The Serena Mountain Lodge, a luxury safari lodge nestled within the breathtaking Mount Kenya National Park, offers an unforgettable experience. Located on the western slopes of Mount Kenya at an elevation of around 2,194 meters (7,200 ft), the lodge is built on poles, blending seamlessly into the dense rainforest.
Designed for optimal game viewing, the lodge boasts panoramic views from each forest-facing room, featuring large windows and a verandah for observing passing wildlife.
Along with the recently listed Outspan Hotel and Treetops Hotel, Mountain Lodge is one of several hospitality establishments facing difficulties in Nyeri County.
Unique Features and Accommodation
One of the unique features of Serena Mountain Lodge is its status as the only ‘tree hotel’ built on the slopes of Mount Kenya. The Serena Mountain Lodge features rooms that are designed in the manner of wooden cabins. Each of these rooms features a private balcony with a view of the adjacent waterhole and a luxurious bathroom that is attached to the room.
The rooms are decorated with hand-woven wall hangings, hardwood furniture, and rich warm tones, all of which are reflective of the Kikuyu culture that is prevalent in the area. Balanced on stilts and built almost entirely from cedar wood, each room in this 3-storey hotel looks out on the permanent waterhole and salt lick, meaning you can enjoy the privacy of your balcony while honing your photography and animal identification skills so that you can soon easily tell the difference between a bush and water buck.
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The lodge has 42 cabin-style rooms comprising 20 double rooms, 19 twin rooms, and 3 triple rooms. The interior décor echoes the Kikuyu culture and features hand-woven wall hangings, soft lighting, and cozily-warm soft furnishings.
Each room comes with an ensuite bathroom, ensuring guests enjoy modern conveniences while staying in a natural environment. Private balconies overlook the waterhole, allowing guests to witness wildlife interactions at any time of the day.
Guests can enjoy breathtaking views of the mountain and the forest below, along with incredible game-viewing opportunities.
Whether enjoying a morning coffee while watching elephants drink from the waterhole or relaxing under the stars with the sounds of nature in the background, guests are immersed in the magic of the African wilderness.
Wildlife and Activities
The lodge features its waterhole, attracting a variety of wildlife from Mount Kenya National Park, including buffalos, herbivores, and an array of bird species. The key attraction at the hotel is the permanent floodlit waterhole and salt lick, which attract a wide variety of large and small game, including the occasional nocturnal predator.
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By day, enjoy the antics of visiting elephant families, while staff can wake you at night should a hyena, leopard or genet drop by in the wee hours for a drink.
Guests can enjoy guided walks through the forest, trout fishing, and luxury climbs up the mountain, as well as take advantage of conference facilities for business meetings or events. Hikers and walkers can delve into the jungle with an experienced guide to learn more about this fragile but beautiful ecosystem; look down to spot exotic flowers and fungi, and up for birds, butterflies and hooting monkeys. The clear mountain streams teeming with fresh-water trout beckon anglers while climbers can tackle Mount Kenya up to Point Lenana.
Guides lead educational walks into the jungle, where you will stop for tea (out of delicate porcelain cups and saucers) at clearings along the way.
A comfortable forest lodge that allows you to slow down on a fast paced tour of the game parks. Relax on the balcony overlooking the waterhole and wait for the wildlife to come to you or spend a few hours down in the hide getting up close to the wildlife. The guided walk is highly recommended from this lodge.
Guests can learn about herbal medicine, indulge in birdwatching, and observe wildlife visiting the waterhole, especially during the evening or night.
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The lodge offers outdoor activities including mountain climbing, game drives, and trekking.
In the evenings, swap stories in the bar, relax at the central fireplace, peruse the library or challenge your fellow guests to a board game or two.
Dining Experience
The lodge is renowned for its excellent champagne breakfast and delicious cuisine, served by friendly and attentive staff. The unfussy dining room is situated at tree-top level, meaning a lush, green canopy unfolds before as you enjoy your continental or full English breakfast.
Serena Mountain Lodge Mount Kenya’s central dining room is raised to tree level offering long views over the forest canopy. All meals are served on a buffet basis and showcase both local and international cuisine.
In the evening, ward off the chill of being at altitude with a warming cocktail or perhaps a chilled Kenyan beer from the laid-back panelled bar before heading to the plentiful supper buffet.
For evenings the lodge offers cocktails and drinks for guests to unwind from the day’s activities. Instead of a dinner, the lodge prefers providing guests with a heavy supper which is served in a buffet style.
Eco-Friendly Practices and Serena Service
Serena Mountain Lodge is committed to eco-friendly practices, blending seamlessly into the forest landscape while offering impeccable Serena service.
The lodge’s manager and the staff are always ready to assist guests, ensuring a memorable stay.
Serena also invests into a plantation program which is a social cause directed to preserving nature and help wildlife flourish. Guests can learn more about this program.
Additional Amenities
There are 2 conference facilities; a Panoramic tented rooftop terrace and an interior conference room. The Serena Mountain Lodge Mount Kenya is also the perfect venue for exchanging vows even more in an authentic Kikuyu wedding ceremony with the local chief, dancers, and singers.
The lodge equips itself with a bar, a central fireplace, a library and board games to provide relaxation and entertainment within the lodge.
Guest Reviews
The Serena Lodges were exceptional and a great place to stay. Serena Mountain Lodge - Staff were amazing, so friendly and helpful. Rooms were very comfortable and although I had read reviews saying that the walls were paper thin and you could not sleep due to hearing you neighbours, we did not find this to be the case and slept very well. However, I would not choose to stay there again. It felt quite restricting after being at Sweetwaters.
I fell in love with your beautiful country.
Location and Access
Located at 2,194 meters on the slopes of Mount Kenya, Serena Mountain Lodge is enveloped by the vibrant sounds of the African bush, making it an exhilarating destination. The dense rainforest comes alive at dusk, offering guests a unique opportunity to witness nature’s symphony.
Watching the watering hole at Serena Mountain Lodge
Table 1: Key Features of Serena Mountain Lodge
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Location | Mount Kenya National Park, western slopes |
| Elevation | 2,194 meters (7,200 ft) |
| Accommodation | 42 cabin-style rooms with private balconies |
| Wildlife Viewing | Floodlit waterhole and salt lick |
| Activities | Guided walks, trout fishing, mountain climbing |
| Dining | Buffet-style with local and international cuisine |
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