Tanzania : Ngorongoro Conservation Area

The drive from Arusha, from the floor of the Great Rift Valley, climbs up through colourful market towns, through cultivated rolling hills with coffee and tea plantations, forests and streams. Then high up into the cooler tropical forest and to the top and the rim of the spectacular 20km wide Ngorongoro Crater, 700m above the crater floor. It is truly a majestic site, a phenomenal natural amphitheatre enclosing some 250 km of plains and lakes and an estimated 30,000 animals. It is definitely worth visiting when in the area and it is extremely popular but an excellent opportunity for close up photography. The heart of the Conservation area is inhabited by over 12,000 Masai pastoralists with their cattle who co-exist with the wildlife in a unique venture of sharing the land.

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Quick links:

Ngorongoro Crater Lodge

Ngorongoro Serena Lodge

Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge

Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
Perched on the rim of the ancient Ngorongoro Crater, the lodge has panoramic views of one of the great wonders of the world. The cottages are built on the Masai design of wood and thatch rondavels. But inside the decoration is extravagant and sumptuous; the home perhaps of an eccentric travelling colonial. A huge bed sits under a domed thatched ceiling with furniture of dark wood and rich fabrics to set the tone. A personal butler will come to stoke the fire and draw your bath in the opulent en suite bathroom. There are 30 cottages arranged into 3 villages and all have balconies looking out over the crater.

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bedroom	bathroom	treehouse

rooms	view over the crater	view to the crater

Ngorongoro Serena Lodge
The Ngorongoro Serena Lodge is designed discretely in the landscape, built into the rim of the dormant volcano. The plant and ivy covered native stone blends masterfully with its surroundings so that the lodge is not visible from the crater floor during game drives. Most of the seventy five guest rooms which all face east to welcome the sunrise each day over the crater, have private terraces with spectacular views of the crater floor where countless animals make their home and uninterrupted views of the 102 square mile crater floor that is now a rich wildlife habitat.

Due to the prevailing cool climate in the region, the lounge and dining room are set indoors overlooking the Ngorongoro Crater through large picture glass panels.

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view from the dining area	bedroom	exterior view

Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge
The Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge is the only lodge based on the very edge of the eastern crater rim, commanding stunning views. There is an outdoor swimming pool and each room has a mini bar and a view of the crater. The lodge was designed to blend in with the local surrounding by ingenious use of the indigenous plants and trees.

It's a big hotel with 92 rooms but the lounge and viewing decks have great views down into the crater and it is on its own away from the other hotels on the crater rim. All other lodges have to use a hair raising road to gain access to the crater base whilst Sopa has their own road which is far less harrowing. The staff and especially the manager are very friendly and you will be assured of a good value for money stay.

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bedroom	dining room	main building