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, semi-detached thatched bungalows set in semi-circular groups around the property. Each bungalow has a private veranda. The dining room and bar are located in the former colonial plantation house.
Nights 2 & 3: 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 so as 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.
Nights 4 & 5: 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 guestrooms 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 6: Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge Amboseli National Park, Kenya Situated in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro in the midst of Amboseli National Park, the Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge is spectacularly set in a grove of giant acacia trees beside a natural spring. The Masai-inspired architecture and the design of the lodge are in total harmony with the environment. Comfortable guest rooms are decorated with authentic African murals painted by a local artist. After viewing the abundant wildlife in the area, the spring-fed swimming pool is the perfect place to cool off and relax. Or, settle in on the verandah that offers excellent opportunities for game viewing. The open-air dining room, with views of a saltlick and floodlit waterhole where big game gather, offers an international menu.
Nights 7 & 8: Samburu Serena Safari Lodge Samburu National Reserve, Kenya Enjoying a fabulous location on the banks of the Uaso Nyiro River in the center of Samburu National Reserve, the Samburu Serena Safari Lodge is the perfect place to go on safari. Guest accommodations, housed in wooden thatched cottages, make excellent use of local materials to blend into their surroundings. Each is decorated with native artwork and has a veranda to view the river. The open-air dining room serves authentic African dishes in addition to a menu of international cuisine. The superb location and top-notch service have earned the Samburu Serena Safari Lodge a coveted place on the Condé Nast Traveler 2006 Gold List.
Nights 9 & 10: Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club Nanyuki, Kenya Founded by actor William Holden and set in over 100 acres of landscaped gardens in the shadow of majestic Mount Kenya, Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club is something of a legend. Its illustrious members have included Prince Berhard of the Netherlands, Bob Hope, the Aga Kahn, Lyndon Johnson and Lord Louis Mountbatten. Virtually everything that one could ever wish for can be found at this exclusive retreat. All luxuriously appointed guest rooms have fireplaces as well as an array of amenities appreciated by today’s modern explorers. There are a myriad of genteel leisure pursuits to fill your day, including (but certainly not limited to) trout fishing, golf, tennis and horseback riding. No matter which dining venue you choose, dinners are an elegant affair at Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club. To get a feel for the Africa experienced by travelers years ago, be sure to visit the Trophy Lounge.
Nights 11 & 12: Fairmont Mara Safari Club Masai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya Set at a bend on the banks of the Mara River amidst the Masai Mara Game Reserve, Fairmont Mara Safari Club provides a deluxe-tented camp experience surrounded by the African bush. Accommodations are in raised, en-suite tents furnished with four-poster beds, electric lights, electrical outlets, hand-woven rugs and its own game-viewing veranda. Baths are stocked with Lonrho toiletries and have solar-heated hot as well as cold water, a flush toilet and a shower. The restaurant, serving cosmopolitan cuisine with European, African and Asian influences, and the lounge / bar are located in the main building. An inviting free-form swimming pool awaits upon your return from a game drive and there is a bar at the pool.