About Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge is a lodge set on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, inside the conservation area, in Tanzania. It has a restaurant, a bar, a tour desk and meeting rooms. The front desk offers a concierge service, luggage storage and currency exchange. Wi-Fi is free throughout the lodge, and so is the private parking. The staff speak English and Swahili.
Location
The lodge stands on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, at more than 2,200 m above sea level, inside the conservation area. From the lodge, the descent road into the crater is about half an hour away.
By road, Loduare Gate, the main entrance to the area, is 180 km from Arusha. Allow about three hours to the gate, via Mto wa Mbu and Karatu. The nearest airstrip is at Lake Manyara, 58 km away, with a flight from Arusha every morning. The lodge offers an airport shuttle.
Rooms
Standard rooms measure 28 m² and sleep two or three, and the executive suites measure 35 m². The lodge also has family rooms.
The rooms have a balcony, a seating area, a desk, a wardrobe and a telephone. You also get a kettle, a fan and a mosquito net. The private bathroom has a shower or a bathtub, with a hair dryer and toiletries. Cribs are free for children up to 3, and an extra bed can be added from age 4, at extra cost.
Dining
Breakfast is a buffet, with continental, English, American, Italian and Asian options. You will also find vegetarian, vegan, halal, kosher and gluten-free choices. For a full day in the crater, the lodge prepares packed lunches.
The restaurant has children's menus, and menus for special diets on request. The lodge also has a bar, and room service brings meals to your room.
Leisure
Beyond safaris, the lodge offers hikes, local culture tours and evening entertainment. To unwind, you can book a massage or a wellness package. All these activities cost extra.
Map and location
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area3 km
- Lake Manyara Airport58 km
Distances from the property, as listed on Booking.com.
Facilities
- Airport shuttle
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Family rooms
- Free parking
- Non-smoking rooms
- Free Wifi
- Tea/Coffee Maker in All Rooms
- Bar
- Breakfast
Bathroom
- Toilet paper
- Towels
- Bath or shower
- Private bathroom
- Toilet
- Free toiletries
- Hairdryer
- Shower
Bedroom
- Wardrobe or closet
View
- Landmark view
Outdoors
- Outdoor furniture
- BBQ facilities (additional charge)
- Balcony
Kitchen
- Electric kettle
Room amenities
- Clothes rack
Activities
- Tour or class about local culture (additional charge)
- Evening entertainment (additional charge)
- Hiking (additional charge)
Living Area
- Seating area
- Desk
Media & Technology
- Telephone
Food & Drink
- Wine/Champagne (additional charge)
- Kids' meals
- Special diet meals (on request)
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Tea/Coffee maker
Internet
- Wifi is available in all areas and is free of charge
Parking
- Accessible parking
Front Desk Services
- Concierge
- Baggage storage
- Tour desk
- Currency exchange
- Express check-in/out
Entertainment & Family Services
- Babysitting/Child services (additional charge)
Cleaning Services
- Daily housekeeping
- Laundry (additional charge)
Business Facilities
- Meeting/Banquet facilities (additional charge)
Safety & security
- CCTV outside property
- CCTV in common areas
- Smoke alarms
- Security alarm
- 24-hour security
- Safety deposit box
General
- Shuttle service (additional charge)
- Designated smoking area
- Mosquito net
- Packed lunches
- Fan
- Family rooms
- Airport shuttle
- Non-smoking rooms
- Wake-up service/Alarm clock
- Room service
Accessibility
- Upper floors accessible by stairs only
Spa
- Spa/Wellness packages
- Massage (additional charge)
Good to know
- Check-inFrom 12:00 to 06:00, with a photo ID and a credit card
- Check-outFrom 10:00 to 11:00
- ChildrenFree cot on request, extra bed on request
- PetsNot allowed
- PaymentCard or cash
- Languages spokenEnglish, swahili
Conditions as listed on Booking.com on October 25, 2026, to check when you book.
Parks and reserves nearby
The crater lies below the lodge, and its descent gate opens at 6 a.m. You drive down in a 4x4, with a licensed guide on board. If you don't have a guide, you hire one at the gate. The last descent is at 4 p.m. The crater fee covers a single entry of no more than six hours.
About 25,000 large animals live in the crater year-round, including lions, buffalo, wildebeest and zebras. It is also the place in Tanzania where you stand the best chance of seeing a black rhino. The lodge has a tour desk, and it prepares packed lunches for the day.
TanzaniaTours and guides nearby
Guided tours you can book online, ranked by number of reviews. These are affiliate links: if you book, you support us at no extra cost.
Viator3 Days Serengeti and Ngorongoro Group Camping Safari
5.0 (795 reviews)View and book
Viator4 Days Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Mid-Range Group Safari
4.9 (534 reviews)View and book
Viator5 Days Camping Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro crater & Visiting Maasai
5.0 (322 reviews)View and book
Viator4 Days join group tour Tarangire Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater
5.0 (292 reviews)View and book
Viator2 Days Tarangire and Ngorongoro Private Camping Safari
5.0 (159 reviews)View and book
ViatorNgorongoro Crater Day Trip
4.9 (122 reviews)View and bookGuest reviews
88 reviews
- Location9.8
- Cleanliness9.6
- Value for money7.9
- Facilities8.9
- Comfort9.4
- Staff9.4
- Free Wifi8.8
Scores left by guests on Booking.com, collected on October 25, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge inside the crater?
No, it sits on the crater rim, inside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. You drive down to the floor in a 4x4, on the descent road. Entry to the conservation area is charged per 24 hours, and the crater descent is charged on top, per vehicle.
Can you go on safari from Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge?
Yes, the crater lies just below, and its descent gate opens at 6 a.m. You drive down in a 4x4 with a licensed guide. The lodge has a tour desk and prepares packed lunches.
What is the nearest airstrip to Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge?
Lake Manyara, 58 km away, with a flight from Arusha every morning. The lodge offers an airport shuttle.
What are the check-in and check-out times at Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge?
Check-in is from noon to 6 p.m., and check-out from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. The lodge asks for your arrival time in advance.
Does Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge welcome children?
Yes, of all ages, and it has family rooms. Cribs are free for children up to 3, and an extra bed can be added from age 4, at extra cost. The lodge also offers babysitting, for a fee.
What is breakfast like at Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge?
A buffet, with continental, English, vegetarian, vegan, halal, kosher and gluten-free options. The lodge also prepares packed lunches for the day.
Is parking free at Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge?
Yes, the lodge's private parking is free, with no reservation needed. It has accessible spaces for guests with reduced mobility.
Can you pay cash at Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge?
Yes, the lodge accepts cash. At check-in, you also need to show a photo ID and a credit card.
Our tip
One night at the lodge is enough for the crater. Order your packed lunch the evening before and be at the descent gate at 6 a.m., while the light is still low. In the morning, the crater rim is cold and often misty: keep a warm jacket with you.
Other hotels nearby
This page is written by Safari Trip, an independent guide: we are not the property and we do not take bookings. Prices and availability are checked on Booking.com, where our buttons lead, through an affiliate link.