Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge

As if in a land before time, Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge is built into the rim of a dormant and collapsed volcano (known as a caldera), the plant- and ivy-covered native stone blending masterfully with its surroundings.

Most of the 75 rooms has a private terrace with uninterrupted views of the 102-square-mile crater floor that is now a rich wildlife habitat. The lodge is a striking interpretation of how prehistoric man lived, hiding in caves that allowed him to see his prey, but remain unseen. The earliest evidence of early man is found nearby at Olduvai Gorge, a site of great interest to visitors to the region. Today the entire area is part of a vast conservation territory, home to the Maasai tribe and their prized cattle, as well as an extraordinary variety of big game and wildlife - lion, hippos, rhino, buffalo, wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, and hartebeest.

Due to the prevailing cool climate in the region, the lounge and dining room are set indoors overlooking the Ngorongoro Crater through large picture glass panels. All areas are complimented by log fires (the lodge is at 6,000 feet) which greatly enhance the atmosphere especially in the evenings. The unique design of the Lodge continues in the restaurant and bar with magnificent examples of prehistoric cave paintings found in the nearby Olduvai Gorge.