This is a gem of a lodge. It is located in the center of Amboseli National Park. One arrives by way of dusty tracks through large dusty flats heavily populated with large mammals. The lodge occupies a small, slightly elevated oasis in this dusty plains. There is a gate guarded by Maasai with spears. Once through the gate there is a small circular, tree shaded driveway. House staff meet guests with wet hand towels to wipe the dust off (and there is plenty of dust). The lodge has about two dozen rooms and is well equipped. The lobby and lounges are fitted with very comfortable chairs and coaches. African art abounds. This opens up to a medium size covered patio with many chairs. There is a view of another nearby oasis and the dusty flats. Game can be spotted here and there. Baboons and Velvet Monkeys scurry about on the lodge grounds. Maasai patrol to keep animals away. Note that the Maasai expect a dollar for any picture taken (and you must ask permission in advance). There is a small but well stocked gift shop with excellent prices. There is a small but nice tropical pool under the trees. The rooms are small but well appointed. The small beds all have mosquito nets. There is no fan but the louvered windows provide good ventilation in the night. Bathrooms are modern. Entire lodge is exceptionally clean. No TV or radio but they do have internet ready computers for a small charge. Electricity was abundant and so was hot water. Restaurant is connected to lobby by a small wooden walkway crossing a small stream. Very good buffets. Waiters are Maasai and are very, very attentive and friendly. Grounds are very small and you probably do not want to walk around without an armed escort. I thought the grounds were fenced but at night a large herd of elephants walked within feet of the restaurant. Nighttime entertainment is limited to the internet and any books you bring with. Excellent lodge, excellent staff, excellent location, excellent grounds, excellent food. Rooms are small but well appointed in African theme.

Here are my ratings (1-10, 10 best)

Rooms 8

Grounds 8

Staff 9

Dining/Restaurant 10

Location 10

 

They had clean, modest rooms, well-manicured and landscaped grounds, a nice pool, and lots of baboons running around getting into things.

This was a large lodge with 96 rooms. All meals were buffets. You pay for all drinks, including water. There was a private bath, maid service, and game drives.

Be clear as to what you expect to be paying for and what you don't.

This was generally a great place to relax by the pool while the majority of the guests left the complex for the game ride or the Masai village tours. There were lots of families and tour groups here.

These accommodations were very comfortable and beautiful. Amboseli Serena Lodge is decorated in local themes with many Maasai artifacts. The service of this all-inclusive lodge cannot be beat. The on-site restaurant caters to a variety of tastes, with buffets for breakfast and lunch and buffet/menu combination for dinner. You will feel at home from the moment you arrive and are greeted by the staff and the local Maasai warriors who are employed to keep the Vervet monkeys at bay.

This was our favorite lodge on the trip. The rooms were cute, the staff very helpful. The landscaping alone will amaze - there was a babbling brook outside the window by our dining room table. The lodge seemed to be overstaffed with people falling all over to help us out! Make sure to wear your bug repellent and long sleeves to dinner, as the mosquitoes are out in droves. Take a dip in the pool, then lounge in the sun and sip fruity drinks. Watch out for the monkeys, they'll try to steal your fruit.