Nomad Tanzania - Entamanu, Ngorongoro — Hotel in Arusha

Very short but nice stay for Christmas. We had a 12hr travel day from Rwanda here so we did not arrive until night time. The food was delicious but our stomachs not so much. Mohammed and his staff were very welcoming and fun to meet. WiFi is only in the rooms not the common areas. The lodge seemed full and everyone socializes in the main areas and bar. Dinner is your own table amongst other areas but they make each group feel special. For Christmas they gave us beautiful gifts to open at our table. We loved all the keepsakes we got even the cracker poppers which were a bonus. They made a traditional Christmas meal and gave us champagne and made it very special. ||The rooms were well appointed but a bit dark. My daughter wished there was netting on the bed because there were some spiders. Our fire place had some issues but it was great when it worked. Plus the hot water bottle they place in the bed is the best. We didn’t get to enjoy the view much because we spent so much time in the crater. Our last morning we saw a beautiful sunrise from the lodge. ||We loved our guide Roger. He was excellent. It seems the guides are regulars here and there is a family vibe. Also note this is the farthest lodge within the crater. It’s a two and half hour drive from the local airport. The pros are that you will be one of the first i the crater because it is close and we got our best experiences with the animals early in the morning. The cons are that it is a long travel time on your entry and departure days. ||I want to make note of one additional thing: We asked for a Maasai tour but were not made aware that we would need to walk a mile through mud and cattle to get there with a steep hill coming back. While i understand it adds to the experience, my mother is 76 it was way too challenging for her and had this been explained to us beforehand we wouldn’t have taken her. After speaking to others at other locations their massai tour was very different where they drone right up. Also the Maasai guide made a comment and gesture to my 16 yr old daughter that made her very uncomfortable. It is unclear if it was inappropriate or lost in translation but it tarnished our experience. We also felt a bit ripped off because we pushed items from their market for 80x more $ we could have spent for the same item in the shopping center by the airport. Since we did this through the hotel i think they need to look into this for...

We started our 8 night safari with Nomad's Entamanu camp – followed by Lemala Kuria Hills and Asilia Namiri Plains.

Wanted to write a review as there's such limited reviews and to provide folks with a variety of thought. We came into Entamanu with decent expectations; especially given the price tag ($7k+ per night for a family of 4). Below is a quick review:

Pros: Rooms and common are gorgeous. Newly renovated. Very spacious, well appointed, and very comfortable. The "hard" product of Enthamanu is where it excels. The renovation and interior design is top notch. Location is unbeatable on the crater rim. Closest location to the crater entrance which allows you to be among the first to enter. Staff truly tries hard to make your experience solid (more on this in the cons)

Cons: The entire operation feels chaotic and confused. At a $7.2k+ price tag (per night for family of 4), you expect the experience, staff, etc to be a well oiled machine. However, the entire 2+ days was so awkward and clunky. At first, we thought it was us for having high expectations as we travel and stay at Aman, FS, One&Only, etc properties. However, we visited Lemala ($4.4k per night) and Asilia ($8k pernight) afterwards (have Singita coming up). Both properties blew Entamanu out of the water. Moree on this below. Very clunky and disorganized welcome when checking in – not the case at Lemala (cheaper property) or Asilia (higher end). Very clunky and no organized welcome after coming back from safari (i.e. wet towels, etc). Food was brutal. To the credit of the staff, they were SO helpful and tried hard to cook dishes. Kudos to Goodluck (manager) and Thomas (cook). However, the execution, taste, plating, etc just was so lackluster and dissapointing. They have a fireplace in the room which doesn't always work. In the middle of the night, the fireplace wouldn't turn down or off so it was excruciatingly hot in the room.

I could go on, but will stop there. I wouldn't give this sort of review for a $3k per night, $2k per night, or even $1k per night safari property. The economics just aren't there at the price point. However, Nomad is charging $1800+ per person per night at peak season when we went and the experience was brutally disappointing. Can't recommend this property at the...

A Truly Unforgettable Stay at Entamanu Camp

Our stay at Entamanu Camp was nothing short of magical. Perched on the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater, the camp feels like it’s part of the landscape, offering breathtaking views and a real sense of connection to the wild. From the moment we arrived, we felt welcomed and completely taken care of by the entire team.

Jonathan, the manager, deserves a special mention. His attention to detail was incredible—he seemed to anticipate our needs before we even voiced them. It’s clear he genuinely cares about every guest’s experience. Freddy, who handled all our laundry, took it upon himself to make sure everything was perfect, even rescuing one of my favorite shirts. And Dafay—always smiling and radiating warmth—made us feel at home every single day, checking in on us and ensuring we were comfortable and happy.

The entire team came together to celebrate my birthday, making it such a special occasion. They went above and beyond, creating a personal and heartwarming experience that I’ll never forget.

The rooms at Entamanu are cozy and thoughtfully designed, perfect for Ngorongoro’s cool nights. Waking up to the mist rolling over the crater and ending the day around the fire, sharing stories with other guests, made the experience so special. The meals were delicious and fresh, and we loved that the camp emphasizes sustainability and supporting the local community.

We’ve traveled quite a bit, but there’s something genuinely unique about Entamanu. It’s not just a place to stay; it’s a place to experience. The combination of incredible wildlife, stunning landscapes, and the warmth of the people made this a journey we won’t forget. If you’re looking for an experience that balances adventure with comfort and a personal touch, this is it.

This version highlights your birthday celebration and captures a warm, personal touch. Let me know if there’s anything more you’d...