Lemala Ngorongoro Tented Camp — Hotel in Arusha

To visit the Ngorongora Crater is to transport back in time to the mythic/biblical Garden of Eden. It is the most beautiful safari experience I have had in my multiple trips to Africa. The crater is teaming with wildlife, lush with green and surrounded by the cliffs and mountain scenery. In a word, it is breathtaking. But if you want to make the experience truly perfect, there is no better place to stay than the Lemala Ngorongoro Tented Lodge. Located right on the edge of the crater, it offers the chance for guests to get ahead of the safari crowd as we were among the very first to descend into the crater every morning. And if that isn't enough of a draw, the camp itself is BEYOND memorable. The staff is top notch, and SO engaging and friendly. The dining was superb. It was the mission of everyone there to make this the most memorable experience and they did everything they could to assure that. Perhaps most memorable for me and my family was the unique proximity to the nearby Masai tribe and the interaction we were able to have. First, we met with Sironga, who taught us about his customs, his people and his incredible journey from his tribe to education and back home again. He was so knowledgable and personable. He answered every question and connected us with the people and the land. And then he arranged for a trip to the village that transcended my family's every expectation. We danced with his people. We visited their school. He helped take the trip of a lifetime and raise the bar even higher. We were so touched by what he showed us and what he taught us during our stay at Lemala tented camp, that I still keep in touch with him, checking in from time to time just to see how he and his people are doing. At night, you are treated to stars that cannot be described before heading off to bed in luxurious tents that somehow maintain a rustic feel and prepare you for the next day of this truly amazing place. I cannot recommend it more highly, the accommodations, the safari experience and especially the chance to connect with Sironga and his magnificent...

We stayed here for 2 nights on our Honeymoon in June 2024. We arrived quite late due to delays and a cultural visit but we did the walking safari when we arrived and it was amazing. We were taken for a walk around the crater and to a view point of massai boma which was incredible. We just missed the buffalo who walked through that morning but the walk was wonderful without seeing wildlife. The camp itself is in the PERFECT location - within 10 minutes you're on the crater floor so you miss all the traffic of people staying outside the crater rim. The camp is quite basic but you are paying for the location rather than a luxury tent at this lemala property, which we were absolutely fine with but other people possibly not so much. There was a few technical difficulties (from elephants drinking all the water and a burst pipe) so some things didn't run as smoothly like taking a shower (which is a talking shower) but the staff at lemala still made every effort to make our stay amazing. Sometimes you have to accept that when you're staying somewhere as rural as this you have to make some sacrifices. Its slight colder at the crater but the staff ensured you had hot water bottles and heaters so we were very well looked after. The food was wonderful, however the main tent is quite small and snug and with the sides down feels slightly claustrophobic. The best things about this camp are the staff, the food, the location and being so close to wildlife at the edge of amazing caldera. We had elephant visitors and leopard visitors at night!! The wildlife in the crater is so dense it's amazing - we saw 3 rhinos, elephants, lions, zebra and wildebeest however giraffe don't go into the crater. Thank you lemala ngorongoro we loved our stay and are already dreaming of coming back to your new camp next year!! Amelia...

This place was really nice! We were taken well care of and the staff was very attentive.|The food was nice.|We only stayed for a night where we arrived in the afternoon just before dark and left at 5.30 in the morning to explore the crater. ||The location and surroundings are gorgeous, nestled under these massive tree crowns. You’ll hear the wild animals at night, we even heard leopard!||The tent was in great condition, shower, sink, toilet, bed, everything was good.|I especially appreciated going to bed after dinner to find the bed being warmed up by hot water bottles. |There is also a gas stove if you get cold and this was also put on before bed. ||Do not bring food to the room/tent, I had an unopened chocolate bar on the desk which led to me being kept up by the most adorable dormouse. I wish the staff had told us prior, then I would have tossed it before going to the tent.||This was my birthday trip, and I was treated with a surprise birthday cake and the most fantastic staff parade singing and dancing a version of the iconic...