Non-Residents Rates Per Night Includes;

Full Board Accommodation

Notes

* Extra meals 40 US Dollars per person
* Picnic Lunch 35 US Dollars per person
* No half-board reduction on the full-board meal plan
* Easter supplement 50 US Dollars per person per day
* Amboseli Family Room supplement 50 US Dollars per Room per day
* Young adults 13 to 17 years are charged 75% of the per person, the adult twin rate
* Children ages 3 to 12 years are charged 50% of the per person, adult twin rate
* Children in their own room are charged 75% of the per-person adult twin rate. Minimum 2 children in a room
* Christmas Surcharge: 45 US Dollars per person per night on 24th,25th,26th,31st Dec 2024 & 1st Jan 2025
* Children under 2 years sharing a room with an adult will be accommodated complimentary (maximum two). Whilst sharing a room with one or two adults

Suite Supplement Per Room Per Night (Family room at Amboseli is on a request basis) 

* High Season – 2^nd Jan 2024 To 31^st Mar 2024 – 350 US Dollars
* Low Season – 1^st Apr 2024 To 31^st May 2024 – 250 US Dollars
* High Season – 1^st Jun 2024 To 30^th Jun 2024 – 350 US Dollars
* Peak Season – 1^st Jul 2024 To 31^st Oct 2024 – 350 US Dollars
* Mid-Season – 1^st Nov 2024 To 22^nd Dec 2024 – 250 US Dollars
* Peak Season – 23^rd Dec 2024 To 1^st Jan 2025 – 250 US Dollars

Extra Activities at an Extra Cost

* Bush Barbeque Lunch – 45 US Dollars
* Lunch only (Per person) – 45 US Dollars
* Cultural Talk (Per person) – 30 US Dollars
* Nature walk (Per person) – 35 US Dollars
* Bubbly Sundowner at observation hill – 65 US Dollars
* Bush Barbeque Dinner (Exclusive beverages) – 50 US Dollars
* Bush Barbeque Dinner (Inclusive beverages) – 65 US Dollars
* Bush Barbeque breakfast at observation hill – 60 US Dollars
* Traditional Dancers (Per group performance) – 280 US Dollars

Game Drive

*  Game drive (Per person) – 120 US Dollars
* Day game drive (Per person) – 100 US Dollars

Transfers

* Namanga transfer (Per vehicle each way) – 400 US Dollars
* Amboseli Airstrip transfer (Per person each way) – 50 US Dollars
* Emali Train Station transfer (Per person each way) – 100 US Dollars

Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge has 92 guest rooms (twin rooms, double rooms, family rooms, and ol donyo Oibor suit) all designed with a Maasai theme. Featuring wall paintings of animals and trees, ornate lamps, a flat-screen TV, a center rug, a writing desk, a hairdryer, and an en suite bathroom.

Ol donyo Oibor suit is equally suited to be a presidential/CEO, honeymoon, or VIP venue, is spacious, and elegant, and enjoys a fabulous view of Kilimanjaro from its private balcony and rooftop terrace.

Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge has an on-site restaurant where guests can order a variety of dishes. Guests can partake in bush dinners and alfresco breakfasts while watching the sunrise over the mountain. There is a bar and lounge where guests can order a variety of beers, wines, and cocktails which can also be enjoyed over a fire pit. 

There is also an on-site swimming pool where guests can take a swim after a game drives around the national park.

Amboseli National Park is home to large herds of elephants, wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, hyenas, gazelle, and impala. Cheetahs and lions are often seen, either hunting on the plains or at rest in the undergrowth. Over 400 bird species including 40 raptors have been recorded in Amboseli.

Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge activities include; game rides, sun-downers on the observation hill, Maasai dances, swimming, visits to Maasai village, bush dinners, camel rides, nature treks, tree planting, or just relaxing and staring for hours at the highest mountain in Africa (Mt Kilimanjaro).

Mobile: + 254-721-242-711
WhatsApp: +254-721-242-711
Reservations: +254 718-179-967
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://africanspicesafaris.com