Ngorongoro Crater Lodge (reopening January 2027)

Ngorongoro Crater Lodge has been called the game lodge at the top of the world. Where Maasai meets Versailles. It is themed in romance, on the rim of Ngorongoro’s ancient caldera. This lavish lodge is the best place to stay when visiting Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania.

The position is incredibly spectacular. With ever changing views as mists swirl over the massive wildlife cauldron below. At this lodge, guests can be forgiven for losing track of which century, or even continent, they are in. Everything has been chosen to excite the imagination and enhance the breathtaking vistas of natural beauty.

One of the largest concentrations of wildlife in Africa, the list of species existing in the Ngorongoro Crater is enormous. One can find 50 different species of large mammals. These include lions, elephants, rhinos, hippos, giraffes, eland, impala, baboons, warthogs, and hyenas. Not to mention the massive amounts of grazing wildebeest and zebras. And in the shallow Crater Lake huge flocks of bright pink flamingos. Boasting such a diverse variety of animals in the relatively small space of this beautiful crater. With its lush green grasses and stunning blue water. It is what makes this such an incredible safari experience.

As the sun sets, listen to Maasai warriors chant while enjoying your favorite sundowner overlooking the game-rich Crater. This region is also rich in culture, history, and diversity.

Please note Ngorongoro Crater Lodge will be closed for a major refurbishment from 16th January 2025 to 15th January 2027

See alternative Ngorongoro Crater places to stay.

Ngorongoro Crater Lodge Accommodation

Perched above swirling mists on the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater and offering breathtaking views is one of the most spectacular lodges in Africa. Features lavish safari suites inspired in design by a Maasai homestead. Personal butlers serve each guest discreetly. Bringing tea to their bedsides, stoking fireplaces, and pouring bubble baths.

Steeped in romance; each of the 30 x stilted suites has graceful antiques, grand chandeliers, and elegant African treasures. They are all handcrafted with mud and thatch with banana leaf ceilings. The bedroom, sitting room, and en-suite bathrooms boast floor to ceiling glass windows overlooking the magnificent Crater below.

The suites are divided into three camps. Namely: North Camp, South Camp, and Tree Lodge. Consequently, providing an intimate and unique experience at each camp. Each camp has its own sitting and dining areas. With private butlers who provide warm, personal service.

Wheelchair access

Two rooms are accessible with assistance, as all rooms have stairways. All main areas have stairs, however, North Camp has a small ramp to the main area

Family Safaris at Ngorongoro Crater Lodge

Families and groups will fall in love with the diversity and adventure of Ngorongoro Crater Lodge. Two of the suites at &BEYOND Ngorongoro Crater Lodge’s North Camp are conveniently interlinked; via a closed walkway that allows access between the suites; while maintaining complete privacy. This is ideal for 2 couples traveling together or as a family suite; accommodating 2 x adults and 2 x children. A 3rd child can be accommodated on special request.

In addition, four of the suites can accommodate 1 x child of 16 years or younger in triple suites.

Kids Activities on Safari at Ngorongoro Crater Lodge

Children will have the opportunity to embark on the very exciting WILDchild program, which is filled with fun, interactive activities that offer opportunities to learn and discover new experiences and cultures. Adventures at &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge include:
Wood carving (with Carver Dullah’ in his workshop)
Tree planting in the tree nursery
Bead work with the Maasai mamas
A bow and arrow adventure
Baking cupcakes with the lodge’s chefs or
A game of soccer with the Buffalo Team, the lodge’s official Soccer team.

If paying for a private vehicle, children of any age may go on game drive. With access to sightings being at the discretion of the guide. Based on the behavior of both child and animals. Greater distances to animals may be adhered to. Or certain sightings may be avoided, in order to ensure the safety of all. Subject to availability and at an additional cost.

Child Minding: While there aren’t trained child minders, certain staff members who are wonderful with children are able to assist; at an additional cost.
Please note: The lodge is not fenced off and children are required to have an adult accompanying them at all times.

andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge Activities

Highlights of your adventure at &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge feature game drives, banquets on the Crater floor, hiking, wine tasting, and lion learnings.

Game Drives

Game drives descend into the Ngorongoro Crater through a lush highland forest, with magnificent bird life to be spotted among the different tree species. Once on the grassy crater floor, you may discover a large variety of grazing herbivores. As well as the predators that are attracted by this abundant supply of prey. Depending on the time of year, you may see huge flocks of pink flamingos around the shores of the shallow Lake Magadi. While the surrounding swamp is inhabited by hippos. Safari vehicles are closed, with glass windows and a pop-up roof. Off-road driving is not permitted.

The crater has formed its own ecosystem due to its enclosed nature. It is one place where you can certainly tick all the boxes. Sublime scenery, and abundant wildlife. Plus its very own distinctive Lerai Forest comprised of yellow fever trees. And Lake Magadi, a shallow soda lake. Roam to the east and you will find Gorigor Swamp and the Ngoitokitok Springs where happy pods of hippos can be found. The north of the Crater is where the bulk of the resident game resides thanks to the drier, open grasslands.

If you are after the ‘The Big Five’, it is all here waiting for you. Black rhino, Tusker elephants, lion, leopard, and hyena. Along with healthy herds of wildebeest, buffalo, and zebra. Other wildlife includes serval cats, cheetah, jackals, Grant’s and Thompson’s gazelle, flamingo, and bat-eared foxes. As well as approximately 400 species of colorful birds.

Experiences at an additional cost ↓

Dine in the Ngorongoro Crater

Indulge in a gourmet lunch feast served in one of the most unique settings in Africa. Descend into the scenic landscape of the Ngorongoro Crater and enjoy the incredible density of wildlife before making your way to a private picnic spot on the Crater floor. Tables set with snowy tablecloths and sparkling silver cutlery are laden with the most delectable of dishes. An army of butlers springs into action to attend to your every wish as you indulge in a mouthwatering meal served against the backdrop of groups of zebra strolling along the Crater floor.

Full day Empakai Crater hike

Empakaai Crater is a caved-in volcanic caldera. 300 meters in height and more than six kilometers in width. Rippling at its heart is Empakaai Lake. A deep alkaline pool that envelops three quarters of the crater’s floor. Standing at Empakai Crater’s imposing rim, you can see distinctive landmarks. Such as the distant fleecy snows of Kilimanjaro far on the eastern side of the Valley, the Great Rift Valley, and Ol Doinyo Lengai Volcano.

With a lake on the crater floor and the entire caldera encircled by a steep, densely forested wall, Empakaai is a scene of vast natural beauty. The steep slope calls for a degree of fitness. But the walk through the lush forest; with its ancient strangler figs and rich bird life, is well worth the effort. The trail continues to the lake shore, where you can view water birds such as flamingos.

Along your hiking sojourn, while taking in the glorious sights, you are sure to spot a profusion of animals. Including blue monkeys, buffalo, bushbucks, and waterbucks. Plus an extensive array of bird life.

Cultural visit to the Hadzabe bushmen

Spend the day with the Hadzabe people. These ancient hunter-gatherers inhabit the land near Lake Eyasi. A gorgeous soda lake that’s part of the Great Rift Valley of East Africa. Witness their unchanged, traditional way of life and harmony with the earth. Accompanied throughout by an andBeyond ranger, guests have the opportunity to engage with the Bushmen. To learn all about their hunting techniques, survival skills, food preparation, and cultural norms. A veritable step back in time. This is an undeniably authentic cultural journey into rural Tanzania that reveals the untold world of these charismatic people.

Hadzabe men search for food alone.  And return home with golden honey, sweet fruit, or hearty wild game; when, and if available. Women go out in large groups and forage for bright berries, baobab fruit, and tubers, depending on availability. In the rainy, wet season, sweet honey is the main staple of their diet along with colorful fruit, tubers, and sometimes meat.

Tour Of Olduvai Gorge and Shifting Sands In Tanzania

Visit the archaeological site of Olduvai Gorge where the earliest remains of homo sapiens were discovered by Mary Leaky. Explore the quaint little museum and marvel at the rugged landscape. Deposits exposed in the sides of the gorge cover have yielded a treasure trove of fossil remains.

Move on to the Shifting Sands. A remarkable dune of volcanic ash appearing completely out of place on the short grassy plains. Constantly on the move, the dune drifts slowly across the landscape at the mercy of the prevailing winds. Intriguing and utterly fascinating phenomena, these dunes are formed when there’s ample ash on the ground and a unidirectional wind to create the shifting effect. Clustering around a rock, the volcanic ash continually gathers and forms what appears to be a small sand dune.

Explore lion conservation with KopeLion

The Lion Recovery Fund has a selection of lion conservation initiatives that it supports. One of which is the KopeLion project which works on the periphery of &BEYOND Ngorongoro Crater Lodge. Working with the local community and other lodges; this lion recovery project aims to create a corridor of tolerance between the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. To ensure the long term viability and improve the genetics of the Ngorongoro lion crater population.

Visitors have the opportunity to interact with the KopeLion conservation team. To get a deeper understanding of their day to day operations and what it is really like for the Maasai to live side by side with wildlife. This insightful experience will allow you to understand the challenges and complexities of wildlife and human coexistence.

Accompanied by a KopeLion researcher, you’ll start with a short walk to check on one of the Panthera camera traps. Then you’ll travel by car through Maasai villages, and a diversity of habitats. From the lush Crater rim, through sparse grasslands, and into a beautiful secluded forest spot. Here you’ll meet one of the KopeLion ‘Ilchokuti’ (lion guardians) who will talk about his work. That entails both working with the local communities, and protecting the lions.

These experiences have to be booked in advance. All generate a donation to KopeLion.

The best time to visit Ngorongoro Crater

Timing is everything so the below gives you an idea of the best time to visit Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, based on your interests.

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area has exceptional game viewing all year round.
The best time to hike into Empakai Crater is June until October.
You can best see Mount Kilimanjaro from the Ngorongoro Crater in October.
Visit Ngorongoro from January to March to see newborn animals and interesting predator / prey interaction. While you will see flamingos on the lake from April to May.
June and July to witness wildflowers bloom on the Crater floor
The migratory birds usually visit in March and April, and from September until October.

March to May and in November is another very special time to visit. This is when you will have the Crater almost all to yourself; as it is low season, and therefore less crowded.

How to Get to Ngorongoro Crater Lodge

Several airlines operate scheduled flights from Arusha to Lake Manyara Airstrip. The lodge will then collect guests from the airstrip and bring them to the lodge. The drive to the lodge takes approximately 1½ hours.

Ngorongoro Crater Lodge Accommodation Rates

Don’t forget Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is closed for a major refurbishment from 16th January 2025 to 15th January 2027. We will publish 2027 rates as soon as we have them. We have left 2024 rates here to give you an idea.

Rates Include

Accommodation
Three meals daily
Soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits and beers, teas and coffees
Refreshments on game drives
Laundry
Swarovski Optik binoculars for use during stay
Emergency medical evacuation insurance
WILDchild program
Game drives on the Crater floor
Walks within the lodge grounds

Rates Exclude

Champagne, cognacs, fine wines, premium brand spirits, cigars
Park fees (and government charges), Crater and concession fees
Healing Earth Wellness treatments
Weddings and blessings
Tourism Development Levy per person per night
Transfers to Ngorongoro Crater Lodge and onward
Crater floor banquets
Day trips to Olduvai Gorge and Shifting Sands
A choice of three walking safaris, ranging from a few hours to full day experiences
Option of champagne tasting, a pairing dinner, or a private dinner in the Wine Store
Hadzabe Bushmen experience
KopeLion conservation experience
Telephone calls and gratuities
Personal items such as shop purchases

Single Supplement

From 1st May until 31st October and 21st December to 10th January every year:
A single supplement of 50% applies to all single rooms.

From 11th January until 30th April and 1st November to 20th December every year:
A 50% single supplement is only charged from the third single room per booking.

A single supplement will be charged when an adult is sharing with an infant.

Accommodation Special Offers at andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge

Also have a look at our Fly Me Around East Africa package or Drive Me Around Tanzania Offer. Both of which includes this camp. While Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is closed for 2025 & 2026, andBeyond have included partner properties for these itineraries.

Long Stay Rates

Stay more than 3 nights at any &Beyond lodges in Africa, for the same guests on a single itinerary and get discounts. Subject to the seasonal availability of the offer.

Honeymoon Safari offer

One partner pays the full rate and the other pays 50% of the accommodation rate for the whole stay. The honeymoon offer is valid for stays of 2 or more nights, throughout the year.
Honeymooners can travel within 6 months of the date of marriage.

Crater Blessing Or Wedding

We can also arrange weddings, blessings / renewal of vows, and engagements at the lodge. However, a legal wedding does get extremely costly and takes quite a while to arrange. We suggest doing the legalities at home for ease. All are blessed with the powerful chant of the Maasai and the most incredible view of the Crater below.

Please note Kosher is not available. Halaal and other special dietary requests are available if requested well in advance.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area Accommodation ↓

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