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Serengeti Explorer by Elewana
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania · Elewana Collection · Core Luxury
The old Serengeti Sopa Lodge, receiving guests in the central Serengeti since 1980, came back in 2024 as Serengeti Explorer, the first house under Minor Hotels' Explorer brand. Seventy-four rooms and suites, sixty-eight of them Savannah Rooms, look over the plains from private balconies after a rebuild that reused the old stone in dry-stack walls.
- 74 rooms
- Opened 1980
- Neighborhood: Serengeti
- Rooms from 495 sq ft (46 m²)
About Serengeti Explorer by Elewana
- A wine-cellar chef's table, art gallery, kids' bushcraft centre, yoga, outdoor cinema, and photo lab sit in the new lodge.
- Shanga, Elewana's social enterprise, made lighting and decor from recycled materials.
- Ngorongoro Explorer is the planned crater-rim sibling, converting the old Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge on the same Explorer badge.
- Entry-level rooms start at 495 sq ft (46 m²).
History
Serengeti Sopa Lodge opened in the central Serengeti in 1980. After an extensive refurbishment it reopened in 2024 as Serengeti Explorer by Elewana, the first property under Minor Hotels' Explorer brand, with a planned Ngorongoro Explorer crater-rim sibling. Seventy-four rooms and suites (68 Savannah Rooms and 6 suites) look over the plains from private balconies. The rebuild reused stone from the old lodge in dry-stack walls. A wine-cellar chef's table, art gallery, kids' bushcraft centre, yoga, outdoor cinema, and photo lab sit in the new house. Shanga, Elewana's social enterprise, made lighting and decor from recycled materials.
Restaurants and bars
- Acacia restaurant — Restaurant
- Kisimani pool bar and restaurant — Poolside
- Poolside Bistro & Bar — Poolside · Farm-to-table
- Chef's Table — Restaurant · Locally sourced, sustainable ingredients
- Boma Restaurant — Restaurant · African and Swahili
- Deli & Coffee Shop — Café
Experiences
- On-site hide — Described as the Serengeti's first on-site hide, offering wildlife viewing at the lodge.
- Boma dining — Outdoor bush dinner under the Serengeti sky at the Boma Restaurant, with African and Swahili dishes.
- Chef's Table and Divai wine cellar — Private dining within the extensive wine cellar, with locally sourced ingredients and wine pairing.
- Guided bush walks — Guided walking safaris of 2-3 hours, led by an armed walking guide and a TANAPA ranger; maximum six guests.
- Game drives — Morning and afternoon game drives in open and hybrid vehicles, with direct access to the Serengeti Mara ecosystem.
- Bush breakfasts and sundowners — Bush breakfasts and sundowners offered on property.
Amenities
- Pool
- Kids club
Open Serengeti Explorer by Elewana in the atlas for live weekend rates, photos, and the full folio.
More Elewana Collection hotels
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- Elewana Serengeti Pioneer Camp — Serengeti, Tanzania · High Luxury
- Elewana Tarangire Treetops — Tarangire National Park, Tanzania · High Luxury
- Elewana The Manor at Ngorongoro — Karatu, Tanzania · Core Luxury
- Ngorongoro Explorer by Elewana — Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania · Core Luxury
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- Elewana Serengeti Migration Camp — Elewana Collection · High Luxury
- Lamai Serengeti — Independent · High Luxury
- Namiri Plains — Asilia Africa · High Luxury
- andBeyond Grumeti Serengeti River Lodge — andBeyond · Grand Luxury
Elewana Collection in The Maison: the brand's idea, history and every house on the atlas.