Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge

Serena Lodge has a vantage position on the Ngorongoro crater, so all the rooms not only overlook the crater, but they also face the east, so you get treated to a glowing sunrise in the morning. The rooms are smaller than the rooms in the camps, so if you are visiting as a family, a single room will not suffice. The lodge is less than an hour from the bottom of the crater so it’s very close to the wildlife. This is a large hotel with 75 rooms but still the staff are very helpful and responsive. I had a sick child, and they sent the doctor immediately to attend to her and did not even want any money for the service. I thought that was a very nice gesture. The food is probably the area where they can improve. The first night was a buffet and they had some interesting local cuisine options as well. But in general, we found the food (especially the boxed lunches) less than remarkable.