Ngorongoro Crater is often called the ‘eighth wonder of the world”, making it an irresistibly breathtaking highlight of any Tanzania safari. Our top 10 hotels and lodges provide luxury lodges on their rim as well as more intimate, cozy hideaways in surrounding landscapes for you to stay.

1. Ngorongoro Crater Lodge

Perched high above Ngorongoro Crater, this ultra-luxe property must be seen to be believed. Think sumptuous sofas, antique artifacts, and luxurious four-poster beds.

Wooden decks stretch toward the crater, and each suite is tastefully appointed in an eclectic blend of Zanzibari and 19th-century colonial styles. The lodge is divided into three intimate camps – North Camp contains 12 suites; South Camp features 12, and Tree Camp boasts six; each operates independently with all-inclusive rates offering meals, drinks, Wi-Fi access, and game drives available across all three camps; also child-friendly suites are offered at each lodge.

2. Ngorongoro Serena Lodge

Ngorongoro Serena Lodge is an expansive hotel-like lodge that sits atop the western rim of Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. Offering breathtaking views into this extinct volcano from each room and communal space, this lavish retreat provides sumptuous luxury while offering exclusive butler service.

Staying at this incredible lodge is like going back in time. Intended to resemble prehistoric sites, the 75 suites built into rocks on the crater rim offer spectacular views of the volcanic caldera below. Flickering fires create an immersive dining experience in a rock dining room, while cave paintings add extra touches of magic.

3. The Highlands Lodge

The Highlands Lodge offers an exclusive luxury experience. Boasting eight domed canvas and glass suites inspired by traditional Maasai bomas dotted across its surroundings, The Highlands is designed for comfort as well as culture.

Visitors here can follow ancient cattle trails to Olmoti and Empakaai craters or trek into the forest to spot flocks of pink flamingos in their natural environment. Additionally, guests can immerse themselves in Maasai culture through village visits as well as learn more about Tanzania’s most active volcano – Oldoinyo Lengai.

Plantation Lodge features delightful cottages among gorgeous gardens, while Gibbs Farm is an exquisite 10-acre working farm that can also offer to lodge.

4. Ngorongoro Serena Camp

Ngorongoro Serena Camp is a luxurious lodge offering breathtaking views of the Crater floor from each room’s private balcony. Activities offered here include game drives into the Crater as well as cultural dances and singing performances.

This exquisite lodge is located at the rim of Ngorongoro Crater and draws its design inspiration from Olduvai Gorge cave paintings, making it an excellent option for families and those preferring alternative accommodation options such as hotels to more traditional safari camps.

5. Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge

The 92 suites at this lodge were constructed using traditional African techniques with conservation in mind and feature queen-size beds with solariums – perfect for families! In fact, its easy atmosphere makes this destination particularly appealing.

Staying at this lodge ensures you will be first in line for your morning game drive – making this an exclusive and special option that’s sure to appeal to lovers and romantic couples. What’s more, its affordable rates compare favorably with other luxury Ngorongoro accommodations.

6. Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge

Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge is one of Africa’s finest hotels if you want to experience one of nature’s greatest spectacles from your room. Offering luxurious accommodations and breathtaking scenery, this lodge provides guests with unforgettable moments and breathtaking scenery.

Ngorongoro Crater offers guests a classic camping experience on its rim, complete with stunning views and comfortable rooms. Game drives, Olduvai Gorge visits, and other excursions can be taken advantage of during their stay here, making this an excellent option for families, though more costly than other options.

7. Neptune Ngorongoro Luxury Lodge

Formerly known as Explorers Ngorongoro Lodge, Neptune acquired this lodge in May 2015. Offering 20 cottages just steps away from the entrance gate to Ngorongoro Conservation Area and providing spacious yet stylish accommodation with attention to every detail.

Rooms boast fireplaces and minibars, plus king-sized beds. Bathrooms provide showers, bathrobes, and slippers. Housekeeping service is offered daily, while there is nightly turndown service as well. Guests can also take advantage of a bar/lounge with drinks for sale; an airport shuttle can be arranged upon request at an additional fee, and parking spaces can be found free on-site.

8. Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge

Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge is one of the finest lodges on the crater rim. Boasting spacious, magnificent rooms offering uninterrupted vistas of the crater below, its rooms feature elegant Victorian furnishings and teak panelling to complete their elegant appearance.

At the center of this hotel is an ever-glowing fireplace, creating an ethereal feeling. Thirty luxurious suites designed in Maasai homestead style provide ample accommodation. Experience spectacular sunsets, Maasai warrior dance performances, and personalized service in this royal lodge, as well as historical and cultural tours to the nearby Olduvai Gorge (an important paleolithic site).

9. Ngorongoro Serena Camp

With limited options on the crater rim, this solution offers functional and cost-effective accommodations. While not the most luxurious hotel, this lodge makes an excellent base of operations to spend your stay.

Ngorongoro Serena Camp’s native stone and ivy-covered walls blend in seamlessly with the volcanic terrain surrounding it, offering rooms with spectacular panoramic views of the volcano’s amphitheatre below.

This luxurious lodge offers 20 spacious log cabins with large personal terraces and breathtaking vistas of the conservation area. Each room features Victorian furnishings mixed with teak panelling for maximum comfort – making this an ideal destination for couples or families.

10. Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge

At this luxurious lodge, all 97 rooms offer all the amenities one could hope for – relax by the poolside or book yourself in for a treatment at Earth & Rain Spa.

This lodge was created with an appreciation of the mysterious Ngorongoro Crater as its backdrop, featuring panelled walls, roaring fires, and liveried staff to create an unrivalled sense of luxury and decadence.

Luxury safari vacationers looking for a memorable stay should visit Tanzania and stay at this premier property of &Beyond, one that promises an exceptional northern safari itinerary experience.

Read “How Much Do Hotels In Ngorongoro Cost?“