Active Excursions

In addition to the ordinary game drives, many of our guests have asked if we could include something 'different' for one afternoon during the safari. In response to this demand, the 'Serena Active' excursions have been developed that can be added onto almost all northern circuit safaris. These excursions can only be done when staying at the Serena Lodges, and should be pre-booked.

LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK:

CYCLING SAFARI:

This activity is perfect for: Guests who enjoy biking and want to cover more terrain than walking.

Where do we go ? Leave the lodge and descend down the Rift Valley escarpment. Ride on a single-track path though Mto Wa Mbu village then ride to the lakeshore. Meet a vehicle with drinks and snacks and get driven back to the lodge.

What is included ? Guide, Trek 6000 front suspension mountain bikes, helmets, gloves, water packs, drinks/snacks, and transfer back to lodge.

Suggested departure time: 0730 or 1500
Length of excursion: 3.5 hours
Level of strenuousness: Moderate (it is downhill or flat most of the way)

VILLAGE WALK:

This activity is perfect for: Guests who want to have a "real" (not acted) cultural experience.

Where do we go ? Drive down to Mto Wa Mbu with your village guide then take a leisurely stroll around the farming areas. Experience a kindergarten, milling machine, church, local homes, and farmlands.

What is included ? Local guide, water packs, round trip transport, village contribution.

Suggested departure time: 0800 or 1530
Length of excursion: 3 hours
Level of strenuousness: Low (all ages can enjoy this activity)

FOREST HIKE:

This activity is perfect for: Guests who want to have a good hike and who enjoy observing a peaceful natural environment.

Where do we go ? Leave the lodge reception on foot, walk along the edge of the escarpment, descend down into a nearby gorge, explore groundwater springs, and end the hike at the Lake Manyara National Park entrance gate to be driven back to the lodge.

What is included ? Guide, water packs, snacks/drinks at end, and transport to lodge.

Suggested departure time: 0730 and 1500
Length of excursion: 3 hours
Level of strenuousness: Moderate

ROCK CLIMBING/ABSEILING:

This activity is perfect for: Guests who want a challenge!

Where do we go ? Abseil and climb on a cliff a 10 minute walk from reception.

What is included ? All the equipment and instruction to allow a beginner to participate.

Suggested departure time: 0730 or 1500
Length of excursion: 3 hours (depends on the number of guests)
Level of strenuousness: Moderate

LAKE MANYARA CANOEING SAFARI:

A game drive on water! Lake Manyara National Park has one road in and out. Now for the first time, guests can game drive and a canoeing experience to see game from a new angle.

This activity is perfect for: Guests who would like to experience a different but easy activity option. It is also good for guests who do not have plenty of time in the National Park.

Where do we go ? Qualified guides drive guests to the canoeing launching site in game drive vehicles. Here guests receive all safety information and set off on the water in the company of the canoeing guide. Canoeists glide over the smooth lake water 20m offshore drifting past herds of Giraffe, Buffalo, and Elephant. We end with a refreshing drink stop.

What is included ? Two and a half hour canoeing safari and qualified guide, good quality and safe two man canoes, life jackets, water packs. Transfer to and from the Lake Manyara National Park gate in open game drive vehicles, Lake Manyara canoeing safari T-shirt and certificate.

Departure times from gate: 07:30 and 14:30
Length of excursion: approximately 31/2 to 4 hours
Level of strenuousness: Moderate (we always canoe with the wind from behind)

NATURE WALK:

This activity is perfect for: Guests who have limited time, but still want to stretch their legs and learn something.

Where do we go ? Walk along the edge of the Great Rift Valley.

What is included ? Qualified naturalist.

Suggested departure time: 0630 or 1730
Length of excursion: 1 hour
Level of strenuousness: Low

CHILDREN'S GUIDE PROGRAM:

This activity is perfect for: Children who need something special for them.

Where do we go ? Around the lodge, playing games, making field guides, planting trees.

What is included ? Guide and age-appropriate field guide materials.

Suggested departure time: 0730 or 1630
Length of excursion: 1.5 hours

NGORONGORO CRATER

CIRCLE HIKE:

This hike is perfect for: Guests who have the whole afternoon at leisure at the lodge or active guests who would like to have a full hike.

Where do we go ? Begin the hike from reception and walk up along the Crater Wall. Descend down onto the Melanga Depression, hike in a loop and turn back to the lodge via a circle route.

What is involved: Walking guide, NCAA armed ranger, and water packs (camel packs).

Departure time: 14:30
Latest departure: 15:00
Length of hike: 3 ½ to 4 hours
Level of strenuousness: Moderate

SHORT NATURE WALK:

This hike is perfect for: Guests of all ages and activity levels and for guests who have limited time for hiking.

Where do we go ? Depart from the reception and stroll in a loop around the Serena property.

What is involved ? Walking guide.

Departure time: Available from 16:00
Latest departure time: 17:30
Length of activity: 1-½ hours
Level of strenuousness: Easy

SERENGETI VIEW HIKE WITH SUN DOWNER DRINKS AND PICK-UP:

This hike is perfect for: Guests who have the afternoon at leisure but have less time than needed for the "Circle Hike"; or for guests who are looking for a more luxurious hiking option. This hike is also perfect for guests who are departing for the Serengeti in the morning. Guests can start the hike at 07:00 and their driver can meet them on the road en route to the Serengeti three hours later.

Where do we go ? Depart from the lodge reception up the wall of the Crater then hike into the Melanga depression and cross the depression. Continue to hike towards the Serengeti plains where a vehicle meets hikers with sundowner drinks and snacks. All hikers are driven back to the lodge after enjoying the view.
What is involved: Walking guide, NCAA armed ranger, water packs, sundowner drinks and snacks, vehicle transfer back to the lodge.

Departure time: 07:00 and 15:00
Latest departure: 15:30
Length of hike: 3 to 3 ½ hours
Level of strenuousness: Easy to Moderate

OLMOTI FULL DAY HIKE AND GAME DRIVE EXCURSION:

This hike is perfect for: Guests who would like to explore more of the Crater Highlands or for guests who are spending three nights at the lodge and want an active option for their second day.

Where do we go ? Depart very early in the morning (06:30) from NSSL then game drive over the Crater floor through the Eastern gate. Continue on towards the Masaai village of Nanyokanyoka. Hike up the side of Olmoti Crater and to the top of the crater waterfall. Hike into the Olmoti Crater floor and do game viewing on foot. Have lunch back at the waterfall and hike back to the village. Game drive back over the Ngorongoro Crater floor back to the lodge.

What is involved: Walking guide, armed ranger, driver guide, crater service fees, game drive, water packs, drinks and snacks.

Departure time: 06:30
Length of activity: Full day
Level of strenuousness: Easy to moderate