Ngorongoro Crater Lodges
From lodges on the crater rim to coffee-farm retreats in the Karatu highlands, these are the places we choose for guests visiting the Ngorongoro Crater.
Wake up to views across the caldera, close to the road down to the crater floor.
Coffee farms and gardens a short drive from the main gate, often at better rates.
Stay close and you can be on the crater floor soon after the gates open.
We match your lodge to your route, budget and travel style.
Where to stay near the Ngorongoro Crater
There are two main places to stay for a visit to the Ngorongoro Crater. Lodges on the crater rim sit inside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, high above the crater floor, with views straight into the caldera. Lodges in the Karatu highlands lie just outside the conservation area, among coffee farms and gardens, a short drive from the main gate.
Staying on the rim gives you the views and the shortest drive down in the morning, but conservation fees apply for every night inside the area. Karatu is greener, quieter and often better value, and makes an easy stop between Tarangire, Lake Manyara and the Serengeti.
Ngorongoro lodges and camps we recommend
These are the lodges and camps on our Ngorongoro safaris, from the crater rim to the Karatu highlands. Open any of them to see the rooms, photos and what makes it special.
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Ngorongoro Lodge Meliá Collection
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Neptune Ngorongoro Luxury Lodge
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Embalakai Ngorongoro Camp
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Ang’ata Ngorongoro Camp
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Gibb’s Farm
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Kitela Lodge
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Ngorongoro Haradali Home
How to choose your Ngorongoro lodge
The right lodge depends on your budget, your route and how you like to spend your evenings.
The crater rim for views
Choose the rim for sunsets over the caldera and the earliest possible start on the crater floor.
Karatu for space and value
Choose Karatu for gardens, farm walks and larger rooms, with a slightly longer drive to the crater.
Fit it to your route
Coming from Tarangire or heading on to the Serengeti, we place you where the driving works best.
What to do around the Ngorongoro Crater
Most guests spend one full day on the crater floor, with time for the highlands and Maasai culture around it.
Crater floor game drive
A morning or full day among lion, elephant, buffalo, hyena, zebra and wildebeest.
Black rhino
The crater is one of the best places in Tanzania to see the endangered black rhino.
Lake Magadi
A shallow soda lake on the crater floor, often lined with flamingos.
Olduvai Gorge
One of the world's most important early human sites, on the road to the Serengeti.
Maasai villages
Visit a Maasai boma in the conservation area to learn about life alongside the wildlife.
Coffee farms in Karatu
Walk through coffee plantations and gardens around the highland lodges.
What you'll see at Ngorongoro
Big game on the crater floor and green highlands above it.
Coffee farms, gardens and cool highland nights
Just outside the conservation area, the Karatu highlands are a world of coffee plantations, vegetable gardens and forest. Lodges such as Gibb's Farm and Kitela Lodge sit among working farms, with spacious cottages, warm fires for the cool evenings and walks through the grounds. It is a peaceful place to rest between game drives, a short drive from the crater gate.
Plan your Ngorongoro stay →Best time to visit the Ngorongoro Crater
The wildlife lives on the crater floor all year, so game viewing is reliable in every month. The seasons change the scenery and the crowds.
June – October
Dry season, short grass and easy game viewing. Busy, so book your lodge early.
November – March
Lush scenery, young animals and fewer vehicles, with short showers.
April – May
The long rains bring the lowest rates and very few visitors. Some camps close.
Cool nights
The rim sits above 2,000 metres, so evenings are cool in every season. Pack a warm layer.
Safaris that include the Ngorongoro Crater
Each journey below includes a game drive in the crater and a night nearby. Choose your comfort level and we will match the lodge.
Northern Tanzania
Northern Tanzania
Northern Tanzania
Zanzibar
Northern Tanzania
Northern Tanzania
Northern Tanzania
Southern Tanzania
Northern Tanzania
Northern Tanzania
Zanzibar
Prices are a guide per person for two travellers sharing. However, we confirm them for your dates and party size before booking.
How much does a Ngorongoro safari cost?
The cost depends mostly on your lodge, the number of days and the season. Lodges on the crater rim usually cost more than those in Karatu, partly because conservation fees apply for every night inside the conservation area. These journeys give a guide per person for two travellers sharing.
Prices also vary by season, group size and internal flights. However, every quote is itemized and confirmed in writing before you book.
Ngorongoro lodge questions
If you have a question we haven't covered, our Tanzania-based team is happy to help, so just ask.
Where is the best place to stay near the Ngorongoro Crater?
It depends on what you want. Lodges on the crater rim have views into the caldera and the shortest drive down to the crater floor. Lodges in the Karatu highlands are greener, quieter and often better value, a short drive from the main gate.
Is it better to stay on the crater rim or in Karatu?
Stay on the rim if the view and an early start on the crater floor matter most. Choose Karatu if you prefer gardens, farm walks and more space for your budget. Many guests spend one night in each.
How far is Karatu from the Ngorongoro Crater?
Karatu is about 20 minutes' drive from the main gate of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. From the gate, the road climbs to the crater rim and then down to the crater floor, so allow extra time in the morning.
How many nights should I stay at Ngorongoro?
One night is enough for a full day on the crater floor. Two nights give you time to add Olduvai Gorge, a Maasai village or a walk in the highlands without rushing.
Can you see the crater from the lodges?
Lodges on the crater rim look straight into the caldera, which is one of the best views in Africa. Lodges in Karatu have views over farms, forest and the highlands instead.
Do crater rim lodges cost more?
Usually, yes. Rim lodges are inside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where conservation fees apply for every night you stay. Karatu lodges are outside the area, which often makes them better value.
Is it cold at the Ngorongoro Crater?
The crater rim sits above 2,000 metres, so nights and early mornings are cool all year, especially from June to August. Bring a warm jacket for the evenings and the early game drive.
Can we stay inside the crater?
No. Overnight stays on the crater floor are not allowed. All lodges and camps are on the rim, elsewhere in the conservation area or in the Karatu highlands.
How long can you spend on the crater floor?
Game drives on the crater floor are limited to around six hours a day, so most guests go down early and have a picnic lunch on the crater floor before driving back up.
Are there luxury lodges at Ngorongoro?
Yes. Ngorongoro Lodge Meliá Collection sits on the crater rim, Neptune Ngorongoro Luxury Lodge and Embalakai Ngorongoro Camp are in the conservation area, and Gibb's Farm and Kitela Lodge offer luxury in the Karatu highlands.
What is the best time to visit the Ngorongoro Crater?
You can visit all year because the wildlife lives on the crater floor. June to October is dry with easy game viewing, November to March is green and quieter, and April to May has the lowest rates.