Fodor's Expert Review Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge

Situated beside a natural flowing spring with spectacular views of Mt. Kilimanjaro, this lodge's ochre-color guest rooms line paved walkways that weave through landscaped gardens. The food, cooked with locally grown herbs and vegetables, is excellent, particularly the house-made pasta. Because the lodge is near the Enkongo Narok Swamp, there's always plenty of game around, and it's common to spot elephants from your breakfast table. Take a game drive, go walking with a Maasai guide, enjoy a bush breakfast, have sunset drinks on top of Observation Hill, or relax at the swimming pool and sundeck. The rooms are small and fairly basic, but they have touches of Maasai-inspired decor, walk-in showers, and verandahs. Always remember to keep your doors and windows closed to keep out marauding vervet monkeys, which look cute but can make off with your belongings. There is one suite, which has its own private garden and rooftop balcony, and which has direct views to Kilimanjaro. What the lodge lacks in luxury is more than made up for by the friendly and helpful staff, and it's family-friendly.