Night 1: Serena Mountain Village, Arusha Arusha, Lake Duluti, Tanzania Hidden away in the cool depths of a coffee plantation, Serena Mountain Village, Arusha is a haven of calm and tranquility. The hotel’s design is reminiscent of an African village, with well-proportioned guest accommodations in charming bungalows set in semi-circular groups around the property. The dining room and bar are located in the former colonial plantation house.
Night 2 & 3: Kikoti Tented Camp Tarangire, Tanzania Tented camps are a way of life during African safaris, and Kikoti is one of the most luxurious. In Maasai, “kikoti” means “the place where life began.” Paying homage to both its natural setting in the game-rich wilderness and the Maasai community that has roamed this region for generations, Kikoti Tented Camp embodies a wonderful camp-fire-style hospitality enhanced with impeccable personal service. Each of the ten large tents has sewn-in floors and en-suite bathroom facilities and is perched on a raised platform of wooden timbers; a private wooden deck ushers in views of the wetlands in the valley below.
Night 4: Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania From its perch high on a bluff at the edge of the Mto Wa Mbu escarpment overlooking Lake Manyara, the Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge offers panoramic views across the Great Rift Valley. Circular thatched guest rooms, with colorful interiors, have private verandas to view the wildlife. Between game drives, refresh yourself in the inviting swimming pool. Perched high above the Lake with endless views over the floor of the Great Rift Valley, the circular dining room and bright murals of the open-air bar area feature fabulous avian-inspired frescoes, colorful Masai artifacts and a unique domed basketwork ceiling hung with carved gourds and nest-shaped lanterns.
Night 5 & 6: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania The impressive stone structure of the Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge is built into the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater itself, not far from the Olduvai Gorge. Great care was taken to ensure that it would blend seamlessly into its surroundings to take nothing away from the stunning natural beauty of the area and, as it is covered with creepers and other vegetation, it is virtually invisible from the floor of the crater. The attractively furnished, comfortable guest rooms have private terraces affording wonderful views of the crater below. Meals are taken in the restaurant, with its log fire and attractive adornments. The well-traveled readers of both Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler consider the Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge to be among the 500 best hotels in the world.
Night 7 & 8: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge Serengeti National Park, Tanzania Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge is set high on a hill providing endless views of the vast grassy plains of the Serengeti. The inspiration for the lodge, the traditional African village, is reflected in the guest accommodations, which occupy individual thatched huts. These comfortable guest rooms are furnished with authentic African furniture and handicrafts and each has a balcony overlooking the Serengeti. The lodge has a lovely pool that beckons after game drives, often the site of “sundowner” cocktails.
Night 9 & 10: Kirawira Tented Camp Serengeti National Park, Tanzania The readers of Condé Nast Traveler have voted Kirawira Tented Camp as the “best for location” in Tanzania. Set on a hill, Kirawira Tented Camp offers grand views of the Serengeti’s limitless savannah and the passing parade of the wildlife that dwells there. Accommodations are in luxurious individual tents built on raised wooden decks. Each spacious en suite tent is furnished in a grand style reminiscent of the Victorian era. Relax beside the sumptuous swimming pool between game drives; dining is enhanced by an exceptional wine list.