- About
- Kenya
- Kenya + Tanzania
- Tanzania
- Rwanda
- Uganda
- Experiences
- Parks
- Travel Info
- Contacts
Situated in a prime location in the Masai Mara, the Mara Serena Safari Lodge sits high above the sprawling savanna, presenting an architectural twist to other lodges in the area and offering breathtaking views. Inspired by the design of a Masai settlement or “Manyatta”, the Mara Serena Safari Lodge offers outstanding service and quality safari experiences in one of Kenya’s prime game reserves.
The main building comprises a large dining area with rounded walls and archways, opening up to a deck that boasts an inviting pool and deck chairs. Pathways on either side of this area lead to stand-alone rooms, which continue the Manyatta design throughout.
The Serena standard of excellence is present through attentive staff and attention to detail, from the positioning of the rooms to the bountiful cuisine on offer at meal times. Safaris are a key focus and qualified guides attend to guests’ safari needs with enthusiasm.
Set on top of a bush-covered hilltop in the well-known Mara Triangle and boasting a breathtaking landscape of savanna as far as the eye can see, the Mara Serena Safari Lodge is most notably set in the perfect position to enjoy a safari in the famous Masai Mara Game Reserve.
The banks of the Mara River can be seen in the distance with the wide open landscape creating a tranquil ambience far from cities and crowds. Take a flight from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport and in under two hours, you can find yourself in a rural bush setting in the middle of Mara.
Tradition meets modern luxury in each of the 74 rooms set in a step-style layout, each offering incredible views over open plains from their balcony.
Colorful swirls of yellow, dark oranges and browns pattern the walls, inspired by true Masai art form, with a small desk and en-suite bathroom completing the charming room.
For that little something special, consider upgrading to the Mara Suite which boasts two balconies, a dedicated butler and a beautiful bathroom with tub and shower.
Every room comes with a mosquito net over the comfortable bed with ceiling fans for those warm nights.
Game drives and safari walks take place in the iconic Masai Mara, home to the “Big Five” and so many other incredible wildlife. Safari vehicles are mostly 4x4s with pop up roofs, offering visitors the chance to stand up and gaze out over open savannas and rocky outcrops as you search for animals. Take a break from your morning drive as you get a chance to admire hippos from a distance while savoring a delicious breakfast alongside the banks of the Mara river.
Discover the magic of the Mara as you pass waterholes, over undulating hills and circle trees and bushes in search of predators hoarding their kill. Track spoor along dusty roads and marvel at the number of elephants, lions, wildebeest and zebra you will see during your game experience. With two migration crossing points nearby, the Serena Mara Lodge is perfectly located from which to witness this once in a lifetime wildlife spectacle.
Adventure-seekers can enjoy a hike along the Oloololo Escarpment located on the western boundary of the Mara triangle. Walk in the footsteps of World War 1 German soldiers during this three-hour round trip experience that will take you around jagged outcrops, along rocky slopes and past thick vegetation lining the edge of the escarpment. Embark on a hot air balloon safari, admiring the wealth of wildlife below.
The best times to visit Tanzania are December through March or June through October during the dry seasons, when the game viewing is at its best. The rains usually last from April to May then occur again in November when there are fewer tourists and vegetation flourishes. During February, wildebeest are calving, giving you a front row seat to the baby's first moments in the savannah.
A mid-range safari with lodging runs $350 to $400 per person, per day while a high end luxury safari with all the trimmings ranges from $600 to about $1000 per person, per day. Read more about safari costs for Tanzania.
Both countries are reputed for outstanding game viewing. Tanzania’s jaw-dropping Mount Kilimanjaro, sweeping coffee plantations and the exotic island of Zanzibar make it unique from its northern neighbor, while Kenya's lush green landscapes make it a bit less tropical, climate-wise. The two countries are frequently combined into a single journey, given their proximity to each other and the fact that they are both locations for the must-see Great Migration. Read more about whether Kenya or Tanzania is better for a safari.
The Great Migration is a wildlife spectacle, sometimes called The Greatest Show on Earth by safari enthusiasts, during which hundreds of wildebeest and other mammals head towards greener grazing pastures during East Africa's dry season. It is heavily dependent on the weather, specifically the rain which brings new vegetation upon which the wildebeest feed. Generally-speaking, herds are in the Serengeti from November to May. In May, as the grass dries up, herds begin the 500-mile migration north and by June they are in the greener plains of Kenya’s Maasai Mara. They usually stay here until October. From January on, they alternate between woodlands and plains, depending on the weather. In anticipation of the short rains—and the greener grasslands that come with it—the herds begin their trek down to the Serengeti. In November and December, they arrive to a flourishing green landscape where they stay until the cycle begins again.
The best time to go gorilla trekking in Uganda is during the dry season (December– February and June - August) when conditions are especially good for trekking to view mountain gorillas. Game drives in the national parks are also fruitful during this time.
Wear neutral colored, lightweight clothing on your Uganda safari. Dress in layers and bring a warm sweater for morning and nighttime game drives. For gorilla trekking, bring a waterproof rain jacket, hiking boots, long socks, hiking pants, bug repellant, and a daypack. A sunhat and gardening gloves are also a good idea; the jungle is dense and thick.
Natural World Kenya Safaris offers Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Uganda with basic accommodations starting at $96 per person, per day, plus the Uganda gorilla trekking permit which costs $700 per person per day (the permits are required, and those fees are non-negotiable.) Costs increase from there.
Natural World Safaris can provide basic, mid-range, and luxury trekking safaris and is eager to work with almost any budget.
Suggested tips range from $10 to $20 per person per day for a private guide and the same amount for your driver if that is a different person than your guide.
If you are on a guided safari or gorilla trek in Uganda, your chances of encountering problems are minimal. However, it is always a good idea to take precautions on your safari, particularly when traveling through urban areas or in regions close to the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The trek to spot gorillas can be strenuous. It could take anywhere from two to eight hours to find and observe the gorillas, depending on the time of year. Be prepared to hike for multiple hours through uneven terrain at high altitude. It is advisable to train before any gorilla trekking trip by walking uphill, or better yet, by taking day hikes.
When it comes to wildlife viewing, there are never any guarantees. There are no fences in the parks in Uganda and the gorillas are free to roam. However, our expert guides and gorilla trackers have years of experience taking guests to see these magnificent creatures. They know their favorite spots to congregate and work closely with park officials each day to provide the best possible chance of seeing gorillas in the wild.
Most mountain gorillas in Uganda live at between 4,900 to 7,500 feet. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to the country’s mountain gorillas, has a high point of 8,550ft.
The best time to go on a gorilla trek in Rwanda is during the dry season (June - September) when conditions are best for trekking to view the country’s highlight: the fascinating mountain gorillas.
Wear neutral colored, lightweight clothing on your Rwanda gorilla trek. Dress in layers and don’t forget a sweater for chilly morning and nighttime game drives. For gorilla trekking, bring a waterproof rain jacket, broken-in hiking boots, long socks, hiking pants, bug repellant, and a daypack. A sun visor and protective gloves – such as gardening gloves - are also useful.
Natural World Kenya Safaris offers Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Rwanda with basic accommodations starting at $720 per person, per day, plus the Rwanda gorilla trekking permit which costs $1,500 per person per day (the permits are required, and those fees are non-negotiable.) Costs increase from there.
Natural World Safaris can provide basic, mid-range, and luxury trekking safaris and is eager to work with almost any budget.
Suggested tips for your guide are $25 per person, per day for a private guide and the same amount for your driver if that is a different person than your guide.
Rwanda is one of the safest countries in Africa, particularly if you are on a guided safari or gorilla trek. Your chances of encountering problems are minimal. However, it is always a good idea to take precautions on your safari, particularly when traveling through urban areas. Cross-border travel into the Democratic Republic of the Congo or Burundi is not safe, however, so steer clear of this.
The trek to spot gorillas can be strenuous. It could take anywhere from two to eight hours to find and observe the gorillas, depending on the time of year. Be prepared to hike for multiple hours through uneven terrain at high altitude. It is advisable to train before any gorilla trekking trip by walking uphill, or better yet, by taking day hikes.
When it comes to wildlife viewing, there are never any guarantees. There are no fences in the parks in Rwanda and the gorillas are free to roam. However, our expert guides and gorilla trackers have years of experience taking guests to see these magnificent creatures. They know their favorite spots to congregate and work closely with park officials each day to provide the best possible chance of seeing gorillas in the wild.
Most mountain gorillas in Rwanda live at between 8,000 to 13,000 feet. Volcanoes National Park has a high point of 15,000ft.
Contact us for more information
For more information about our safari excursions, or to book your dream safari trip with Natural World Kenya Safaris, simply get in touch with our friendly travel advisors. Give us a call on +254 704 001 122 or leave your details on our contact us page, and we'll reply as quickly as possible.
© Natural World Kenya Safaris. Developed By MonkeyFish Marketing.
Book This Safari
Book This Excursion/Tour
Customize this Excursion
Customize this Safari
We use cookies to improve your experience on our site. By using our site, you consent to cookies.
Manage your cookie preferences below:
Essential cookies enable basic functions and are necessary for the proper function of the website.
Google reCAPTCHA helps protect websites from spam and abuse by verifying user interactions through challenges.
Google Tag Manager simplifies the management of marketing tags on your website without code changes.
Statistics cookies collect information anonymously. This information helps us understand how visitors use our website.
Google Analytics is a powerful tool that tracks and analyzes website traffic for informed marketing decisions.
Service URL: policies.google.com (opens in a new window)
You can find more information in our Cookie Policy.
