Alright, honey, let's talk about a Ngorongoro Crater safari in Tanzania and why you should already be sipping bubbly on a plane headed there! The Ngorongoro Crater is almost like the Serengeti in a fishbowl, with surreal views painted in ethereal pastel colours. And the lodges! Imagine cosy nests hanging right on the lip of a gigantic cauldron. These lodges aren't just accommodation. Instead, they're like plush tree houses overlooking a bustling jungle. Get your binoculars ready because you'll be living the high life – quite literally! Here's why you'll love the Ngorongoro Crater.
Journey To A Lost World
Africa's "Garden of Eden", Image Credit: Stuart Westmore
The Ngorongoro Crater is a cauldron-like hollow, which is fitting since it has some serious safari magic going for it.
It was formed when a volcano had a bit of a diva moment, blowing its top and collapsing in on itself. The result? The world's largest unbroken caldera, from which a fertile and varied ecosystem sprung that supports all sorts of iconic wildlife.
Wicked Wild Wonderland
Think pink!
From steamy swamps to shifting sands, sweeping savannahs and fairytale forests, the crater's landscapes are an eclectic mix supporting all kinds of amazing wildlife! The swamps are a favoured haunt of the rare black rhino as well as lions, hyenas and servals waiting in the wings to ambush their prey who come for a drink.
The montane and fever tree forests you'll find flush with leopards and some of the last great tuskers left in Africa. The grassy plains are packed with a myriad of species, making it look almost like a packet of Licorice Allsorts with all kinds of stripes, dots, and colours abound, with zebras, wildebeest, cheetahs, and pink – yes, pink – flamingos!
That's not even including the crescent-shaped dunes, made from magnetised dark volcanic ash, that will immediately clump back together if you throw it over your head like confetti.
Follow In The Footprints Of The First Men
Follow in the literal footsteps of one of mankind's earliest ancestors, Image Credit: Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp
For all you ancient history nerds out there, the crater is a journey through the evolution of man. You can start by following in the 3.6 million-year-old footsteps – and no, that's not a typo – of one of our earliest ancestors at Laetoli.
The Olduvai Gorge is the site of the discovery of the "Nutcracker Man", a previously undiscovered early ancestor of humans, as well as the ruins of a Stone Age village known as Engaruka.
Savour The Flavour of Africa
Dreamy dinner loading... Image Credit: Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
Dinner on the rim of the crater, anyone? The lodges in the area offer some unique dining experiences, from sundowners on the rim to bush breakfasts and dinners on the crater's floor.
Guided walks, horseback riding, a tour of a coffee plantation, and even celebratory bubbly tastings are just a few of the fun things you can enjoy at some of the lodges in the area.
Volcano Views To Soothe Your Blues
What a wonderful world, Image Credit: Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
So now that we've established why you should be on the next plane to Tanzania, the other question is where you're going to stay. Well, with lodges, as in real estate, it's all about location, location, location!
These lodges are perched on the rim of the crater, giving you stunning vistas of what was once a volcano. Plus, you get exclusive access so you can be one of the first to make the descent into the crater on those early-morning and late-afternoon game drives.
Some of our favourite places to stay include:
- Ngorongoro Serena Lodge
- Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
- Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge (Temporarily closed for refurbishments)
Relax and reboot, Image Credit: Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp
If you're in search of a more cosy and intimate vibe at your accommodation, here are our top lodges and guesthouses in the surrounding area:
- Ngorongoro Farm House
- Lemala Ngorongoro Tented Camp
- The Manor at Ngorongoro
- Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp
- Kitela Lodge
Tantalising Tanzania
Sunsets in Africa just hit different
What did we just say? Oh, yes. Location is everything! And the Ngorongoro Crater is located in Tanzania, which is Kenya’s bigger – and in this case, maybe bigger is better – neighbour. The crater's location means it combines amazingly well with the Serengeti, where the Great Wildebeest Migration passes through, the Tarangire National Park and Lake Manyara, and many more delightful attractions.
Not to mention that only a third of tourists who visit Tanzania visit the crater, so you would be one of the few to have this magical experience under your belt! Shhh, let's keep it our little secret.
See You Later at The Crater!
Make like a cheetah and race for the airport
Ready to see us later at the Ngorongoro Crater? Well, then don't wait a while! Instead, contact our fabulous Travel Experts today to start planning your gay-friendly Ngorongoro Crater safari.
