The Highlands is Asilia's newest project, and a very exciting one at that. The Ngorongoro area has been sorely lacking lacking any camps operated for true safari enthusiasts, and this fills the gap. The fascinatingly unique design blends well with the surrounding environment and creates a feeling of real luxury.
The Highlands Asilia - A guide
There really is nothing quite as unique as The Highlands. This brand new lodge is located on the edge of the mountain forest which hugs the Olmoti Volcano, just north of the
Ngorongoro Crater itself. The contemporary, luxurious design is balanced well with Asilia's more traditional approach to safari camps. This balance does mean that The Highlands will appeal to both luxury honeymooners and safari die-hards.
Whilst you can easily use The Highlands as a base to explore the Ngorongoro Crater, this is just a small part of its appeal. Asilia deliberately based the camp away from the hustle and bustle of the main Crater rim, meaning that you have almost exclusive access to the wilds of the Olmoti Volcano. Here you can follow ancient Maasai trails to the summit of the Olmoti Crater and visit local communities to learn about their culture and relationship with nature.
Due to the variety of activities that The Highlands can offer, spending three nights here is warranted. With a plethora of hiking opportunities, one full day in the Crater and visits to the local Maasai tribes, your time here will certianly not be wasted.
Why we love Asilia Highlands, Tanzania
The design of Asilia's The Highlands 'pods' themselves is revolutionary; the centralised bed looks straight into a huge panoramic, with the triangulated window design offering spectacular views and making the room wonderfully light during the days. The interior is very chic and simple, clean cut lines and wood floors. A large partition separates the bedroom from the modern bathroom.
Whilst being a real newcomer, everything points towards The Highlands as being the next big thing, and on our recent visits, we think it is living up to the hype. It offers a really diverse Ngorongoro experience which is not solely focussed on the crater game drives, but also on the local villages whom they have a fantastic relationship with, and the mesmerising surrounding scenery. If you can cope with the bumpy road to get there, it is a very special place to forget your worries at for up to around 4 nights.
As with every Asilia property, the levels of service, hospitality and guiding are of the highest levels and you really feel like one of the family as soon as you arrive. The more you immserse yourself, the richer your experience will be.
After a few nights at The Highlands, flying into the Serengeti is a must. Depending on what time of year you are travelling will normally determine where in the Serengeti you will head to and combining The Highlands with another Asilia property makes for the perfect Northern Itinerary. Asilia own a number of different camps in the National Park, from Kimondo and Ubuntu who follow the herds from the Ndutu Plains through to the
Lamai Wedge or the permanent camps like Sayari in Kogatende, Dunia in Seronera and Namiri in the East.
One of the biggest choices to make when heading on safari in the Serengeti is choosing what type of camp would suit you best. There are some big differences between permanent lodges comapred to your mobile camps. The permanent lodges don't move throughout the year and have more facilities such as swimming/plunge pools. This makes them perfect for families with children who enjoy spending the middle of the day splashing around in the cool water, yet they do come at a much higher price.
On the other hand, mobile camps are what encapsulates the Serengeti. Permanent lodges can be found all over Africa, but a camp that moves with the wildebeest migration is only found in Tanzania, and we love them! Apart from being great value for money, their movements ensure you are in the best possible position to view the migration throughout the year. Mobile camps allow you to really immerse yourself in nature and give you that authentic 'Out of Africa' feel which is what draws so many visitors to East Africa.
If you are unsure about what camps are best for you, please contact one of our Tanzania experts who would love to talk to you about the different options on offer and what deals you could take advantage of.
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