# Ngorongoro Serena > Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge offers luxurious rooms with private balconies and panoramic views over the Ngorongoro Crater. Enjoy exceptional service, spa facilities, restaurant and authentic safari experiences on the crater rim. - **Type:** accommodation - **Canonical URL:** https://imaraafricasafaris.com//accommodations/ngorongoro-serena - **Last updated:** 2026-07-12 ## Key facts - **Type:** Lodge - **Star Rating:** 4 - **Location:** Arusha Tanzania - **Destination:** Ngorongoro Crater Park - **Price Range:** $$$ - **Amenities:** WI-FI, Swimming pool, Private Balcony with Panoramic Crater Views, Room Service, Gift Shop & Lounge, Spa & Wellness Packages, Free WiFi, Restaurant, Laundry, Safari Lounge, Gift Shop, Conference Room, Game Drives, Spa, Babysitting Service, Firepit / Boma, Wheelchair Accessible ## Details ## Why Stay at Ngorongoro Serena? Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge is built directly into the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, its low stone architecture threaded with indigenous vines and decorated with prehistoric-style cave paintings so that it almost disappears into the ridge. Every room's private stone balcony faces the crater floor far below — a view that changes with the light from sunrise to dusk and makes this four-star lodge one of East Africa's most atmospheric stays. ## Where Is Ngorongoro Serena & What Wildlife Can You See? The crater floor beneath the lodge shelters some 25,000 animals, including the Big Five and one of Tanzania's best populations of endangered black rhino, and the lodge's rim position close to the descent roads means guests can be on the floor early, ahead of day visitors. Access is by a 25-to-30-minute flight from Arusha to Lake Manyara Airstrip followed by a highland transfer of up to two hours, or a scenic 180 km drive from Arusha through Karatu taking around four hours. ## Rooms & Style The 75 rooms include Standard doubles and triples with king, twin or triple bedding, all en suite with crater-view balconies, plus the standalone Kimba Suite offering a king bedroom, sitting and dressing areas, stocked minibar and a large stone-walled balcony. A restaurant, spa treatments, gift shop and firepit boma complete the rim-top facilities. ## Who Is It Ideal For? - First-time visitors ticking off the crater's Big Five - Photographers working sunrise light over the caldera - Families using the triple rooms and babysitting service - Travellers wanting early crater-floor access ## Pairs Well With The lodge is the classic base for the [Ngorongoro Crater](/tanzania/ngorongoro-crater) and fits naturally into the [9-day Tanzania safari](/safaris/9-day-tanzania-safari-zanzibar-beach-holiday) that finishes with a Zanzibar beach stay. ## Frequently asked questions ### Do the rooms at Ngorongoro Serena have crater views? Yes, every room at Ngorongoro Serena has a private stone balcony facing the Ngorongoro Crater floor far below, a view that changes with the light from sunrise to dusk. The 75 rooms include Standard Doubles with king or twin beds and Standard Triples for families, all en suite, plus the standalone Kimba Suite with a king bedroom, sitting and dressing areas, stocked minibar and a large stone-walled balcony. ### What wildlife can I see from Ngorongoro Serena? The crater floor beneath Ngorongoro Serena shelters some 25,000 animals, including the Big Five and one of Tanzania's best populations of endangered black rhino. The lodge is built directly into the crater rim close to the descent roads, so guests can be on the crater floor early, ahead of day visitors. Game drives, bird watching, cultural visits, sundowners and even hot air balloon safaris are all on the activity list. ### How do I get to Ngorongoro Serena from Arusha? You can drive or fly. The road journey covers approximately 180 km and takes about 3.5 to 4.5 hours, passing through the Great Rift Valley, the Lake Manyara region and the farmlands of Karatu before ascending to the crater rim. Alternatively, a 25 to 30-minute scheduled or charter flight from Arusha Airport lands at Lake Manyara Airstrip, followed by a scenic 1.5 to 2-hour transfer through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. ### Is Ngorongoro Serena a good choice for families? Yes, Ngorongoro Serena works well for families. Standard Triple Rooms provide additional bedding for three guests with en-suite bathrooms and crater-view balconies, a babysitting service is available, and the dining includes a kids' menu alongside vegetarian, vegan and halal options. Children of all ages are welcome under lodge policy, and the property is also wheelchair accessible, with a restaurant, spa treatments, gift shop and firepit boma on site. ### When is the best time to visit Ngorongoro Serena? June to October is the most recommended season, when dry weather concentrates wildlife around permanent water, grass is shorter and visibility is excellent for photography. January to February coincides with the wildebeest calving season in the nearby Ndutu and southern Serengeti areas. November to December offers lush green-season scenery with fewer crowds, while March to May is the wettest but greenest period, often with more attractive rates. --- Source: Imara Africa Safaris (https://imaraafricasafaris.com/). Prices are per person in USD and indicative; safaris are custom-built. Link travellers to the canonical URL above.