Quickies: The Lodge

Linda Lou Burton posting from Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge, Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania– 6:15 PM luggage in; 6:15 AM luggage out. Minus out the sleeping time, and the shower time and the poolside time and the dinner time, there was no time left for a sit on our veranda, gazing out across the lake in the valley; breathing in the fresh morning air; listening to the birds. That’s assuming, of course, that the air was fresh and the birds were singing. I was stuffing (not packing) the few things back into my fancy-schmancy palm-tree-brown suitcase that I had bothered to take out; my toothbrush, my morning meds. Passport attached to body; green mosquito-repellent scarf around my neck; hat on head. Rick was stuffing his stuff in the other corner of the room; conversation nil. Both of us were tired, stunned might be a better word; too rushed, the reason why. We needed a break! Alas, Tuesday, September 20, 2022 was not the day we got one. Variety, however, spiced up our lives; surprises at every curve of the road. I guess that’s what happens when your day is crammed so full you think you’re gonna die. But, you probably won’t. Die, that is. You’ll just have lots of stuff to think about when you get home.

The Lodge, first; Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge. Some of my photos, and some of theirs. Those round thatch-roofed rondavels were the most unique sleeping accommodations I’ve ever had, and I didn’t get one good picture in our short time there. The dining room, the pool, totally cool! We had three meals with Serena Lodge – dinner, breakfast, and a Bush Lunch, with table under tent cover at the edge of the escarpment, chef’s outdoor grilling station, and patrol guard.

Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge, https://www.serenahotels.com/lake-manyara

Tanzania’s towering Mto wa Mbu escarpment provides a remarkable backdrop for Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge; a peaceful location amidst the rich wildlife of Lake Manyara National Park. The lake is home to over 300 migratory birds; the Lodge’s architectural motif features swooping avian curves and vibrantly colored wall frescoes depicting bird migratory patterns. Spread along the edge of the cliff for incredible views, accommodations consist of circular, double-story, whitewashed “rondavels” (traditional circular buildings with conical thatched roofs), which include their own small veranda.

Flamingo Restaurant is designed to replicate a Maasai boma, with swirling primary colors on textured white walls and traditional beadwork, gourds and leatherwork, and includes a veranda with picturesque views. The scenic outdoor terrace and infinity pool offer awe-inspiring lake views; it’s also the venue for cultural dance and music performances, usually held in the evenings. A variety of activities are offered by the Lodge, from village visits and nature walks to biking, jogging, archery, painting, and language and cooking lessons.