Serengeti Explorer by Elewana - Complete Resort Review
Executive Summary
Serengeti Explorer represents Elewana Collection's newest and most luxurious property in Tanzania's Serengeti. This comprehensive wellness lodge—converted from the former Sopa property—combines five-star dining, extensive amenities, and exceptional game viewing with a focus on holistic wellness experiences.
Property Overview
Property Type: Luxury lodge (not a tented camp)
Location: Serengeti, Tanzania
Management: Elewana Collection (Kenyan-owned)
History: Completely renovated from the old Sopa lodge property—existing infrastructure redesigned with modern aesthetics rather than new construction
Key Distinction: Full-service wellness lodge with safari experiences, featuring amenities rarely found in bush properties
Accommodation Details
Suite Features
Room Layout:
- King-size bed with overhead fan
- Expansive balcony spanning entire room length
- Separate seating area with comfortable lounge furniture
- Work desk area
- Full bar and mini-bar setup
- Coffee station with both press and pod options
Bathroom Amenities:
- Luxury bathtub with privacy screens
- Double vanity sinks
- Double shower head rainfall shower (room-sized bathroom)
- Extensive storage space
- Spa-like atmosphere and design
Unique Features:
- Floor-to-ceiling retractable screens on balcony (can sleep with doors open safely)
- Multiple sliding doors—entire wall opens to nature
- Brand new fixtures and furnishings
- Complimentary gourmet treats (perfectly executed macarons)
Guest Perspective: "This feels like the entrance to your own spa... This place truly feels like a retreat. Like this feels like home."
Dining Experience
Restaurant Options
Acacia Restaurant:
- Main dining venue with extensive indoor seating
- Open kitchen concept
- Outdoor terrace dining with panoramic views
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner service
Kissimmee Pool Bar & Restaurant:
- Poolside dining option
- Bar service throughout the day
- Casual atmosphere with outdoor seating
Private Dining:
- In-room service available
- Private bar setups for intimate dinners
Food Quality
Overall Assessment: Consistently exceptional five-star dining across all Elewana properties
Standout Dishes Sampled:
- Bean coconut soup (starter)
- Butter chicken with unique presentation and pastry accompaniment
- Coffee-crusted beef fillet (cooked to perfection)
- Red snapper with artistic plating
- Pineapple cheesecake (difficult to execute in bush settings—nailed perfectly)
- Artisan pizza at lunch
- Indian cuisine including chapatis, chicken dishes, and rice
- Smoked salmon croissant
- Steak fillet breakfast
Notable Detail: Executive chef previously worked at Elewana's Kilindi property in Zanzibar, maintaining consistency across the collection
Wellness & Amenities
Wellness Programs
Riverine Wellness Spa:
- Two treatment rooms (one double, one single)
- Professional massage therapists (Vanessa specifically noted for excellence)
- Alternative treatment locations available
- Sound healing sessions with yoga
- Meditation and mindfulness programs
Fitness Facilities:
- Full gym with modern equipment including squat racks (unprecedented for bush properties)
- Floor-to-ceiling windows with retractable screens
- Stunning natural views during workouts
Additional Wellness Features:
- Ice bath experiences (launching soon)
- Holistic wellness focus integrated throughout property
- Morning meditation practices
Other Amenities
Pool Complex:
- Swimming pool with lounging areas
- Pool bar service
- Wine tasting experiences by the pool (rare even in hotels)
Focus Media Room:
- Live waterhole feed on large screen
- Movie screening capability
- Educational content about Serengeti
Plains of Serengeti Center:
- Interactive exhibits on Serengeti history
- Educational programming
Soko Gift Shop:
- Souvenir shopping
- Local crafts and mementos
Accessibility:
- First safari property reviewed with elevator service
- Multiple floors connected for easy access
- Wheelchair-friendly design considerations
Safari Experience
Game Viewing Highlights
Wildlife Encounters:
- 11 lion cubs observed during sunrise game drive
- 6 adult female lions in trees
- 2 separate lion prides communicating (heard roaring at night)
- Multiple sightings of same pride across days
- Buffalo herds
- Giraffes
- Various antelope species
- Abundant birdlife
Serengeti Lion Population: Over 2,500 lions—more than any other location in the world
Proximity to Lodge: Lions found immediately down the hill from property—exceptional convenience
Safari Guide
Asan (Head Guide):
- Young, highly motivated professional
- Excellent personality and communication
- Deep passion for work evident
- Natural talent for guest interaction
- Expert tracking and wildlife knowledge
Unique Safari Activities
Photo Hide:
- Private, enclosed viewing structure
- Captain's chairs for comfort
- Bathroom facilities
- Retractable screens for fly protection
- Button-operated windows for photography
- Complimentary snacks and wine service
- Hour-long sitting sessions
- Rare amenity (approximately 1 in 12 camps offer this)
Game Drive Schedule:
- Early morning drives (5:30 AM departure)
- Afternoon/evening drives
- Flexible duration based on guest preferences
- Breakfast served during drives with gourmet spreads
Property Design & Layout
Arrival Experience
Grand Entrance:
- Stunning high ceilings
- Massive entrance doors
- Impressive reception area
- Immediate "grand reveal" of viewpoint location
Design Philosophy
Before & After:
- Previous Sopa design: Bright colors, dated aesthetic
- Current Elewana design: Modern, sophisticated, natural palette
- Complete interior renovation while maintaining structure
Architectural Features:
- Two-floor layout promoting guest distribution
- Retractable screen systems throughout (rain/bug protection)
- Open-air concepts with weather flexibility
- Multiple restaurant and lounge zones
Scale: Large property with capacity for many guests, though design minimizes feeling of crowding through:
- Multi-level distribution
- Various dining and gathering spaces
- Private balconies and outdoor areas
- Strategic guest flow design
Service Quality
Elewana Collection Standard:
- Attentive, personalized service
- Anticipatory guest care
- Professional staff throughout
- Consistent excellence across all touchpoints
Notable Touches:
- Private dinner setups in bar
- Customized breakfast presentations
- Flexible dining arrangements
- Thoughtful room amenities and treats
Recommended Stay Duration
Minimum: 3 nights (noted as first time reviewers have made this recommendation)
Ideal: 4 nights to fully experience:
- Multiple game drives
- Wellness programs and spa treatments
- Both restaurants
- Photo hide sessions
- Gym and pool facilities
- Slow mornings to enjoy property amenities
- Sunset experiences
Reviewer Note: "I've never said this about a property" - indicating exceptional amount of activities and experiences available
Ideal Guest Profile
Perfect For:
- Travelers seeking luxury lodge experience over tented camps
- Wellness-focused safari guests
- Those wanting five-star dining in the bush
- Guests appreciating modern amenities alongside nature
- Honeymooners or special celebrations
- Extended safari stays with relaxation focus
Alternative Elewana Options:
- Amboseli Camp: Traditional tented safari experience
- Losaba Star Beds: Ultra-remote, intimate wild experience
- Tarangire Tree Tops: Smaller, wild camp setting
Weather Considerations
Rainy Season Experiences:
- Dramatic weather can occur (thunderstorms witnessed)
- Property design accommodates rain well
- Retractable screens provide flexibility
- Game viewing remains excellent despite rain
Booking Information
Recommended Partner: Hungry Expeditions
- Specialized in East African safaris
- 2+ years of partnership with reviewers
- Expertise in Elewana properties
- Custom itinerary planning
- Full-service safari coordination
Final Assessment
Overall Rating: Among the most luxurious safari properties ever reviewed by these experienced travelers
Strengths:
- Exceptional food quality across all meals
- Comprehensive wellness programming
- Unprecedented amenities for bush location (elevator, gym equipment, photo hide)
- Excellent lion viewing opportunities
- Professional, passionate staff
- Modern, beautiful design
- Flexible dining and activity options
Considerations:
- Large property scale may not suit those seeking intimate camp experience
- Lodge format differs from traditional tented safari aesthetic
- May feel "too luxurious" for purist safari travelers
Bottom Line: For travelers seeking ultimate luxury, comprehensive amenities, exceptional dining, and integrated wellness experiences alongside world-class game viewing, Serengeti Explorer may be the definitive choice in Tanzania.
Weather & Timing
Sunrise Game Drives: Clear morning skies observed, providing excellent photography conditions and wildlife activity
Night Sounds: Lion roars audible from rooms—authentic bush experience maintained despite luxury accommodations
Review based on 2-night stay; reviewers noted 3-4 nights would be optimal for full property experience