Accommodations

One-of-a-kind safari lodge: Inspired in design by the Maasai mud-and-stick manyatta (homestead), three intimate camps comprise romantic suites perched on the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater – a World Heritage site.

• North and South Camp (12 suites)
  
• Intimate Tree Camp (six suites)
  
• Each with spectacular Crater views
  
• Private viewing decks
  
• Exclusive butler service
  
• Spacious en suite bathrooms
  
• Extraordinary guest areas
  
• African gift shop and art gallery

Steeped in romance, each mud and thatch suite is reminiscent of a bygone era, with the stilted, handcrafted structures adorned in graceful antiques, grand chandeliers and African treasures. The bedroom, sitting room and en suite bathroom boast floor-to-ceiling glass windows, overlooking the magnificent Crater below. Your personal butler will discreetly tend to your every need, bringing you tea in bed, stoking your fireplace and drawing your bath.

Described as Maasai meets Versailles, each extraordinary camp operates independently with its own central living and dining areas and viewing decks. Early settler-style interiors combine silver, gold and ruby colours under banana-leaf ceilings and grass roofs. Beaded chandeliers hang above large gilt mirrors, and antiques, plump cushions, voluptuous raw silk curtains and leather-backed chairs blend harmoniously with African art elements.

The domed dining room, with its fireplace, crystal, silver and massive wooden platters, makes every meal a special occasion. Delicious Pan-African cuisine may also be enjoyed on the outdoor dining deck.

Activities

Game Viewing

Big Five African wilderness: Ngorongoro Crater Lodge lies within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area at the eastern edge of the Serengeti. There are four distinct habitats which are home to 25,000 animals – boasting excellent year-round game viewing.

• Big Five, including black-maned lion
  
• Tanzania's best locality for viewing black rhino
  
• Resident bull elephants with spectacular tusks
  
• Abundance of lion prides and spotted hyena clans
  
• Thousands of lesser and greater flamingo in the soda lake
  
• Excellent montane forest birdwatching on Crater rim
  
• Excursions to annual breeding grounds of over one million wildebeest (January to February)
  
• Excursions to famous Olduvai Gorge (world-famous hominid fossil site)

Ngorongoro Crater Habitats

The Crater floor's open grassland habitat supports resident herds of grazing herbivores and their attendant predators. Pillarwood, nuxia, mountain bersama, hagenia and ficus trees, all draped with lichens and epiphytic orchids, dominate cloud forest on the Crater rim. Lerai fever tree forest is home to elephant and nesting raptors. The soda-rich Lake Magadi on the Crater floor attracts flamingos and other wading birds, while ducks and other waterfowl favour freshwater ponds. West of the Crater, the 'short grass plains' are the traditional calving grounds (January - February) of the Serengeti's huge wildebeest herds.

Mammals at Ngorongoro Crater

A population of around 15 endangered black rhino exists on the Crater floor. Powerful spotted hyena clans regularly clash with lion prides. Huge-tusked elephant bulls occupy the Lerai forest. Golden and black-backed jackal compete with six species of vultures at carrion sites. Buffalo herds number up to 300. Resident wildebeest and zebra do not join the migratory herds of the adjacent Serengeti. Grant's and Thomson's gazelles are the prey of nomadic cheetah. Buffalo, bushpig, blue monkey and Peters' duiker occupy the forest on the Crater rim. Kirk's dik-dik are abundant at nearby Olduvai Gorge, where rare striped hyena have been recorded. Abundant hippos reside in various hippo pools.

Birds at Ngorogoro Crater

There are 371 species recorded at Ngorongoro. Ostrich, kori bustard and grey crowned crane are regularly encountered in the grassland on the Crater floor where superb starling, rufous-tailed weaver and rosy-breasted longclaw are abundant. Five sunbird species (malachite, tacazze, bronze, eastern double-collared and golden-winged) visit flowering shrubs on the Crater rim and around the Lodge. Cinnamon-chested bee-eater, white-eyed slaty flycatcher, hunter's cisticola and Montane nightjar are common around the Lodge. Augur buzzard, forest buzzard, long-crested eagle and Egyptian vulture are among resident birds of prey.

Other African Wildlife

High-casqued chameleon can be seen at the forest edge close to the Lodge. Large gatherings of reed and grass frogs occur in freshwater pools after rain on the Crater floor. Attractive epiphytic orchids cloak large trees on the Crater rim.

Local Area

The crater is ringed with steep walls and shelters forests, grasslands, fresh springs and a large soda lake at its centre.

The Ngorongoro volcano before it exploded and collapsed 2 million years ago, was one of the world’s tallest mountains. The crater measures about 19 kilometres (12 miles) across and the rim is 600 metres (2,000 feet) above the crater floor.

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is inhabited by 30 000 animals, all protected within the confines of the crater walls. Resident zebra, wildebeest, Grants and Thomson’s gazelle are a predator's dream. Tanzania’s few remaining black rhino are protected and regularly sighted in the crater, as are large herds of buffalo. Huge tusked elephants, black-maned lions, cheetah and spotted hyena are also found, as well as thousands of lesser and greater flamingoes in the soda lake.

The Maasai people live within the conservation area around the crater. Known as nomadic herders and warriors, a visit to these traditional, temporary villages “enkangs” is a highlight for all visitors to the area. Get a glimpse of their fascinating culture: see them in their bright red robes, watch as they create ornate beadwork and how they live off the land by utilising cattle. The nomadic Maasai have grazing rights of the Ngorongoro Crater and treat cattle as a sign of wealth.

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Pricing and Special Offers

	7 nights from $8,300per person Included: Spend 7 nights/8 days on safari in Tanzania including two nights at Ngorongoro Crater Lodge for $8,300.00 per person Day 1 & 2 at Tarangire Treetops, Tarnagire National Park, Tanzania Day 3 & 4 at Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, Ngorongoro Crater Conservationa, Area, Tanzania Day 5, 6 & 7 at Sabora Tented Camp, Serengeti National Park Day 8 Depart Restrictions: Package subject to availability from our suppliers. While we strive to maintain the most up-to-date pricing possible, pricing from our suppliers may change at any time, thus our prices may change without notice. Note that prices are NOT guaranteed until travel is paid for in full. Please also note that there are price differences between high and low season for most resorts and cruises. Offer valid for travel between April 23, 2008 and December 23, 2008

Please note:  we can create a vacation for you with virtually any number of nights, with or without airfare, and any room category.

What's shown above is just a sample of pricing and packaging available from some of our suppliers. Prices often vary between high and low season, and for different categories of accommodations.

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