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Don't go without the 2nd Edition Cadogan Guide to Tanzania and Zanzibar - writen by Annie - one of our consultants |
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Ngorongoro Conservation Area, The Crater and Where to Stay
Ngorongoro is a fascinating and unusual Conservation Area which includes the Ngorongoro Crater at its centre, and then extends through the Crater Highlands, in which local tribes are permitted to maintain their traditional lifestyles in as natural environment as possible.
This extraordinary volcanic landscape is rich and fertile, with stunning craters and lakes, and the high altitude creates a malaria-free micro climate.
The crater is said to have the most dense concentration of wildlife in Africa. As such, Ngorongoro Crater has achieved world renown, and attracts a growing number of visitors each year. Even if time is limited this natural but accessibly small caldera ensures a rewarding safari.
 Click here for Ngorongoro Lodge Reviews
The Ngorongoro CraterThe Ngorongoro Crater is the world's largest intact caldera in an exceptional geographical position, forming a spectacular bowl of about 265 sq km with sides up to 600m deep. It is the stalking ground of 20 - 30,000 wild animals at any one time.
To have a look at the Crater, click to view our Ngorongoro Crater video.
The crater floor consists of a number of ecological environments that include grassland, swamps, forests and Lake Makat, a central soda lake filled by the Munge river. All these various habitats attract various wildlife to drink, wallow, graze, hide or climb.
Although animals are free to move in and out of this contained environment, the rich volcanic soil, lush forests and spring source lakes on the crater floor tend to incline both grazers and predators to remain throughout the year.
Ngorongoro Crater: Wildlife HighlightsNgorongoro Crater is also presently one of the most likely areas in Tanzania to see the endangered Black Rhino, as a small population are thriving in this idyllic and protected environment one of the only areas where they continue to breed in the wild.
Ngorongoro Crater: ClimateThe Crater rim, over 2,200 metres high, touches swathes of clouds for most days of the year, with cool high altitude vapours that seem to bring a clean lightness to the air, and also a chill. These highlands wake up to a misty fog in most months, other than the high dry season during December and January.
Ngorongoro Crater Lodges We have included all the lodges below ordered by our ranking, and by price. Clicking on any of the links will bring up more information; our detailed view of the lodge, video, photos, key facts etc. However, we know these lodges well, and we would recommend a phone call or an email to help you to decide where to go.
Ranking
 - Outstanding
 - Very good
 - Good
 - Average
- Poor
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Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
Yes, it is expensive and yes, it is somewhat bizarre... but the service, food, rooms and views are genuinely fabulous. You are, after all, sitting on the edge of an extinct volcano looking down over an immense density of all of Africa's big game! The Crater Lodge gets our 5 paw rating, no question! |
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Ngorongoro Serena Lodge
The Ngorongoro Serena is a great lodge to use as a well-priced base for safaris in the Crater. The views are utterly breathtaking, and its location on the Crater rim earns it a good rating. However, for those of us who prefer to avoid the crowds and have an authentic safari, the Serena is not the best place to stay. |
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Lemala Ngorongoro
Lemala only gets a 3 paw rating as it is too new a camp to have earned 4 paws. There is no doubt it is the best tented camp in the area, certainly more atmospheric than the Serena and Sopa, and Lemala does offer a much cheaper and real alternative to Crater Lodge. We hope to review the camp within a year, and upgrade the rating! |
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Gibbs Farm
Gibbs Farm has a great setting and a famous reputation but the new rates for the best rooms are really quite pricey, leaving the standard rooms at a good price but in need of an upgrade.
Gibbs remains a good lodge, but one that has currently lost a bit of direction. We certainly prefer Plantation. |
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Plantation Lodge - Ngorongoro Highlands
Debate rages in our office as to the rating for this lodge. With only a handful of lodges around the crater, choices can be limited and Plantation Lodge offers superb value and atmosphere. The debate is whether to go for a reasonable hotel on the rim or a great hotel in the highlands. We tend towards the former, but Plantation remains the great hotel in the highlands. |
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Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge
The Ngorongoro Sopa actually has the best views of any of the Crater's lodges and also has the quietest access route to the Crater floor. It is an old lodge, fairly rough around the edges and it is too large for us to really get keen on. However, we cannot deny that this lodge is good value, and a great hotel for location and views alone. |
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The Manor
The Manor is an extremely luxurious hotel and you are constantly being looked after at the highest level…and you make the rules. The staff have a genuine passion for hospitality making your whole stay most relaxing, the vehicles are of top quality accompanied by tremendously enthusiastic and professional guides. Of course not being at the Crater Rim is an issue and since it is such a new hotel it can feel rather empty and bleak |
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