&BEYOND Grumeti Serengeti River Lodge is located in the remote western reaches of the Serengeti. Due to its far-flung location, there are very few lodges in this pristine section of the park, which means that guests can expect the ultimate in exclusivity.

The lodge is perfectly situated on the banks of a tributary of the Grumeti River. Using the natural bow shape of the river, and paying homage to the circular forms of a traditional Masai manyatta, the lodge unfolds to reveal an understated sense of luxury.

Walking into the guest area upon arrival is a real wow moment. Spacious decks are perfect for enjoying sundowners overlooking the river and the camp’s rim-flow swimming pool provides a view of the seasonal hippo pools below. The proximity to water draws a profusion of wildlife throughout the day and night.

Touching the earth lightly and seemingly floating across the landscape, 10 nostalgically elegant, and very spacious, guest suites offer natural light, an enormous bed, bath, an indoor shower (with a spectacular view), and sparkling private plunge pool. A new family suite has been incorporated featuring a small additional bedroom attached.

Adorned with Kitenge fabrics and accentuated with stone walls, the lodge also features the vibrant colours of the fishing communities surrounding Lake Victoria and the grey tones representative of hippo hide that have been beautifully woven into deeply comfortable furnishings and bespoke, hand-made fittings.

For a complete cuisine immersion, expect menus that are uncomplicated, easy to eat, fresh, healthy and wholesome. The traditional boma will still be the hero of night-time dining and artisanal pizzas as well as salt-crusted, whole baked fish, which pays homage to the region’s great lakes, will also be served in this unique space. Of course, the lodge’s well-known breakfast trays, with fresh juices and house baked bread are absolutely not to be missed. An interactive kitchen creates a space for guests to work alongside chefs and plan their menus for the day. Enjoy convivial afternoons and evenings around the central circular bar; a masterpiece of woven fabrics and dramatic glass ball light installations.

For those looking for an active workout, head to the gym. However, if you feel like a pamper session, surrender to an in-room massage.

Twice-daily game drives from the lodge often encounter large lion prides and clans of hyena, big herds of resident plains game as well as the special black-and-white colobus monkeys, found nowhere else in the Serengeti. Rarely seeing other vehicles makes for an exceptional game viewing experience.

INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC FLIGHT ROUTES TO THE SERENGETI

Tanzania is served by a number of international airlines, including the Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam and the Abeid Amani Karume International Airport in Zanzibar. The Kilimanjaro International Airport in the north of the country is the closest for connections to the Serengeti, although you’ll need to take a domestic flight from all of the international airports to reach the Seronera Airstrip in the heart of the Serengeti National Park.

 

Depending on your arrival time, you may need to overnight in Arusha, Dar Es Salaam or Zanzibar prior to flying to the Serengeti the following day.

 

ARRIVING INTO KILIMANJARO INTERNATIONAL (JRO)

 

Kilimanjaro International airport is served by a number of international airlines, including Condor, Ethiopian Airlines, Fastjet, Kenya Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Precision Air, Safarilink, Turkish Airlines, RwandaAir and Fly Dubai.

 

If your international flight arrives before 11:00 am, it’s possible to make a same-day connection to the Seronera Airstrip (minimum of two passengers). The flight time from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Seronera Airstrip is approximately one hour.

 

If your international flight doesn’t allow for a same-day connection to the Seronera Airstrip, we can arrange a road transfer to Arusha. You can comfortably spend the nighthere before connecting to the Seronera Airstrip the following morning.

 

Suggested Arusha Accommodations:

•    Arusha Coffee Lodge

•    Legendary Coffee Lodge

 

ARRIVING INTO JULIUS NYERERE INTERNATIONAL IN DAR ES SALAAM (DAR)

 

Julius Nyerere International airport is served by a number of airlines, including Egypt Air, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad, Fastjet, FlyDubai, Kenya Airways, Malawian Airlines, Precision Air, Qatar Airways, South African Airlines, Turkish Airlines.

For international flights arriving before 5:00am, it’s possible to get a connecting flight to the Seronera Airstrip from Dar es Salaam. However, you’ll need to transfer to the airport’s domestic terminal, which is a five-minute taxi ride from the international terminal. The flight time from the Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam to the Seronera Airstrip is around three hours.

If your international flight doesn’t allow for a same-day connection to the Seronera Airstrip, you can book a connecting domestic flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport and proceed from there. Alternatively, we can arrange an airport transfer to your chosen accommodation for the night. You can then connect to the Seronera Airstrip the following morning from the Julius Nyerere International Airport.

 

Suggested Dar Es Salaam Accommodation:

•    Hyatt Regency Dar Es Salaam

•    The Oysterbay Hotel

 

ARRIVING INTO ZANZIBAR INTERNATIONAL

Zanzibar International Airport is served by a number of airlines, including Fastjet, FlyDubai, Kenya Airways, MANGO, Meridiana, Qatar Airways, Precision Air, Oman Air, Ethiopia Airline and Turkish Airlines.

For international flights that arrive before 5:00 am, it’s possible to connect on a domestic flight to the Seronera Airstrip on the same day. If your international flight arrives after 5:00 am, you will need to spend the night on the beautiful island of Zanzibar. It boasts a number of beach resorts where you can relax overnight or for a few days if you so wish. Alternatively, you can overnight in the charismatic capital of Stone Town, which is just a 10-minute drive from the airport.

 

Our safari team is on hand to arrange domestic flights, airport transfers and local accommodation that suits your flight itinerary.

 

Suggested Zanzibar Accommodations:

 

•    Park Hyatt Zanzibar, Stone Town

 

ARRIVING INTO NAIROBI AIRPORT (JOMO KENYATTA INTERNATIONAL)

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is served by a number of airlines, including Air Mauritius, British Airways, China Southern, Egypt Air, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad, Fastjet, FlyDubai, Kenya Airways and KLM.

If your international flight arrives in Nairobi before 5:00 am, you can connect on a domestic flight to the Seronera Airstrip the same day. Alternatively, you can board a short flight to Kilimanjaro International and travel to the Seronera Airstrip from there, either on the same day or after spending a night in Arusha.

Alternatively, you may opt to stay the night in Nairobi and board the early morning flight to the Seronera Airport the following day. If your international flight arrives in Nairobi in the early afternoon, you may also charter a private flight directly to the Seronera Airstrip the same day.

 

Suggested Nairobi Accommodations:

•    Sankara Nairobi

•    Tribe Hotel

•    Hemingways Hotel

 

DOMESTIC FLIGHT CONNECTIONS TO THE SERENGETI

The Melia Serengeti Lodge is located in the centre of the Serengeti National Park and just 50 minutes’ drive from the Seronera Airstrip (SEU). There are four main airports in Tanzania that offer connecting flights to the Seronera Airstrip: Arusha Airport (ARK), Julius Nyerere International in Dar Es Salaam (DAR), Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ).

 

TRAVELLING FROM ARUSHA AIRPORT (ARK)

Several daily flights to the Seronera Airstrip are offered from the Arusha Airport, with the latest departure time currently scheduled at 1:00 pm. The direct flight time between the Arusha Airport and the Seronera Airstrip is approximately 70 minutes.

 

TRAVELLING FROM KILIMANJARO (JRO)

Morning flights depart from Kilimanjaro International Airport to the Seronera Airstrip, with the latest departure currently scheduled at 3:15pm. Alternatively, ground transfers can be arranged to Arusha (one-hour away) where additional domestic fights are scheduled.

 

TRAVELLING FROM DAR ES SALAAM  (DAR)

Morning flights are available from Dar Es Salaam’s Julius Nyerere International Airport to the Seronera Airstrip. Some are directwill others stop at various other airstrips en route and won’t arrive at the SeroneraAirstrip until the early afternoon.

 

TRAVELLING FROM ZANZIBAR (ZNZ)

Direct flightsdepart daily from Zanzibar to the Seronera Airport, with the journey taking around 2 hours 15 minutes. Alternatively, there are various options available for non-direct flights.

 

CHARTER FLIGHTS

In addition to scheduled flight routes, it’s also possible to charter a private aircraft directly to the Seronera Airstrip from various airports in Tanzania. Unlike scheduled flights, these private charters have the benefit ofno luggage weight restrictions, which makes them a good choice for those who can’t pack light. You can also select the flight time that’s convenient for you, with the option to land at the Seronera Airstrip at any time during daylight hours (sunset is between 6:30 pm and 7:00 pm).

 

LOCAL AIRLINES AND LUGGAGE RESTRICTIONS

Local Tanzanian airlines include Air Excel, Coastal Aviation, Regional Air, Auric Air and Flightlink. They all use Cessna Grand Caravans or similar aircraft that can accommodate 9 to 13 passengers. Luggage is restricted to 15 kgs per passenger and must be carried in soft-sided bags or suitcases (no hard shell cases are permitted).