Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
The Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is located in Tanzania on the edge of the world famous “World Heritage Site” of the Ngorongoro Crater. Surrounding the lodge, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area spans 8,300 square kilometres, stretching from the Rift Valley to the Serengeti. The design follows the Maasai mud-and-stick manyatta (homestead) style. The Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is without doubt one of the most architecturally spectacular safari lodges in Africa.
Accommodation and Meals
Get close to nature at Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater Lodge. Each of the three camps at the Lodge operates independently, with its own viewing deck overlooking the crater. The Tree Camp is more secluded, with only six suites instead of 12, and its Masai mud-and-stick lodge is intimate and romantic. From its deck, you feel as if you can see all of Tanzania. The colonial-style interiors combine silver, gold and ruby colours under banana-leaf ceilings and grass roofs. Antiques, plump cushions, voluptuous raw silk curtains and tall, leather-backed chairs complete the picture. This design blends with African art elements in unexpected harmony. They each have a central living area and viewing decks overlooking the awesome Ngorongoro Crater. Ancient African nights are evoked by the large fire bowls that flank the entrance to each of the living and dining areas.
Ngorongoro Crater Lodge Facilities
The Ngorongoro Crater Lodge can provide some of the best game viewing drives into the crater and Ngorongoro Conservation Area that East Africa can offer. Bush walks around the lodge are also available, as well as excursions to Olduvai Gorge. For those that want to take some “time out” from the rigours of a game drive you are invited to use the Library and indoor board games. Other facilities include a central dining area/lounge, a craft and curio shop and a kart for ferrying luggage/guests to the camps.
Ngorongoro Crater Lodge Game Drives
The game drives start at the Ngorongoro Crater Lodge and it will take you about 20 minutes to get in to the Crater, You can do an early morning game drive in an open to 4×4, and try and see an early morning kill and see the hippos meandering in to the hippo pool. You have the opportunity to pre-order your breakfast the day before so you can take it in to the crater, or you can come back to the lodge for breakfast. You can also participate in an afternoon game drive to see the lions basking in the sun.
Ngorongoro Crater Lodge Distances
The Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is located about 4.5 hours drive from Arusha. Most of this drive is on a tarmac road, so is smooth and comfortable. Tarangire National Park is about 2.5 hours drive from Arusha and is about half way between the two. Also on the way to the Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is Lake Manyara. Both Lake Mayara and Tarangire make good stopping poinst to break up the journey. Past the Crater is the Serengeti National Park, which is about another 2.5 hours from the crater.