Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
My Safari
Perched high on the Crater rim, Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is situated in a spectacular location and provides opulent but intimate accommodation.
It boasts 30 circular stilted suites divided into 3 camps. North and South camp each have 12 suites and Tree camp has 6 suites. All have en suite facilities and decks with spectacular views of the crater floor.
Each camp has a sitting and dining area, an outdoor dining area and viewing decks. Sitting rooms have sofas, Persian carpets, candles and bowls of red roses. Dining rooms have a welcoming fireplace, crystal, silver and massive wooden platters, making every meal an experience to savour.
Activities: Morning or afternoon game drives (in closed sided vehicles with pop up roofs as per regulations for Tanzania northern circuit safaris), guided walks or drives in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area or to Olduvai Gorge, bird watching safaris, walking on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater or Empakaai Crater, cultural visits to a Maasai village, sundowners at Lake Eyasi, excursions to Lake Ndutu, private bush breakfasts/lunches.
Accommodation:
30 fabulous suites distributed among three sub-camps
Child Policy:
No age restriction, but recommended to be over 8.
Availability:
Open all year around
Additional Costs:
Fully inclusive (as it should be, at these prices!)
Additional experiences here include a special banquet set up on the Crater floor (at an additional $75 per person), sundowners at a special view point ($40 additional), or a special reception involving 200 Maasai warriors forming a guard of honour (from only $2220 per function).
Technology:
Power by generator. Complimentary internet access. Mobile phone reception.
Other:
What more to say? This lodge has everything - described as being 'where Versailles meets Maasai'. Each of the three camp areas has its own private butler, sitting and dining area.
Due to the time taken to descend to the floor of the Crater, only one game drive per day is conducted from here. The lodge's major minus point is that - as required under National Park rules - the game drive vehicles employed are of the 'closed van' type, with pop-up roofs, in serious contrast to the open sided and open topped 4X4s that to us provide the true game viewing experience.
