Why the title ? Because as soon as it got dark the buffalos came to our lodge eating the gras between the huts ! Askaris guarded us when returning to the room. What a feeling !
we spent 2 nights at the Ng.Crater Lodge, in room no. 11, located at the north-camp.
The ' villa ' was made out of 2 huts with palmleave/straw roofs. Outside looks like a native habitat and inside a touch of french interior.
The main hut was the bedroom with a sitting area which had a fireplace closed with a glasdoor.
At nighttime, when we had dinner, the service lit the wood and our 'home' became very cosy and warm. You think you don't need it there ? Pls. note that the crater rim has an altitude of about 2300m, it can get fresh at night ! the smaller hut was our bathroom with a free-standing tub and a large shower, the light came from a crystal lamp. One night housekeeping prepared our bath with lots of roses, in the tub, before and at the rim. Beautiful and romantic.
Meals could be ordered in the room or go to the main building. Lovely lounge, where there is free wifi ( the only place ) and dining room. The food was good.
Details to know: from the Manyara Airstrip to the Lodge is about a 1.5 - 2h drive, from the Lodge into the Crater is about 1h drive, change of altitude 620m.
the safari cars are only allowed to drive on the dirt roads means some animals you will see only from far ( like rhinos ) and the place is popular, there a times were it seem to have more cars then animals ( overstated but feels like it), the NP is open from 6am to 6pm. We had our last drive in the afternoon staying as long as possible because the sunlight stated to turn golden and it was such a difference to the full sun during the day.
- Hotel Ngorongoro Crater
- Ngorongoro Crater Hotel
