The most amazing safari you can experience!
O Four Seasons Lodge Serengeti goes beyond the limits of luxury, sophistication and good service. It provides its guests with a true immersion in wildlife and connection with nature, culture and local people.
There were countless moments that surprised and even moved us, making us the best stay of our lives, without exaggeration! After all, every detail is planned to make your experience unique and exclusive.
It is necessary to be aware that the choice of hotel is crucial for your experience to be positive.
Keep in mind that travelers absolutely depend on the entire hotel structure. There are no other options to go, such as restaurants, guides, cars suitable for safari, besides, of course, the rooms, swimming pools, etc.
#ParaNãoForget: Have you bought your travel insurance yet?
Get your discounted plan using the coupon FORTRAVELOVERS (5% off).
How to get to Four Seasons Lodge Serengeti
It is not yet such a common destination for Brazilians, so there are no direct flights from here to Tanzania. The journey to the Serengeti is long and the prices of flights are quite high.
Generally, those traveling to Tanzania opt for airlines that go to Johannesburg, South Africa (direct flights departing from São Paulo lasting 8h30min) and from there to the most populous city in Tanzania, Dar Es Salaam or Zanzibar, one of the main destinations in the country (beautiful beaches – I will tell you in another post).
From both cities there are flights to Arusha or Kilimanjaro, cities that serve as a base for departure to any part of the park, whether by bus, plane or 4×4 cars.
Voos
From Sao Paulo to Dar Es Salaam:
- South African Airways Airline (GRU to DAR, stopover at JNB)
- Ethiopian Airlines (GRU to DAR, with stopover in ADD)
- Search by changing your dates HERE.
From Dar Es Sallam to Arusha:
- We fly Precision Air
From Dar Es Sallam to Seronera with a stopover in Arusha:
- Flghtlink (DAR up to SEU, with stopover in ARZ) / We buy through Air Viva HERE.
Departing from Arusha there are several companies such as:
- Flightlink (our choice for value)
- Coastal Aviation.
- Air Exceed
- Tropical Air
- Zanair
- Regional Air
- Rooster Air
Arusha has two main airports – Arusha (9km and US$20 to downtown) and Kilimanjaro (50km and US$40 to downtown). Kilimanjaro supports medium-sized aircraft and Arusha only small aircraft.
Serengeti National Park
From Arusha by bus or car, trips can take up to 14 hours, as the roads are few and far between. By plane, about 1h to any airport inside the park.
It's not simple, let alone fast, to get around the entire Serengeti, so there are several landing strips for teco tecos. The ones that receive the largest number of flights are Seronera and Grumeti, but obviously we need to search for the one closest to the place of accommodation and this information is usually available on the hotel's websites.
My husband and I usually book hotels as the trip goes on, but for the Serengeti it takes a little planning, as it involves buying flights, transfers provided by the hotels and you can't sleep at the “airport”!
View to the Serengeti
Buffalo herd in Serengeti | Photo: publicity
We leave for Seronera airport and it is during the flight that, crossing the Serengeti plains, we already start to be excited by the beautiful landscapes and the enormous scale of the savannah. After landing, we traveled about an hour to our hotel.
And it is on this route to the hotel that the safari effectively begins; we had our first encounters with giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, wild boars (famous Pumbaa), hares, the most varied species of antelopes and hippos. The number of these species is so great that we are not all the time without knowing where to look.
Upon arrival at the hotel, staff and members of the Maasai tribe welcomed us with drinks, cookies, introduced us to common areas and then directed us to our room.
Four Seasons Lodge Serengeti Location
Located in the center of Serengeti National Park, just a 45-minute drive from Seronera airport, the Four Seasons Safari Lodge was built in one of the most privileged places in the entire park.
Within the depths of the most refined savannah in Africa, with a breathtaking view of the endless plains and entirely built around a drinking fountain that attracts the most diverse species of animals to quench the thirst, especially elephants, especially in the dry season. .
Estrutura do Hotel Four Seasons Lodge Serengeti
O Four Seasons Serengeti it is fully integrated into the savannah. Without fences, with a lot of views and that butterflies in the stomach when moving between the elevated walkways that connect the common areas to the rooms.
But don't worry, you will always be accompanied by a Masai warrior with a flashlight and a watchful eye. After all, we don't want to become food for some feline, right?
There are a total of 77 rooms, being suites with capacity for 3 people (which can be, for example, 2 adults and 1 child) ranging from 55m² to 86m², to villas that hold 6 people and reach 242m².
All options are very comfortable, decorated in pastel and brown tones, with African prints and art.
And, absolutely everyone, the hotel staff from day one called us by our names. Room service was provided all the time, as they realized we weren't inside.
Decoration of Four Seasons Lodge Serengeti
The hotel combines contemporary African decor, mixing refinement with rusticity and all modern comforts with views that enhance the look.
Beautiful common facilities, full of works of art with large windows on all sides so we don't forget for a minute the amazing place we were.
Quartos do Four Seasons Lodge Serengeti
We stayed in an 86m² suite, with elegant and neat decor, a comfortable living room and full of pampering: wine, chocolates, fruits, welcome messages and our schedule ready for the next few days.
The room had a delicious bed, shower, bathtub and an attached closet. But most impressive was the balcony. An exclusive pool for us, open shower and a wonderful view of the savannah.
After spending the day following the footprints of animals on a safari, we would return to the bedroom straight to the balcony to relax, take in the view and admire the animal life right in front of us.
The rooms have soft bathrobes and slippers, dressing table with hairdryer, minibar stocked with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, safe and amenities: repellent, shampoo, conditioner, moisturizing cream, liquid soap, shaver, bath salts and body oil.
On the bedroom balcony with the lens rented by Four Seasons
Four Seasons Lodge Serengeti Facilities and Common Areas
- Swimming pool overlooking savannah;
- A kind of drinking fountain frequented by elephants;
- Yoga classes;
- Tanzanian cooking classes by appointment;
- Spa;
- Gym open 24 hours;
- Discovery Center;
- Museum of animal life with the assistance of guides who accompany you through some exhibitions and/or provide you with books/videos;
- Assistance in cleaning guest cameras;
- Lens rentals for various brands of cameras and an iMac with image processing software where you can review, back up or edit your photos. We traveled with two professional cameras, but our longest-range lens was a 300mm, and with this option, which I saw as a luxury, we rented a 600mm for $60/day – excellent!
- 24-hour medical assistance with professionals fluent in at least English and German. In addition, the hotel also offers a chat option through its APP, which allows you to be served 24 hours a day in all languages, including Portuguese, on any subject.
The lodge as a whole offers: laundry (with additional cost), souvenir shop, qualified safari guide, safari cars in excellent condition, with blankets on top of the benches so guests don't feel cold during the tour, wifi internet in the rooms and in common areas with excellent signal, including in cars during safaris, library for borrowing books and DVDs.
Pool at Four Seasons Lodge Serengeti
A huge infinity pool that almost blends in with the watering hole that animals, especially elephants, visit quite often. Ideal place to enjoy the silence of the savanna that is constantly broken by the sound of animals.
In addition, it is from the pool that you have the best view of the stunning sunset while you can enjoy a cocktail accompanied by snacks.
Spa do Four Seasons Lodge Serengeti
If you want to relax, be sure to try a typical Tanzanian massage.
The spa is separated from the main building in search of silence and is divided into six spaces. There are from traditional treatments to some to surprise even those who have tried all types of spas around the world.
Many massages are done with the traditional Tanzanian oil, Baobab, which they are very proud of for all the benefits and can be purchased at the spa facility.
Gastronomia do Four Seasons Lodge Serengeti
The hotel also won us over by the stomach! What delicious food! In some ways similar to the Brazilian one, lots of variety of seafood, meat and coconut oil.
Lunch is usually served at the Maji Bar and Terrace and for dinner there is another option, the Boma Restaurant, which, in addition to excellent food, organizes a presentation of the famous Maasai dance.
Both restaurants are à la carte and on the menu, international options as well as typical Swahili dishes. Everything excellent!
The truth is that it is impossible not to eat a lot during your stay. After all, safaris start at 6am and before we started we helped ourselves to an excellent breakfast.
During the tours, the guide always serves guests light meals and there is a stocked minibar in the car. On the way back, lunch was already waiting for us and in the afternoon another meal was waiting for us on the tours and in the evening for dinner.
Sunset at the Maji Bar, impossible not to fall in love with the Four Seasons Serengeti – Photo: publicity
Breakfast overlooking the pool
Things to do while staying at Four Seasons Lodge Serengeti
Safari by 4×4 car
Safaris in the park are generally held twice a day, at times when the animals are most active, with departures between 6:30 am or 7:15 am and in the afternoon, from 4:5 pm, both lasting 12 to XNUMX hours. There is also the option to hire safaris of XNUMX consecutive hours to explore other regions further afield.
The car was super comfortable, fully equipped with chargers for any brand of cell phone, sockets for cameras, wi-fi (seriously!), minibar stocked with various drinks, lots of snacks, blankets on the seats to protect us from the cold in the mornings and sunsets, repellents (super important as it is a malaria zone) and even, believe it or not, world news of the day printed by the hotel!
In addition, the roof of the car opened upwards and it was possible to stand up at any time, perfect for taking pictures!
The Safari Experience in Serenetti
When we arrived with our teco teco at the Seronera “airport”, the ranger called Zakayo (guide/driver on safaris), who would be exclusively with us for the next 5 days, was already waiting for us to help us with our bags and direct us to our vehicle 4 ×4.
We were welcomed with a breakfast set up right next to the car, with champagne toasts and his interest in finding out what our expectations were regarding the encounter with the animals. Thomas, anxious, has already made it clear that his greatest desire was to see a feline hunting! Goal for Zakayo!
Our guide taught us all the time about each of the species we encountered, telling us different curiosities or answering any of our many questions! When approaching an animal, I already positioned the car at the best possible angle for our photos! How not to love?
Zakayo did his best in all the safari games to provide us with the most desired encounters and he succeeded! We follow, for example, a cheetah hunting an impala from start to finish and nothing more, nothing less, than 8 lions feed on an eland, a species of antelope.
Lions and the enjoyment of hunting
Serengeti Environmental Awareness
I was delighted with the environmental awareness imposed and conquered by the park. Unlike the safari we did years ago in Kruger in South Africa, rangers don't leave the “roads” much so as not to invade the animal's space and not stress them.
We saw on one of the safari days, aerial inspection that fined those cars that were breaking the rules. It is also not allowed safaris at night, as the high beam impairs the vision of the animals.
More important and valuable than our interest in seeing them up close is respect for their well-being, isn't it? All my prestige for attitudes like this!
walking safari
Led by a Four Seasons resident naturalist, Masai guides and rangers point out and guide you on animal trails, interesting insects and useful plants.
It's an intimate savannah experience during a 90min hike that explores the more subtle and unusual features of the wildlife sanctuary. We've had this experience before and highly recommend it!
Balloon ride
What better way to see the immensity of this environmental reserve and have a full dimension of the incomparable amount of animal life than from above?
This might be the most beautiful area in the world for a balloon flight and it's a chance to see the Serengeti from a unique perspective!
Reservations for balloon flights can be made at the hotel or directly with Serengeti Balloon Safaris.
>> Click here and check out our full report on the Serengeti Balloon Ride.
balloon safari
Balloon flight in the Serengeti
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Buffalo herd in Serengeti | Photo: publicity
Four Seasons Lodge Serengeti Kids Activities
Children also have a very varied program.
In addition to the recreation areas, they can schedule cooking classes, socialize with the Maasai who teach the little ones their skills and traditions, such as making fire with sticks and elephant dung and the functions of medicinal plants.
How many days is required at Four Seasons Lodge Serengeti
We recommend that you stay for at least 4 days so that you have enough time to enjoy all this structure. I would have stayed 15 days, after all we lived during our stay a dream!
Unlike other luxury hotels, which take this title only for their facilities, the Four Seasons surprised us in the small details.
We lost one of the two suitcases we checked into Tanzania and were out of half of our belongings. Including our appropriate safari clothes, repellent and medication. Knowing this, they gave us two shirts, in addition to worrying all the time about our well being.
On our last night, they surprised us with a candlelit dinner, with an exclusive chef and waiter, by the pool bathed by the full moon and the sound of animals from our side on the savannah.
Returning to our room, we received two wooden elephants as souvenirs – which are now in a special corner of our house.
After a few days, this team invaded our hearts and immortalized in our memories!
Currency
The bill can be paid in local currency, the Tanzanian shilling, in US dollars or by credit/debit card.
It is important to remember that, as it is a national park, fees are charged to visit it, equivalent to US$ 70 (Park Fees) + US$ 3 (Tourism Development Levy), per day and per person. And it is at the time of closing the hotel account that these fees are calculated.
Non-Four Seasons Lodge Serengeti Reservations
Make your reservation HERE or through the Four Seasons App – with it you can order room service, make reservations, ask the concierge for tips, check-in/out – all in Portuguese.
we leave the Four Seasons with the certainty that life passes in the blink of an eye and it is experiences like this that enrich our journey. While writing this post, I remembered all the details that moved me and only increased my desire to return!
And do you agree that the Serengeti can it be one of the best destinations in the world for those who love nature?
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE GOING TO Africa
Are you full of things to think about and still have to plan your entire trip? Or you've seen it all, but you're feeling that familiar "maybe I've forgotten something?" So calm down, we'll help you with some items you can't forget before boarding. Come on?
Have you already purchased your air ticket?
Where to buy: PROMO TICKETS
Looking for a good deal and flight prices? When buying tickets to Africa, it is worth taking a look at the Passages Promo website. It is quite common to find cheaper and better flight options than on other sites. We always use and is it worth it?
Have you already booked your accommodation?
Where to buy: BOOKING.COM
If you haven't booked your stay, the tip is to compare hotels, hostels and inns through Booking.com. This is the largest hotel booking platform in the world, ensuring a safe experience and great accommodation deals.
#StayHip: Keep an eye out for 'Smart Deals', which only last for one day. Some amazing hotels offer great discounts using this badge on the platform. If you find a good deal, is it worth closing?
Travel Insurance is ESSENTIAL
Where to buy: INSURANCE PROMO
Have you ever thought about having to pay medical expenses or having to shell out fortunes for setbacks on the trip? We already know of several cases of people who have gone through this.
Although travel insurance is not mandatory to enter Africa, hiring a plan is highly recommended. Travel Insurance is cheap and a necessary investment to get rid of bigger problems that can happen during the holidays.
To find good travel insurance, compare prices and coverage on Promo insurance.
#StayHip: Save 10% on your travel insurance. Use the FORTRAVELOVERS coupon to get a 5% discount and pay with boleto to guarantee an additional 5% OFF.
How to have unlimited internet while traveling
Where to buy: AMERICA CHIP
Did you know that it's getting easier – and cheaper – to have unlimited internet throughout your trip?
Just ask for an international cell phone chip at America Chip. We always use and love it! They send a SIM card to your address in España, you insert it in your cell phone when you arrive at your destination and you have unlimited internet throughout the trip.
#StayHip: Save on car GPS rental and use GoogleMaps and Waze with your unlimited internet?
Rent cars at the best prices
Where to Rent: RENTCARS
We really like RentCars to find the cars we use on our travels. It is the only one in Spain that compares the best rental companies in the world, but lets you pay in reais, without IOF. In addition, it is also the only one that lets you pay in 12 interest-free installments. It is worth it!
#Here's a tip: Try to find cars with full car and third party insurance coverage. Thus, you avoid inopportune surprises when picking up the car.
Also, be very smart when closing with other car rental comparisons. That's because prices are usually charged in dollars and close with your card. If the dollar goes up, the price of your car rental goes up too.
Read too
- What to Do on a Stopover in Johannesburg – Ever thought of Safari?
- Safari in the Serengeti, Tanzania – All you need to know
- What to Do in Serengeti, Tanzania – Hot Air Balloon Safari
- Trip to Zanzibar – A Hidden Paradise in Tanzania
- Things to Do in Africa – Visit Victoria Falls
- Tourism in Namibia – What You Need to Know
- Things to do in South Africa – Garden Route
- Piscina do Diabo – The Most Insane Natural Pool in the World
- Things to do in Ethiopia – Discover OMO Valley
- Safari in South Africa – Kruger National Park
- What to do in Cairo, Egypt – 5-Day Itinerary
- 10 Tips for Sightseeing in Cairo
- International Travel Insurance – Is it worth it?
Plan your trip:
Get started now by booking your Serengeti hotel on Booking.com
Save time and money searching for the best Travel Insurance with the Seguros Promo comparator! Extra 5% off with coupon: FORTRAVELOVERS
Compare the best prices to rent a car from over 100 rental companies with Rentcars! (Pay in up to 12X! Pay in reais, without IOF)
Leave España with Unlimited 4G Internet!
