Serena Mountain Lodge
Sailing like an ark amid the primeval forests of Kenya"s highest mountain, Mount Kenya, this timbered tree hotel offers champagne-clear mountain air, sweeping views across the tree-canopy, sparkling trout streams, and gentle forest walks. Located at 2,134 metres above sea level, on the lower slopes of the mountain, the lodge is cool, tranquil and hushed for optimum game-sightings. The open-air viewing-deck looks down on to its own water hole and salt-lick, which attracts numerous herds of elephant and buffalo. There is also a tunnel leading to a photo-hide, which offers spectacular viewing and photographic opportunities just metres away from the wildlife at the water hole.Raised on stilts above the forest canopy, a timbered drawbridge leads from the forest and up on to the wooden тЂ˜decks" of the lodge. Inside, the impression of having boarded a ship is perpetuated by a combination of log panelled walls, timbered game-viewing decks and winding stairs leading to a selection of snugly comfortable, cabin-styled rooms. Activities include guided walks through the forest, trout fishing in the clear mountain streams, trips to the high moorlands of the mountain, and 5-day luxury climbs of the mountain.
Mount Kenya (5,199 m) is Kenya"s highest mountain, a national icon, a climbers" Mecca, the nation"s namesake, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site and a wildlife stronghold. One of the world"s highest National Parks, it is also an extinct volcano some three and a half million years old and the sacred home of Ngai, God of the Kikuyu people.
GETTING THERE
Serena Mountain Lodge is within Mount Kenya National Park about 193 kilometres from Nairobi.
By road: transfers by road from Nairobi take approximately 2 to 3 hours.
FACILITIES
*41 rooms (all non-smoking)
*Gallery dining room at tree-top level
*Bar with central fireplace and viewing deck
*Guided forest walks
*Trout fishing
*Mountain climbs and treks
*Tree-planting programme
*Gift shop and business centre
*Bush breakfast, Bush lunch and Dinner at the Rooftop
*Massages, facials, pedicures, manicures
*Board games and library of Africana books
*Special dietary needs catered for with advance notification
*Wake up calls to view animals at the waterhole on request
Rooms and suites
Each timber-built, cabin-styled room has its own luxury ensuite bathroom and a private balcony overlooking the water hole. The dУ©cor, which echoes the Kikuyu culture, features hand-woven wall hangings, soft lighting and cosily-warm soft furnishings. Hot-water bottles are provided at night. Smoking is not permitted within the lodge, due to the fact that it is of timber construction but a smoker"s area is provided on the roof-top terrace.
All our rooms offer:
*WiFi connectivity
*Room service
*Complimentary mineral water and toiletries
*Bathrobe and slippers
*Valet, laundry, shoe-shine
*Hair dryers
*Safe (at reception)
*Forex, travel and 24-hour on-call medical services
What to do and see at Mountain Lodge
One of the world"s highest National Parks, Mount Kenya is an extinct volcano some three and a half million years old. Straddling the equator, the mountain offers a unique mosaic of forest, moorlands, rock and ice, and is crowned by the glittering twin peaks of Batian (5,199 m) and Nelion (5,188 m). The sacred home of Ngai, God of the Kikuyu people, Mount Kenya is Kenya"s highest mountain, a national icon, a climbers" Mecca, the nation"s namesake, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site and a wildlife stronghold. Among the many activities on offer, we invite our guests to:
*Watch the wildlife at the flood-lit waterhole or use the photographer"s hide, which allows you to view and photograph wildlife just metres away from them
*Join the twice-daily forest nature trail, which leaves at 9 am and 3 pm daily
*Take a day-trip to the high moorlands of the mountain where you can experience the unique Afro-Alpine biosphere
*Go trout fishing in the clear mountain streams
*Climb the mountain in style with our 5-day luxury Mount Kenya Climb
*Take a day trip to the Ol Pejeta Game Conservancy on the plains below Mount Kenya
*Learn more about Mount Kenya"s unique birdlife - professional ornithological tours - for amateurs or professionals
*тЂ˜Plant a Tree for Africa"
*Enjoy nightly wildlife talks on the flora, fauna and avifauna of the mountain
*Enjoy dance displays by the local traditional Mwomboko dancers