Crater Lodge: Information from the owner

Family Suite

Families, or groups, will love the family suite at andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge. Two suites are conveniently interlinked via a closed walkway, which allows access between the suites, while maintaining complete privacy. The bedrooms, sitting rooms and ensuite bathrooms of the suites boast floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking the magnificent Crater below. The family suite can accommodate two adults and two children.

Suite(s)

Three separate and intimate camps totalling just 30 suites are reminiscent of a bygone era. Steeped in romance, each stilted, handcrafted mud and thatch suite is adorned with graceful antiques, grand chandeliers and elegant African treasures. The bedroom, sitting room and ensuite bathroom boast floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking the magnificent Crater below. Beaded chandeliers hang above large gilt mirrors, while antiques, billowing raw silk curtains and leather-backed chairs blend harmoniously with African art elements. Ensuite bathrooms with a dramatic centrepiece of red roses feature spacious showers and chandelier-lit bathtubs. Personal butler discretely cater for each guest’s every need, bringing tea in bed, stoking fireplaces and drawing luxurious bubble baths.

African Drummers (Additional Cost)

Experiencing the rhythm of African music is one of the most unforgettable experiences. This group of local drummers provides great entertainment to guests, whilst also sharing their unique culture. The traditional music of Tanzanian cultures is given its melodic drive by a marimba (also called a mbira), a type of instrument that is unique to Africa. Weather dependent and exclusivity cannot be guaranteed. Performance takes place on the lawn in front of lodge. Minimum one months notice required.

Available at an additional charge.

Celebratory Champagne Tasting (Additional Cost)

Perfect for celebrating a special occasion or even just to toast an incredible safari, this activity offers the opportunity to indulge in a decadent champagne tasting in andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge’s beautiful wine store. Sip on a delightful French champagne and compare it with a renowned South African Methode Cap Classique and sparkling wines. This activity also includes delicious finger snacks.

Additional costs apply

Crater Floor Banquet (Additional Cost)

After your scenic descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, enjoy a tasty hot lunch served in breathtaking surroundings at a private picnic spot on the Crater floor. Personalised butler service combines with breathtaking surroundings in the midst of the wildlife action.

Minimum 10 guests. Minimum one months notice required.
Weather dependant and subject to availability of picnic site. Excludes Crater fees.
Additional costs apply

Crater View Walk (Additional Cost)

This popular late afternoon walk along the western rim of the Ngorongoro Crater allows guests to experience various natural habitats, including the acacia woodland, thick lush forests and open grasslands.

Highlights:
• Excellent birding route with sightings of golden winged sunbirds, African cytrill, white eyed slaty flycatcher and mountain buzzard
• The only place in the area to see Schalow’s wheatear and mountain white-eye
• A chance to see the Maasai and their cattle en route

Maximum 6 guests. Cannot be pre-booked.
Available at an additional charge

Empakai Crater Hike (Additional Cost)

From the beautiful forests that surround the Empakaai Crater walls to impressive strangler figs and fantastic birdlife, this energetic full day hiking adventure promises guests an up close experience with nature.

Highlights:
• Explore the Empakaai Crater floor and the water’s edge
• Birdwatcher’s paradise
• Potential sightings of barred tailed trogon, grey headed negro finch, greater and lesser flamingo, steppe eagles and crowned eagles

Maximum 6 guests. The walk into and out of the crater is on a steep grade and at a high altitude and therefore is suitable for relatively fit and agile individuals. Full day hiking adventure.

Additional costs apply

Game Drives (Included)

As andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is situated in the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, game drives take a significant amount of time to reach the crater’s floor and return to the lodge. This means that you will most likely be offered the choice of one morning or afternoon game drive per day. You will descend into the crater through a lush highland forest, with magnificent birdlife to be spotted among the different tree species. Once on the grassy crater floor, you may discover a large variety of grazing herbivores, as well as the predators that are attracted by this abundant supply of prey. Depending on the time of year, you may see huge flocks of pink flamingo around the shores of the shallow Lake Magadi, while the surrounding swamp is inhabited by hippo. While the Ngorongoro Crater boasts an incredible abundance of wildlife, you will most likely also encounter a great number of other vehicles during the high season, especially at high interest sightings. On the other hand, the rainy season is much quieter, allowing for a far more private game drive. Safari vehicles are closed, with glass windows and a pop-up roof. Off-road driving is not permitted.

Hadzabe Bushmen Experience (Additional Cost)

A fascinating cultural highlight now being offered to guests visiting andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is a full-day, off-the-beaten-track adventure with the Hadzabe people. These ancient hunter-gatherers inhabit the land near Lake Eyasi, and their traditional unchanged way of life and obvious harmony with the earth are spellbinding. Accompanied throughout by an andBeyond ranger, guests have the opportunity to engage with the bushmen and learn all about their time-honoured hunting techniques, survival skills, food preparation and cultural norms. A veritable step back in time, this is an undeniably authentic cultural journey into rural Tanzania that reveals the untold world of these charismatic people. This adventure must be pre-booked and is not suitable for children under 12 years of age.

Hosted Dinner (Additional Cost)

Tonight, your dinner will be hosted by the lodge’s General Manager who will offer more insight about andBeyond's philanthropic investments.

Interact with KopeLion conservation team (Additional Cost)

Enjoy half a day with the KopeLion team and discover how these dedicated conservationists are fostering lion-people coexistence within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA). Working closely with local communities, they are creating a sustainable ‘corridor of tolerance’ that will re-connect the divided Crater and Serengeti lion sub-populations, ensuring their long-term survival. This insightful experience will give you the opportunity to understand the challenges and complexities of wildlife and human coexistence.

Accompanied by a KopeLion team member, you’ll be driven through Maasai villages, and a diversity of habitats, from the lush Crater rim, through sparse grasslands, and into a beautiful secluded forest spot. Here you’ll meet one of the KopeLion ‘Ilchokuti’ (lion guardians) who will talk about his work that entails both working with the local communities, and protecting lions.

Lake Eyasi Walk (Additional Cost)

A panoramic half day walk through Maasai villages and open grazing land that allows guests to enjoy the culture and lifestyle of the Maasai. Along with authentic culture, this walk also offers spectacular views of Lake Eyasi.

Highlights:
• The inspiring Africa Foundation Mokilail School project can be visited en route
• The walk can be tailored to finish at a viewing point overlooking Lake Eyasi - perfect for sundowners
• A unique opportunity to interact with the Maasai

Maximum 6 guests. Half day panoramic walking route.
Additional costs apply

Maasai Delight with Pre Dinner Drinks (Additional Cost)

After an adventure-filled day of game viewing, enjoy an unforgettable pre-dinner drink in front of the lodge, accompanied by the beautiful traditional singing and chanting of 20 Maasai warriors. This cultural activity is perfect for groups or families.

2 weeks’ notice required.

Additional costs apply

Maasai village visit (Additional Cost)

Visit a Maasai Village and immerse yourself into the local culture. Learn how to make fire the traditional way, get invited into a Maasai manyatta (home) and visit the Maasai school for the younger children.

Massage: Africa Hand and Foot Treaments - African Footprint Ritual (Additional Cost)

Melt away stress and rejuvenate your tired legs with this foot treatment which will leave your feet feeling hydrated, softened and silky smooth, ready to conquer the African bush. Your feet is soaked in an African Joy energizing salt soak, scrubbed with rejuvenating peppermint and eucalyptus scrub and embalmed in African Shea Butter. Relax as you receive a shoulder and scalp massage and finish the treatment with a cooling foot gel to put the final spring in your step

30min
60min

Massage: Africa Hand and Foot Treaments - African Handprint Ritual (Additional Cost)

The ultimate hand ritual. Your hands are polished with a pure Peppermint and Aloe Vera polish and cuticles restored with indigenous healing oils. Your hands are then embalmed with African Shea Butter. Relax as you receive a shoulder and scalp massage and finish the treatment with a nourishing Pinotage hand oil massage, leaving your hands feeling soft and rejuvenated.

30min
60min

Massage: Earth Glow Body Polish and Wrap (Additional Cost)

Re-awaken your senses through gentle exfoliation and envelope your body with inspirational blends of natural African essential oils and botanicals. We start the treatment with a dry polish followed by a full body polish to alleviate tension and renew skin. We then do the wrap and an indulgent full body massage using our powerful collection of indigenous African oils and balms.

Choose African Potato for its Ancient Healing powers, Marula Neroli for a Sensory Indulgence, Kalahari Melon for its Hydrating Properties, Mongongo Nut to Detox or Cinnamon & Orange to Firm and Tone

90min

Massage: Healing Earth African Shea Butter Ritual (Additional Cost)

African Shea Butter has been long hailed for its powerful healing and nourishing effects. Relaxing nourishing and energizing this full body massage targets specific areas or tension and muscular discomfort employing deep tissue techniques where pain is dramatically alleviated.

Full Body and Scalp 75min
Back, Neck and Scalp 45min

Massage: Quiet Mind Journey (Additional Cost)

You are required to create a personal affirmation to reclaim an unconditional acceptance and love for yourself and reconnect with your soul to release all negative energy from deep within. A unique blend of
aromatherapy and plant oils chosen specifically by you, combining deep tissue massage techniques to bring relaxation to tired, aching muscles allowing the body and soul to return to perfect equilibrium. Choose from a blend of aromatherapy oils to either destress, hydrate, relax or detox.

Full body: 90 min
Back and Neck only: 30 mi

Massage: Signature Therapy - Embrace the healing earth difference (Additional Cost)

Maasai Celebration Journey
Healing Earth has embodied the vibrant fusion of colorful beadwork preserving the Maasai Culture of the past, present and future within the Maasai Celebration Journey.

Our Journey starts with a Maasai Foot Ritual, where salt crystals infused with plant extracts are used to cleanse away outside elements, ensuring a positive and continual flow of energy within the client-therapist Journey.

The journey continues with a beautiful body cleanse, using a refreshing Healing Earth Tanga-Orange Polish mixed with indigenous oil extracts to thoroughly cleanse the skin. A delightful, relaxation massage therapy follows with our Maasai Body Butter, enriched with African Shea Butter, Coconut Oil and a rich spice blend that leaves your body, mind and soul renewed and invigorated.
To end your Journey, we call on the Rain with our Ancient Maasai Thank You Celebration to signify the end of our signature therapy and as symbolism of the Maasai Culture where rain is symbolic as an essential life giving force of new beginnings, prosperity and rejuvenation.

Clients embrace the Maasai World and is gifted with a Jewel of Maasai beadwork which they intuitively choose thereby holding a lasting memory and deep-rooted connection with the African Soil and its people.

90mins

Massage: Soul of the Earth Celebration (Additional Cost)

Re-awaken your Soul with a combination of powerful African aromatherapy oils and botanical body balms combining traditional African Calabash and Bamboo tools with human touch and rhythmic movement in this indulgent ritual, the ultimate source of relaxation to bring balance to your mind, body and soul in the heart of Africa, the cradle of mankind, through touch and vibrational sound therapy using ancient sound tools and techniques.

Choose African Potato for its Ancient Healing powers, Marula Neroli for a Sensory Indulgence, Kalahari Melon for its Hydrating Properties, Mongongo Nut to Detox or Cinnamon and Orange to Firm and Tone

Full body and Scalp: 90min
Back and Scalp: 60min

Massage: WildChild Beauties and Buddies (Additional Cost)

A WildChild needs pampering too

Soak those tired little feet in Healing Earth’s Lavender and Jasmine bubble bath, followed by a Mango Orange scrub, toe nail grooming and mini foot tickle and rub. To recharge your energy a 15min back, neck and shoulder massage with pure Aloe Vera Gel will guarantee to send our budding rangers off on their next adventure in the African Bush.

Treatment 30min

Olduvai Gorge & Shifting Sands Tour (Additional Cost)

Explore the breathtaking surrounds of the archaeological site of Olduvai Gorge, the cradle of mankind, best known as home of the earliest remains of homo sapiens, discovered by Mary Leaky. Move on to crescent-shaped volcanic ash dunes knows as Shifting Sands, which slowly creep across the desert floor in response to prevailing winds.

Additional costs apply

Pre-dinner drinks with KopeLion (Additional Cost)

Unwind after a thrilling day of game viewing with a bottle of fine wine and share some time with the KopeLion conservationists. This intimate setting lends itself perfectly to an interactive presentation by a member of the KopeLion team, followed by an exchange of questions and answers about the invaluable work they are doing to eliminate human-lion conflict along a ‘corridor of tolerance’ linking the Crater to the Serengeti. This is a perfect opportunity to get a full understanding of the work they are doing, and their commitment to a sustainable solution

Private Dinner in the Wine Store (Additional Cost)

Beautifully romantic and exclusive, a private dinner in the lodge’s wine store is perfect for an evening spent with a loved one or as a more intimate activity to spend with friends and family. Tuck into a delectable menu in the beautiful surrounds of the andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge’s wine store. This dinner includes a small bottle of French champagne as well as a bottle of wine, of your choice, for your special evening.

Additional costs apply

Private Dinner in the Wine Store (Additional Cost)

Beautifully romantic and exclusive, a private dinner in the lodge’s wine store is perfect for an evening spent with a loved one or as a more intimate activity to spend with friends and family. Tuck into a delectable menu in the beautiful surrounds of the andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge’s wine store. This dinner includes a small bottle of French champagne as well as a bottle of wine, of your choice, for your special evening.

Minimum 2 guests; maximum 6.

Additional costs apply

Private Sundowners on the Rim (Additional Cost)

Make a toast to the setting sun with a refreshing sundowner cocktail at Gorgor (walking distance from the lodge), on the rim of the Crater. You will also be accompanied by 20 Maasai warriors who will serenade you with their traditional chants and songs. Expect unforgettable views and exceptional photographic opportunities.

Minimum 6 guests; maximum 20. One month’s notice required. Weather dependant.
Additional costs apply

Private Vehicle (Additional Cost)

With a dedicated game ranger and tracker, as well as a private game drive vehicle, guests have the luxury of tailor-making their own safari experience; choosing their own game drive times and spending as much time as they want at sightings.

Rose Petal Dinner (Additional Cost)

The dining area is magically transformed into an elegant banquet fit for a king and queen. The long, chandelier-lit dining table, adorned with white linen, candles and bouquets of roses, is surrounded by a carpet of brightly coloured rose petals. This is the height of elegance and romance. At each guest’s place setting, a single rose sits on top of a beautifully presented menu card. A sumptuous meal, prepared by expert chefs, is then served by attentive butlers and includes a glass of French champagne.

Minimum 24 guests. Two weeks notice period.
Additional costs apply

Taste of Tanzania (Additional Cost)

Be moved by a sensational performance of traditional music, singing and dancing at andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge. Tuck into a selection of mouth-watering snacks and savour refreshing pre-dinner drinks while a group of 20 Maasai warriors, in full traditional dress, perform a series of stirring songs; with the spectacular view the Crater as your backdrop. Afterwards, enjoy a toe-tapping, rhythmical performance as African drummers take over and thrill with their expressive beats, dance moves and acrobatic feats.

WILDchild programme

andBeyond’s WILDchild programme, designed especially for children visiting our safari lodges and camps in Africa, is filled with fun, interactive activities that offer opportunities to learn and discover new experiences and cultures. Deeply rooted in the love for the African bush, it not only creates a series of unforgettable moments for the whole family but forges strong bonds between our young guests, our planet and its people.

Wine Store Paring Dinner (Additional Cost)

Exceptional for the epicurean, this Pairing Dinner activity will allow you to enjoy a private evening that includes a mouth-watering five course dinner menu in the andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge’s beautiful wine store. Each course will be accompanied with one of the lodge’s exclusive wines from the cellar.

Additional costs apply