Taking the Eco Route
The Serena Group is committed to an escalating eco-policy that embraces sensitivity to the interests of the local population in relation to such matters as: cultural preservation, sustainable habitat and community development. The group also abides by a code of responsible practice in relation to: energy conservation, waste recycling, sewage disposal, air emissions, pesticides, noise reduction and visual pollution. Finally, all Serena Group properties are built to harmonise with the local landscape and to utilise eco-friendly materials, local handicrafts and products. Wherever possible we also aim to enhance the environment via landscaping and indigenous plant material reinforcement.

The Serena Mombasa Beach Hotel Eco Programme
The hotel was originally built and continues to be maintained using local materials and craftsmen. The interior decor also makes extensive use of local art, crafts and furniture whilst much of the woodwork and raffia-work has been made by the members of the Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya. The majority of the hotel staff and the visiting entertainers are drawn from the local community, much of the fresh foodstuffs come from the local markets whilst all the seafood is bought from accredited local suppliers. The hotel also sells locally produced crafts in its boutiques and hosts a weekly ‘Lamu Market’ where local craftspeople can sell their work. The hotel also contributes towards local fund-raising projects and encourages the guests to visit local attractions such as the Bamburi Nature Trail and the Ngomongo Cultural Village.

The hotel cooperates with the Kenya Sea Turtle Conservation Committee on a rescue and conservation project that aims to protect the nesting and feeding sites of seven species of migratory turtles. The programme protects the turtles from poisoning by toxins or plastics, reduces the incidence of their capture by trawlers and fishing nets, curbs the exploitation of turtle meat, shells oil and eggs and protects the hatching cycle of the baby turtles.

The hotel has also recently set up an ambitious Butterfly Project, which aims to provide breeding areas for over 12 species of endangered forest butterflies. The butterflies are hatched as larvae, emerge into pupa and evolve into fully-fledged butterflies within the carefully constructed confines of the breeding houses, all of which are planted with foliage specific to the breeding and feeding habits of the various species. Once sufficient numbers of each species have been reared, selected groups are released into the hotel grounds where they fulfil a much-needed ecological function, pollinating the flowering plants of the ecosystem and acting as an accurate indicator species as to the health of the coastal biosphere.

		The best butterfly hotel on the beach To those who toil at the coalface of conservation, the butterfly performs much the same alarm-raising function as did the caged canaries for the coalminers of the Industrial revolution. Except for the fact that the coalminers were alerted to the presence of gas in the mine when the canary fell off its perch... > Find out more
		Turning Turtle According to Buddhist tradition there is a blind turtle lying at the bottom of a vast ocean. On the surface of the ocean floats a golden ring. Once every hundred years the blind turtle rises to the surface of the ocean with the intention of piercing the ring. Unsurprisingly, his success rate is low... > Find out more
		The single largest rhino trans-location undertaken in East Africa starts on February 1st, 2007 On the 1sth of February the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, the Kenya Wildlife Services and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy will commence the single biggest rhino translocation ever undertaken in East Africa. In total 34 black rhino will be translocated, 4 from Ol Jogi to Ol Pejeta, 4 from Solio to Ol Jogi and 26 from Solio to Ol Pejeta. > Find out more

Where to go from here
If you have enjoyed the Serena Experience in Mombasa, you might like to take in some of our other properties. This way you can contrast the sapphire and silver ribbon of the Swahili Coast with the beauty of the savannah lands, the vaulted green of a tropical rainforest or the cosmopolitan bustle of downtown Nairobi. Here are some suggestions that we believe will really complement your beach experience.

Get into Amboseli National Park
Framed against the glorious backdrop of the ethereally beautiful Mount Kilimanjaro and surrounded by miles of rolling grasslands where vast herds of elephant roam, this traditional yet luxurious lodge is the safari destination of a lifetime.

Go up to Mount Kenya at Mountain Lodge
A cool, green, misty 3,000 m high on the forested slopes of magnificent Mount Kenya, floats the magical wooden ark of Mountain Lodge. Nestled by a water hole that acts as a magnet to great herds of elephant as well as a fantasia of other creatures, this secretively special lodge also offers fascinating nature trails, well-informed guides and some fabulous forest cuisine.

Get into the Bright City Lights at Nairobi Serena Hotel
The Nairobi Serena is the proud flagship of the group and offers an elegantly stylish haven in the heart of the capital city. As well as a world-class health club, lush tropical gardens and a selection of state of the art business back up services it is also home to one of Nairobi’s very finest restaurants, The Mandhari.