It is difficult to imagine a more spectacular setting for Lake Manyara Serena Lodge - on the edge of the Mto Wa Mbu escarpment, overlooking the Great Rift Valley and the stunning Manyara soda lake. Tree-climbing lions are but one lure. The extraordinary birdlife has made this place world-renowned among ornithologists, who come to observe the masses of pink flamingos and great birds of prey.

The abundant birdlife inspired the design of Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge - swooping curves are complemented by soft, geometric patterns; stylish murals depict bird migration patterns. The circular shape of the buildings is a tribute to indigenous architectural traditions. Beyond the superb standards of hospitality offered, there is a spirit of tranquility that prevails.

Each spacious guest room at Manyara Serena Lodge has a private balcony with panoramic views of the Great Rift Valley and the soda lake of Manyara. The rooms interior decor compliment the birdlife of the Manyara region.

GUEST ROOM INFORMATION

Total Guest Rooms:	67
Twin bedrooms: (all en suite with shower)	54
Triple bedrooms: (all en suite with shower)	12
Suites: (all en suite with bath and shower)	1
Check in time:	14:00
Check out time:	11:00

The unique architecture of the Lodge continues in the restaurant and bar with colourful moldings and complimenting light fixtures that hang from intricately detailed African ceilings. The bar and restaurant offer guests both indoor and outdoor seating at each meal. Sumptuous menus, buffets and barbecues are served to guests alongside authentic African dishes.

The full-service lounge and bar serves fresh fruit juices, soft drinks, tea and coffee, cocktails, wines, spirits and liqueurs. With their graceful domed ceilings, curved walls and colourful murals, the guest lounge is the ideal venue to relax after safari or before and after meals. Both areas offer terrace seating with breathtaking views over Lake Manyara.

Dining Room

Seating capacity: 140

 

Breakfast:	6:30 am to 9:30 am
Lunch:	12:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Dinner:	7:30 pm to 9:30 pm

Lounge and Main Bar

Lounge capacity:	40
Seating and terrace capacity:	60

Full service bar open from 8:00 am to 11:00 pm

Lake Manyara National Park is an ornithological paradise with an abundance of birdlife. Verreaux's eagles, vultures, storks, swifts and swallows wing by lodgings atop the spectacular cliffs overlooking the lake. Lake Manyara, at 3,150 feet, is at times replete with flamingos, pelicans, storks and cormorants. The hippo pool, where guests may get out of their vehicles, is located on a freshwater stream that enters the lake at its northern tip.

The park's springs and a dense groundwater forest of giant figs and mahogany shelter blue monkeys, baboons, bush bucks, common water bucks, elephants, and silvery-cheeked horn bills. Acacia woodland and open grassland are frequented by buffalo, wildebeests, impalas, giraffes, zebras, lions, and gray-backed fiscal-shrikes. Streams attract pythons, Nile monitor lizards and mountain wagtails.

(Alden, Estes, Schlitter, McBride, National Audubon Society Field Guide to African Wildlife © 1995 p. 130)

The lodge has four landcruisers which can seat 6 persons each. Game drives across Lake Manyara National Park are scheduled daily.

Game Drive Schedules:

Early morning from 6:30 am to 8:30 am

Morning from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Afternoon from 4:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Indeed, there is a blaze of euphoria that seems to accompany game-viewing trips into Lake Manyara National Park. But these trips are only the beginning of the special offerings that guests are invited to experience at Manyara Serena.

With just a day's advance notice, guests can be treated to a private champagne "bush" breakfast. Your special table will be set up on the edge of the Mto Wa Mbu escarpment overlooking Lake Manyara. It will be just you, your wait staff and the early morning African wilderness.

There are daily guided bird walks through the extensive lodge grounds and gardens. All walks are complimentary and are led by the Lodge's resident naturalist.

Each evening after dinner, guests may choose to have their coffee or drinks around the "campfire" where frequently there will be musicians to entertain you.

Full day trips into the bush can be arranged, usually with just a day's advance notice. In the morning, you and your guide will leave the Lodge in one of the landcruisers and return by 4 PM in the afternoon. Your specially prepared picnic lunch, enjoyed somewhere in the bush wilderness, will surely be like no other you have experienced.

Lake Manyara National Park/Biosphere Reserve (80,300 acres/32,500 hectacres), a slim sanctuary extending fro the northern and western parts of Lake Manyara to the top of the western rift valley wall, is 75 miles (120 kilometers) southwest of Arusha, just south of the main road to the Serengeti Plains. Verreaux's eagles, vultures, storks, swifts and swallows wing by lodgings atop the spectacular cliffs overlooking the lake. Springs in the park's northern end support a dense groundwater forest of giant figs and mahogany, which shelters blue monkeys, baboons, bush bucks, common water bucks, elephants, and silvery-cheeked horn bills. South of the groundwater forest, acacia woodland and open grassland are frequented by buffalo, wildebeests, impalas, giraffes, zebras, lions, and gray-backed fiscal-shrikes. Streams attract pythons, Nile monitor lizards and mountain wagtails. Lake Manyara, at 3,150 feet (960 meters) varies in salinity levels with wetter and drier climate cycles. At times it is replete with flamingos, pelicans, storks and cormorants. The hippo pool, where visitors may get out of their vehicles, is located on a freshwater stream that enters the lake at its northern tip.

Alden, Estes, Schlitter, McBride, National Audubon Society Field Guide to African Wildlife © 1995 p. 130

© Serena Hotels Ltd / Choices Wild Limited, 2005.