Standing high on the banks of the slow, brown Rufiji River, with glorious views down to the plunging torrents of Stiegler’s Gorge, the Serena Mivumo River Lodge offers just twelve luxurious rooms, each of which is housed in a timbered chalet with private viewing deck and plunge pool. Traditionally thatched, with high vaulted ceilings and picture windows, each room features an engaging mix of classic safari antiques and ultra-modern leather and rattan styled furniture. Softly lit and breeze-cooled, the Serena Mivumo River Lodge offers the ultimate escape to one of the world’s last undiscovered wilderness frontiers. 
Overlooking the Rufiji River, the spacious central dining room, lounge, library and bar each have their own spacious timber and thatched chalets, which are interconnected by broad wooden walkways offering excellent views of the hippos and elephants of the riverbank. High on the river bank is a spectacular ‘infinity’ pool and sundeck; also an exclusive aromatherapy spa, where a wide range of entirely natural massages, scrubs and body wraps are offered. 

Accommodation

Serena Mivumo River Lodge offers only 12 exclusive rooms. Widely spaced amongst the indigenous forest, each is accommodated in its own wildwood chalet, whose brushwood thatched roof is high vaulted to allow maximum play of light and breeze. Slightly raised on sprung wooden floors, each room features a charming mix of Edwardian crystal chandeliers, marble basins, classic safari antiques and subtly understated modern leather and rattan furniture. The spacious and opulent country-house-inspired bathrooms also feature an exterior shower with wilderness views.
Each Serena Mivumo River Lodge room has its own extensive private sun-deck, loungers, plunge-pool and river views.

Room facilities include: Air-conditioning, Laundry, valet and shoeshine services, LCD satellite TV in-room, Mineral water and toiletries, Bathrobe and slippers, Snacks and drinks room service, Safe and hairdryers (from reception),24-hour medical service
   
Facilities:
Twelve opulent air-conditioned rooms
Each with private sundeck and plunge pool
All rooms with LCD TV
Luxury bathrooms with al fresco showers
Central dining room with magnificent views
Safari bar with river view
Library and lounge
Aromatherapy Spa
Infinity pool and sundeck
Bush breakfasts and sundowners daily
Wedding planning and honeymoon venue
Gift shop, business centre, WiFi
Extensive selection of sports and activities

Dining and bars

Slightly raised on timber decks above the famous Rufiji River, the open-sided dining room of the Serena Mivumo River Lodge offers a selection of exclusive seating areas, an elegant library, a charming lounge and a safari bar. All overlook the river with uninterrupted views of the hippos, elephants and crocodiles that congregate on its banks.

Bush dining at Serena Mivumo River Lodge

The lodge staffs are experts in arranging breakfasts, lunches, dinners and cocktails in the bush. We have a number of dedicated sites, which are typically presented with tables, safari chairs, ‘bush bar’ and a ‘bush kitchen’, where a broad range of meats, poultry, fish and vegetables are cooked on-site (supplemented by fresh soups, salads and puddings from our hotel kitchens). In the evenings, ‘sun-downer’ cocktails are traditionally served around a campfire and can be followed by a lamp-lit ‘bush dinner’.

Conference and event facilities

Serena Mivumo River Lodge does not offer specific conference facilities but will be happy to quote for small meetings and social gatherings.

Weddings and honeymoons

The Selous makes the ideal honeymoon choice. Pristine, undiscovered and the last of the great safari frontiers, it offers a multitude of unique experiences ranging from river safaris to wilderness picnics. As for the Serena Mivumo River Lodge, our supremely private and spacious chalets are specifically designed to deliver the ultimate ‘getaway from it all’ experience. Each one also features a private deck with plunge pool for two.

Additionally Serena Mivumo River Lodge can offer: Welcoming fruit and flowers; A special table for two in our dining room Dinner in your room if you would prefer; Private dinner for two on your candle-lit deck; Honeymoon breakfast in bed with sparkling wine; The option of breakfast for two in the bush; The option of a massage for two in your room

Child-friendly

Due to the unique nature of Serena Mivumo River Lodge, it is not consider it suited to children under the age of six. Appreciating the importance of quality family time, the lodge is also committed to ensuring that guests can relax, secure in the knowledge that their children are having as great a holiday as they are. With this in mind they offer a wide range of family-friendly accommodation options (adjoining rooms, triple rooms or additional beds, cots and child-minding services can be provided - prior notice appreciated); children’s dining and plenty of adventure, sports and educational entertainment for children of all ages.

All meals are generous buffet-styled presentations, with something to suit absolutely everyone. High-chairs can be provided, as can baby-friendly food.

Children’s entertainment:

The lodge offers its own swimming pool (supervised by a qualified life-guard but not suited to small children other than under parental supervision); a wide selection of board-games and books on Africa and the wilderness. Professional nature guides also offer nightly talks and video presentations on wildlife.
 
Serena Mivumo River Lodge Maisha health, beauty and wellness facilities

The signature ‘Maisha’ brand covers a range of health facilities and spas, which are featured in all of our city hotels, coastal resorts, safari lodges and tented camps. The extent of services offered varies – from provision of a full health club and spa facility to simple massage, manicure and pedicure services.

Things to do and see:
Spectacular game drives around the stunning Selous ecosystem 
Boating safaris down the Rufiji River
Gentle nature trails around the Lodge in the company of our resident naturalist
A full safari breakfast, cooked in the bush
Bush dinners overlooking the river
Atmospheric ‘Sundowners’ in the wilderness
‘Maisha’ health, beauty and wellness facilities
Swimming or sunbathing at our ‘vanishing horizon’ swimming pool.

The Serena Mivumo River Lodge boating safari:

Custom-built open-sided river boats are built for comfort, safety and panoramic viewing. Piloted by dedicated safari guides, they also feature refreshments on-board and radio-links for fast location of game. Utterly unique, the Rufiji River game-viewing experience promises abundant sightings of hippos (both in and out of the water), basking crocodiles and elephants. It also offers the rare chance of seeing a lion come down to the river and drink.  Offering a profusion of water birds, the river is typically lined with thousands of African skimmers and is one of the few places in Africa where one can spot the rare Pel’s fishing owl. In the dense Borassus palms that line the banks, huge numbers of African palm swifts whirl, while the dense tree cover offers sanctuary to black and white colobus monkeys, vultures and African fish eagles.