SANCTUARY NGORONGORO CRATER CAMP – NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA

Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp offers an exclusive safari experience on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater – one of Africa’s best known natural wonders. Situated close to the entrance of the Ngorongoro Crater, the camp combines elegant tented accommodation with access to a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its exceptional wildlife and dramatic scenery.

Part of Abercrombie & Kent’s Sanctuary Retreats collection, the camp has been designed to blend into the environment while providing a comfortable base from which to explore the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera. Being close to an access road down to the crater gives guests early access to the crater floor and a late departure back to the camp.

With just 10 luxury tented suites, a superb location with easy access to the crater floor Sanctuary Ngorongoro offers a superb base from which to enjoy the fabulous wildlife of the Ngorongoro Crater.

LOCATION

Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp enjoys a secluded position within indigenous forest close to the Ngorongoro Crater rim, allowing guests to reach the crater floor quickly each morning before many day visitors arrive.  The camp is within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and access is best on a road safari from the Serengeti or via Arusha or Tarangire.  Alternatively you can reach the camp via scheduled or charter flights into Lake Manyara Airstrip, followed by a scenic road transfer through the highlands.

THE CAMP – ELEGANT TENTED ACCOMMODATION IN THE HIGHLAND FOREST

Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp has been designed to blend into the surrounding forest while providing contemporary comfort.  Each of the ten luxury safari tents has been positioned beneath mature trees to maximise privacy and create a peaceful atmosphere away from the busier areas surrounding the crater.

Every tent offers spacious sleeping accommodation with king-size or twin beds, stylish furnishings en-suite bathroom facilities with modern fittings. Canvas walls and generous windows allow natural light to fill the interiors while maintaining a close connection with the surrounding forest and private wooden decks offer comfortable seating areas where you can relax after your safari and use the Leica binoculars provided to scan for wildlife. Electric heaters are available for chilly nights.

The central area includes comfortable lounges, an elegant dining space and outdoor seating where freshly prepared meals are served using seasonal ingredients. Evenings are often spent beside the campfire, sharing stories of the day’s wildlife encounters.

ACTIVITIES AND WILDLIFE VIEWING

The principal attraction of Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp is its proximity to the Ngorongoro Crater, allowing guests to descend onto the crater floor early each morning for outstanding wildlife viewing.

The crater supports one of Africa’s highest densities of large mammals, with excellent opportunities to encounter lion, elephant, buffalo, spotted hyaena, zebra, blue wildebeest, eland, Thomson’s gazelle and numerous other species during a single game drive.  Ngorongoro is also regarded as one of Tanzania’s best locations to observe the endangered black rhinoceros, whose population has recovered steadily through dedicated conservation efforts.

Lake Magadi, situated on the crater floor, attracts large numbers of flamingos together with pelicans, storks and a variety of waterbirds. More than 500 bird species have been recorded within the wider conservation area, making the region rewarding for birdwatchers throughout the year.  Experienced guides interpret not only the wildlife but also the crater’s fascinating geological history, explaining how volcanic activity created this remarkable landscape millions of years ago.

Beyond the crater you can enjoy guided excursions through the surrounding highlands, visits to Maasai communities and scenic viewpoints overlooking the caldera, providing a broader understanding of the area’s natural and cultural heritage.

Photographers are particularly rewarded by the changing light across the crater floor, especially during the early morning when mist often lingers above the grasslands before clearing to reveal spectacular panoramic views.

CONSERVATION AND COMMUNITY

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is recognised internationally for its importance as both a wildlife sanctuary and a cultural landscape. Established to protect one of Africa’s most diverse ecosystems, it supports an extraordinary variety of wildlife while allowing the Maasai community to continue its traditional pastoral way of life.

As part of the Sanctuary Retreats collection, Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp follows responsible tourism practices designed to minimise environmental impact while supporting local employment, training and community partnerships. A&K Philanthropy initiatives in Tanzania include Safe Water for Schools, providing water filtration systems to schools; Education on the Edge of Tanzania’s Wilderness, supporting Gijedabung and Mwikantsi primary schools near Tarangire National Park; Ilboru Special Needs Education Unit; Project CURE, delivering medical equipment to resource-limited communities; and Kafika House, providing healthcare for disabled children in Arusha.

SANCTUARY NGORONGORO CRATER CAMP IS CLOSED IN APRIL AND MAY EVERY YEAR

THE CAMP WELCOMES CHILDREN AGED 6 YEARS AND OLDER.  CHILDREN AGED 15 AND YOUNGER ARE REQUIRED TO SHARE WITH THEIR PARENTS.  A PRIVATE VEHICLE MUST BE BOOKED FOR CHILDREN AGED 5 YEARS AND YOUNGER.