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Situated
on the fertile banks of the Uaso Nyiro River in the center of
the Samburu Game Reserve in Kenya’s rugged, semi-arid Northern
Province, Samburu Serena Lodge echoes the robust rhythms of
riverfront life. The
rustic yet convivial lodge blends with the environment by making
full use of native materials.
The surrounding terrain is renowned for rare game –
long-necked gerenuk, Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe and
Beisa oryx. Leopard
are frequent passersby.
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Overlooking
the outdoor swimming pool and the meandering Uaso Nyiro
River, the open air dining room serves guests sumptuous
international menus, buffets and barbecues alongside
authentic African dishes. The gracious dining and lounge
areas are enhanced by Samburu details and murals depicting
local nature.
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All guest
rooms have private verandas with uninterrupted vistas of the
languid river and the wildlife it attracts, as well as the
countless crocodiles that make the waters their home.
Accommodations are cooled by breezes off the river and
overhead punkah fans. The artistic interior decor of each
room is directly inspired by traditions of the Samburu
tribe. |
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On
the outskirts of Nairobi’s Central Park, shaded by jacaranda,
bougainvillea and acacia trees stands the Nairobi Serena Hotel.
The tranquil setting belies its location…just moments
from most city attractions, including art and cultural
institutions, shopping, nightlife and entertainment, and
convenient to nearby game reserves.
A member of the Leading Hotels of the World, Nairobi
Serena Hotel offers exceptional standards of accommodations,
service, cuisine and amenities.
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Interiors
inspired by Pan African design themes reach their fullest
expression in the intricate timberwork that accentuates the
guest rooms.Within these luxurious surroundings are found
the most modern amenities. Views
from the rooms are of Central Park to the east, and to the
west, acacia groves and lush gardens. |
Maisha
Health Club, whose name is from the Swahili word for
"life" is the finest in all Kenya. Facilities
include a swimming pool, sauna and steam bath, aerobics
studio, fully-equipped weight and exercise rooms, juice bar
and massage and beauty treatment rooms. |
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Mountain
Lodge allows the visitor an up close and personal view of the
dense forest which comes alive at dusk with the sounds of
animals. It can be reached by a good road passing through
coffee, sisal and pineapple plantations. An interesting
feature of the waterhole is its center island created in the
shape of the African continent.
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Each of the
Lodge's tastefully decorated and recently refurbished rooms
has en suite facilities, and all have ideal view of the
waterhole below. A specially constructed viewing
bunker is connected to the lodge by a short tunnel and
allows an incredibly close view of game as they come to
drink or partake of the salty silt. |
Mountain Lodge is
the only “tree lodge” with direct access…no offset hotel
acts as an assembly area. Bird watching is especially popular
and the naturalist conducts daily safari walks through the
forest nearby. In this other worldly setting, the drama of
nature plays out daily, beneath the rocky, glacier-covered
peaks of nearby Mount Kenya.
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Serengeti
Serena Lodge is set high on a hill with breathtaking vistas of a
landscape teeming with countless zebra, buffalo and
gazelle…the wildlife that defines the Serengeti.
Big game feed in full view of the lodge, itself.
This is also the setting for the great wildebeest
migrations, an awesome spectacle involving millions of these
beasts. The lodge
design is simple, elegant and stunning.
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Inspired
by a traditional African village, separate rondavel
"huts" house the luxury guest rooms. The uniquely
crafted bedroom units maximize the use of local materials in
order to blend with their surroundings. The grass capping of
the roofs comes from locally occurring (but outside of the
Serengeti Park) savannah grass. The buildings' stone facings
utilized the stone shale that was found on the site and is
common throughout the Serengeti area.
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From the
overall impression to the smallest detail the lodge is rich
in local atmosphere created by indigenous handicrafts and
art.The
architecture and design of Serengeti Serena Lodge makes
maximum use of locally available, naturally occurring,
materials and indigenous designs. Walking to the dining room
and bar area of the Lodge, guests pass through open
corridors with rich African carvings and high roofs.
The lodge's
cuisine is focused on its use of fresh food that is
sumptuously prepared and cooked in front of the guests. The
full-service lounge and bar serves fresh fruit juices, soft
drinks, tea and coffee, cocktails, wines, spirits and
liqueurs. |
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As
if in a land before time Ngorongoro Serena Lodge is built into
the rim of a dormant volcano, the plant and ivy-covered native
stone blending masterfully with its surroundings.
Nearby is the Olduvai Gorge with its archaeological
evidence of the “birthplace of man.”
Today, the volcano and terrain are part of vast
conservation lands inhabited by Masai tribes and an
extraordinary variety of big game and bird life.
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Most
guest rooms have private terraces with views of the crater
floor where countless animals make their home.
At Ngorongoro Serena Lodge visitors coexist in
perfect harmony with the natural environment and the
wildlife that inhabits it. The 75 rooms are spacious
with central heating, prehistoric cave paintings and
balconies overlooking the Ngorongoro Crater. The furniture
is created from rich hardwood timber.
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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 Olduvai Gorge.
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