&Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge

A rococo vision

&Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is a legendary lodge perched on the rim of the Ngorongoro crater in the south-east of the Serengeti. The conservation area was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 for its exceptional concentration of wildlife and its history as the cradle of mankind. The lodge and its 30 stilted suites are literally mesmerising. The lodge comprises 3 adjoining lodges with a total of 30 suites, featuring exterior architecture inspired by local manyattas and glamorous interior decoration offering plunging views of the crater through large bay windows. The north and south lodges offer 12 suites each, while the more intimate Tree Camp has only 6. Each lodge is managed independently with its own central mess area and large observation deck. The colonial interior style is a combination of rococo (gold, crystal, Persian rugs, ruby fabrics) and ethnic (carved wood, palm fronds, African artefacts), adding to the magic of the place. The crater spans over 8,000 km² with a wildlife density that is unique in the world, close to 25,000 animals, and a fascinating prehistoric site, the Olduvai Gorge. The &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge has been closed since 15 January 2025 for a complete reconstruction and its reopening is scheduled for January 2027.

STYLE

A blend of neoclassical and African art, for a very romantic atmosphere

SITUATION

On the eastern flank of the Ngorongoro crater, with plunging views over the caldera

CAPACITY

30 suites, all facing the crater, spread across 2 independent lodges

HIGHLIGHTS

The atmosphere of the Crater Lodge is unique and spectacular, it is a baroque work by the duo Silvio Reich and Lesley Carstens

THE EXPERIENCES

  • Massage in your suite (extra charge)
  • 4x4 safari day in the Ngorongoro Crater
  • Walking and hiking tour along the crater rim (supplement)
  • Excursion to Olduvai Gorge, hike in Empakai Crater (extra charge)
  • Discovery of Maasai culture (supplement)

THE EXTRAORDINARY

The Crater Lodge is a "folie douce" imagined on the rim of the crater... It is a timeless place of extraordinary extravagance from which one never tires of admiring the largest unbroken caldera in the world (610 m deep and 260 km² in area), which exploded nearly 3 million years ago. This fabulous site was once the refuge of Homo habilis and is home to over 25,000 animals.

ETHICS

&Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, by adhering to the principles of the &Beyond Group (care of the land, care of the wildlife, care of the people), contributes to the development of the Maasai communities (42,000 people) by supporting electrification, educational resources, environmental and craft training, and employment.