4 Days in the Serengeti at the Four Seasons Safari Lodge
I’ve been on over 70 safaris across all the major parks in Africa. Plus, many private game reserves from South to East Africa. Yet I had only been to the Serengeti once back in 2006. Albeit for ten days or so camping in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. So I was thrilled to have a new experience and do 4 days in the Serengeti at the Four Seasons Safari Lodge. Honestly, it couldn’t have been a better experience.
Not shockingly, the Four Seasons Safari Lodge is phenomenal. In Four Seasons style, the little things and details make the differences. The service was impeccable. The rooms were stellar. The food was excellent. But most of all there is a feeling of family when you’re at a place like the Four Seasons Safari Lodge. That goes a long way with me.
We arrived for the first of 4 days in the Serengeti at the Four Seasons Safari Lodge and were met by our driver. He had set up a snacks and drinks table in the parking lot of the Seronera Airport. It was a nice welcome after a long journey from Entebbe, Uganda via Nairobi and Kilimanjaro.
Seronera is located in the Central Serengeti. So the one-hour drive from the airport to the hotel turned into a multi-hour affair because it was basically a bonus safari. Right off the bat, there was a family of elephants. Quickly followed by a ton of zebras, wildebeest and giraffes. By the time we arrived at the Four Seasons Safari Lodge, we’d basically done a safari already.
Check-in at the Four Seasons Safari Lodge was a breeze and it was off to the rooms. Mine was perfect: a suite with a plunge pool overlooking the Savannah of the Serengeti. I couldn’t have been happier. Not to mention the perfection of the bed, excellent shower and general homely feel.
We spent the rest of the day relaxing at the pool after the long journey, having cocktails then an awesome dinner at Boma. Boma is one of the 3 on-property restaurants at the Four Seasons Safari Lodge. The food was very good but what made Boma special was the ambience and the shows featuring Masai Warriors while you eat dinner.
The next morning on day 2 of my 4 days in the Serengeti at the Four Seasons Safari Lodge it was a game drive. We left at 7am and got back at about 2:15pm so we really got our moneys worth! We saw just about everything except the cheetah, rhino and wild dogs of things I love to see. But we got very high quality.
Right now is the tail end of the Great Migration across the Serengeti. There were some 2 million zebras and wildebeests migrating across the plains. In all my safaris I had never seen so many animals. It was pretty overwhelming and truly amazing.
We decided day 3 was a day of relaxation at the hotel. We didn’t do a game drive because sitting at the pool or looking off your balcony is basically a game drive that comes to you!
The pool at the Four Seasons Safari Lodge is the centerpiece of the lodge and everything kind of revolves around it. You have breakfast and/or dinner right above it and much of the lobby area overlooks it, as does the gym.
The gym was something I used every morning and actually sometimes a double session in the afternoon as well! I always believe in staying fit traveling all the time. A good gym at a resort like the Four Seasons Safari Lodge is imperative to making that easier.
Also, the spa is gorgeous. Even if you don’t get a treatment you can use one of their bungalows for the steam room as I did on 3 occasions. I love steam rooms and it’s such a great way to relax and recharge. My friends did get treatments and they raved about them. The basic rule of thumb is Four Seasons spas don’t suck!
Day 4 was a classic that we will all remember for a long time. The first half of the day was spent at the pool perfecting our tans (sarcasm). After yet another excellent lunch it was off on an afternoon game drive.
As I mentioned we hadn’t yet seen a cheetah so that was our top priority and out intrepid driver Joseph made it happen. He found 3 cheetahs just after a kill. They were eating, sleeping then eating again. These beautiful animals are a pleasure to look at. Plus, watching the eating is not for the squeamish but it’s all part of the circle of life (insert Elton John song here from the Lion King)!
While it was too dark to photograph or video; we saw a lion chasing a herd of zebras. She was unsuccessful in her hunt but then the hundreds of zebras turned it around and rushed at her and the lioness had to scamper away. In all my safaris it was only the 3rd chase I’ve seen and have never seen an actual kill-just the aftermath. So it was a great afternoon safari and amazing sunset!
The Four Seasons Safari Lodge set us up with a special dinner in a private wine room. I didn’t know they were going to do this so it was a nice surprise. They had special, personalized menus and excellent dishes you couldn’t get at the main lodge. It was pretty much perfect and everyone enjoyed it! My thanks to the staff for making it such an awesome experience.
I could go on and on about my 4 days in the Serengeti at the Four Seasons Safari Lodge but I think you get the point. It was basically perfect, as you’d expect from a Four Seasons Resort. I couldn’t recommend a place more. While all high-end safari lodges around Africa are good, the Four Seasons Safari Lodge is right there at the top.
Big thanks to my buddy Joe @joeinsm on Instagram for some amazing photos I used here!
I am so jealous of this trip, I was following you a few weeks ago when you were there. This is right at the top of my bucket list. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks! It’s a dream trip even for someone who travels a lot like me. They don’t get much better!