Seronera Central Serengeti · Safari Lodge
Hakuna Matata Safari Lodge by Heritage
A safari lodge on Turner 12 in the central Serengeti, with full board dining, included house beverages, and an unhurried family feel between game drives.
About
Hakuna Matata Safari Lodge sits on Turner 12 in the central Serengeti, the year round game corridor between Seronera and the Moru kopjes. The setting is open plains with scattered acacias and granite outcrops, close enough to the Seronera river circuit to reach the morning game drives without a long transfer.
The wildlife year here is steady. Resident lion prides patrol the kopje country to the south, leopards rest in the sausage trees along the rivers, and elephant herds move through the central plains in most months. The migration passes nearby on its southward leg in November and December, and returns north between April and June. Even in the shoulder months the central Serengeti remains one of the most reliable spots in Tanzania for big cat sightings.
The lodge runs as a permanent safari property. Rooms are comfortable with private bathrooms, mosquito nets, and 24 hour electricity. Meals are full board with house beverages included in the rate. The main lounge and dining area look out over the plains, and the staff are an unhurried mix of senior guides and family members who know the area well.
Suited to first time safari travellers who want a year round destination, photographers chasing the resident big cats, and families who appreciate a quieter property than the larger Seronera lodges. The full board and included beverages model keeps the daily cost predictable.
Access is by road from Arusha (roughly two days with a Manyara or Ngorongoro overnight) or by light aircraft to Seronera airstrip, around 40 minutes from the lodge.
Gallery
Signature experiences
Seronera river circuit game drives
Half and full day drives along the Seronera river system, the most reliable big cat circuit in the central Serengeti. Morning drives cover the river and floodplains; afternoon drives swing south to the Moru kopjes.
Hot air balloon safari (booked separately)
Lift off from the central Serengeti before dawn for a one hour flight over the plains. Booked direct with the balloon operator; not included in the lodge rate.
Bush breakfast on the plains
A pre arranged breakfast set up on the open plains after the morning game drive. Subject to weather and operations team availability.
Amenities
- Restaurant
- Lounge
- WiFi In Main Area
- Laundry On Request
- Daily Housekeeping
- 24 Hour Electricity
- Private Bathrooms
- Mosquito Nets
Best for
- First Time Safari
- Family
- Photography
- Year Round Safari
Wildlife you might see
- Resident Lion Prides On The Moru Kopjes Year Round
- Leopard Sightings Along The Seronera River System
- Wildebeest Migration Passes Through In November To December And Again April To June
- Elephant Herds In Most Months On The Central Plains
- Cheetah On The Open Plains Around Turner 12
Best time to visit
January, February, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
Location & access
Seronera Central Serengeti
Fly-in: Roughly 2 hours total. 45 minute road transfer Kilimanjaro to Arusha airport, then a 1 hour 10 minute scheduled flight on a Cessna Caravan to Seronera airstrip, then a 40 minute game drive transfer to the lodge.
Drive: Approximately 8 to 10 hours total from Kilimanjaro International, usually broken into two days. Day 1: 1 hour Kilimanjaro to Arusha, then 3 hours Arusha to Manyara or Ngorongoro for an overnight. Day 2: 3 hours to the Ngorongoro Conservation gate, then 3 hours descending into the Serengeti and reaching Turner 12.
Room types
Safari Room — Single Room
Comfortable room for solo travellers with private bathroom, mosquito net, and 24 hour electricity.
Safari Room — Double Room
Double bedded room for couples, with private bathroom and full board service.
Safari Room — Triple Room
Three person room with extra bed, suited to small families or friends sharing one room.
Safari Room — Quad Room
Four person room, suited to families or larger groups travelling together.
What's included
Included
- Full Board (breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
- House Beverages (water, Soft Drinks, Juices)
- Daily Housekeeping
- In Room Amenities And Toiletries
- 18% VAT
Not included
- Park Entry Fees
- Concession Fees
- TDL (Tanzania Development Levy)
- Game Drive Vehicle Hire
- Transfers And Flights
- Tips And Gratuities
- Travel Insurance
- Premium Drinks
Frequently asked
How many rooms does Hakuna Matata Safari Lodge have?
The lodge is a small permanent property on Turner 12 in the central Serengeti, with single, double, triple, and quad rooms available.
When is the lodge open?
Year round. The lodge runs on a high season window (15 December to 28 February, plus 15 June to 31 October) and a low season window (1 March to 14 June, plus 1 November to 14 December).
How do guests reach the lodge?
By light aircraft to Seronera airstrip (around 2 hours total from Kilimanjaro), or by road over two days via Manyara or Ngorongoro.
Are families with children welcome?
Yes. Children under 4 stay free, children 5 to 12 are charged at 50 percent of the adult rate, and children 13 and over are charged the full adult rate.
What is included in the rate?
Full board dining (breakfast, lunch, dinner), house beverages (water, soft drinks, juices), daily housekeeping, and 18 percent VAT. Park entry fees, concession, TDL, transfers, and game drive vehicle hire are not included.
What is the best time to visit?
Year round. The central Serengeti has consistent big cat sightings every month. The migration passes through in November to December on its southward leg and again April to June on the way back north.
What's nearby
- Moru Kopjes30 minutes south. Granite outcrops with resident lion prides, rock hyrax colonies, and Maasai rock paintings.
- Retina Hippo Pool45 minutes north along the Seronera river system. A permanent pool with hippo and resident crocodile.
- Olduvai GorgeRoughly 2.5 hours drive south west. Paleontological site where the Leakeys uncovered some of the earliest human fossils.
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