Ngorongoro Crater Lodge hotel is perched on the edge of the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater at the eastern edge of the Serengeti in northern Tanzania. It lies within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which covers more than 8 000 square kilometres (3 100 square miles) of pristine Africa wilderness. Inspired in design by the Maasai mud-and-stick manyatta (homestead), Ngorongoro Crater Lodge luxury hotel is without doubt one of the most architecturally spectacular safari lodges in Tanzania.
Perched high on the Ngorongoro Crater rim, Ngorongoro Crater Lodge overlooks one of the most fascinating volcanic calderas in the world. An important part of Tanzania’s incredible northern safari and holiday circuit, on the world's largest unbroken caldera, the Crater Lodge provides extraordinary accommodation in a spectacular situation.There are few places that truly are worthy of travel in Tanzania for the sake of the experience of staying there alone.
The Crater Lodge is one of these, distinguished by its unique combination of style and setting. Carved into the topmost reaches of the Ngorongoro Crater rim, the Crater Lodge is a dream-inspiring haven of artisan crafts and burning fire bowls, samovars, fresh roses and sumptuous gourmet delights. It is opulent and yet intimate, with no more than 12 guests in each separate ‘camp’, and a very subtle ratio of three staff to each guest.
Ngorongoro Crater lodge Hotel Accommodation
Set in classic crescents and inspired in design by the Maasai mud-and-stick manyatta, there are three separate camps – North and South Camp each with 12 suites and Tree Camp with six suites. Each stilted suite is sumptuously furnished with panelled walls and floors made of Tanzanian hardwoods, rich raw silk curtains, hand beaded chandeliers, gilt mirrors, a fireplace and a butler’s lobby. En suite bathrooms with a centrepiece of red roses have twin hand basins, shower, chandelierlit bathtub and separate w.c. The suites all feature decks with magnificent views of the Crater floor.
• North and South Camp (12 suites)
• Intimate Tree Camp (6 suites)
• Each with spectacular Crater view
• Private viewing decks
• Exclusive butler service
• Spacious en suite bathrooms
• Extraordinary guest areas
• African gift shop and art gallery
Steeped in romance, each mud and thatch suite is reminiscent of a bygone era, with the stilted, handcrafted structures adorned in graceful antiques, grand chandeliers and African treasures. The bedroom, sitting room and en suite bathroom boast floor-to-ceiling glass windows, overlooking the magnificent Crater below. Your personal butler will discreetly tend to your every need, bringing you tea in bed, stoking your fireplace and drawing your bath.
Described as Maasai meets Versailles, each extraordinary camp operates independently with its own central living and dining areas and viewing decks.
Early settler-style interiors combine silver, gold and ruby colours under banana-leaf ceilings and grass roofs. Beaded chandeliers hang above large gilt mirrors, and antiques, plump cushions, voluptuous raw silk curtains and leather-backed chairs blend harmoniously with African art elements. Each camp has a sitting and dining room, an outdoor dining area and viewing decks. The sitting rooms have woven banana bark ceilings and are adorned with hand beaded chandeliers, carved and gilded wall plaques, brocade sofas, Persian carpets, candles and bowls of red roses. The domed dining room with its welcoming fireplace, crystal, silver and massive wooden platters make every meal a special occasion. Delicious Pan-African cuisine may also be enjoyed on the outdoor dining deck. At the entrance to the Lodge there is a well-stocked Safari Shop.
Ngorongoro Crater lodge Hotel Restaurant
The food at the Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is absolutely exceptional and some of the best we have tasted in Tanzania.
Breakfast is a vast spread of fresh bread, cereals, fresh fruit, dried fruit and yogurt. This is all set out on a wide buffet table in the middle of the dining area where you can help yourself. You will then be offered a cooked breakfast - choose from a hearty English breakfast, eggs benedict, boiled eggs or perhaps smoked salmon and scrambled eggs if available. You might chose to take a packed lunch with you into the Crater, which will include delicious sandwiches, fruit and perhaps a pastry or cake of some sort. These packed lunches are perfect to keep you going whist out on a busy day of safari.
If you are in the lodge for lunch – there is usually a buffet spread on offer which features refreshing food such as of crispy green salads, bean salads, as well as cold meats and tasty olive oil dressings.
Tea and biscuits is on offer in the late afternoon. Later, there is time to freshen up after your activity, before guests gather in the lounge area at around 7pm, for a glass of wine and a pre-dinner chat with the lodge managers and fellow guests.
At your leisure you can then move to your table, where you will be seated for dinner.
Dinner is an impressive three-course affair with something like a light soup starter, a tasty meat dish which will undoubtedly be cooked to perfection for the main course, and then a rich and beautifully presented desert.
Ngorongoro Crater Lodge – dinner is accompanied by an entertaining performance from some of the team who sang a number of African classics, as well as some written specially for the guests of the lodge. Dining style: Individual Tables
Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining Room service: The Ngorongoro Crater Lodge will happily provide room service. They can also set up private lunches on your verandah on request – however it would be a bit to chilly to do this in the evenings for dinner. Cost of meal e.g. lunch: Included Drinks included: Almost all drinks are included, except for some cellar wines, spirits and champagnes.
Ngorongoro Lodge safari ideas
Honeymoons: The Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is a beautiful lodge set right on the rim of the Crater. The views create a spectacular backdrop for this romantic property. With excellent food and service, staying here is certainly right for a special occasion.
Attitude towards children: The lodge recommends that children should be over the age of eight to stay at the Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, though children of all ages are welcome.
Age restrictions: The Ngorongoro Crater Lodge does not allow children under the age of eleven to stay in Tree Camp. However both North and South Camp welcome children of all ages but advise that the lodge is best suited to mature children over the age of eight.
Communications: There is mobile phone reception at the Ngorongoro Crater Lodge and complementary internet access in the shop. You can also use your hotel room to call internationally for a substantial $10 per minute charge.
Laundry facilities: Laundry is included – it is machine washed and beautifully ironed, and will be returned to you in by the next day.
Exciting game-drives
Game drives into the Crater in closed safari vehicles with pop-up roofs (07h00 to 14h00 and 15h00 to 18h00). Birdwatching, half-day trips to Olduvai Gorge and Shifting Sands subject to vehicle availability. Optional activities at an additional cost include walking on the rim of the Crater or in Empakaai Crater, a cultural Maasai boma visit, sundowners with spectacular views over Lake Eyasi, excursions to Lake Ndutu and private bush breakfasts and lunches. Driving into the Serengeti is an optional extra, and highly recommended during the first four months of the year.
• There are four distinct habitats which are home to 25 000 animals – boasting excellent year-round game viewing
• Big Five, including black-maned lion
• Tanzania’s best locality for viewing black rhino
• Resident bull elephants with spectacular tusks
• Abundance of lion prides and spotted hyena clans
• Thousands of lesser and greater flamingo in the soda lake
• Excellent montane forest birdwatching on Crater rim
• Excursions to annual breeding grounds of over one million wildebeest (January to February)
• Excursions to famous Olduvai Gorge (world-famous hominid fossil site)
