Search

GBP (£)

GBP (£)
US DOLLARS ($)

+44 207 384 2332 Plan Your Trip

GBP (£)

GBP (£)
US DOLLARS ($)

+44 207 384 2332 Plan Your Trip

+44 207 384 2332 Plan your trip

Luxury Safari Lodge
Tanzania

The Highlands
Ngorongoro Crater

HIGHLIGHTS
GALLERY
GOOD TO KNOW
ENQUIRE

Highlights

Striking dome suites: Inspired by traditional Maasai bomas, the camp’s geodesic domes provide a unique and luxurious retreat. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer sweeping views of the highlands, while wood-burning stoves ensure warmth on cool evenings. Each suite blends contemporary design with natural elements, creating an intimate and immersive safari experience.
Exclusive crater access: Located on the remote slopes of Olmoti Volcano, the camp offers early-morning access to Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife destinations. Avoiding the main entry routes allows for an uncrowded and more intimate safari experience, maximizing the chance to witness predators in action.
Incredible wildlife encounters: Ngorongoro Crater is home to one of the highest densities of wildlife in Africa. Black rhinos roam the plains, lions stalk herds of wildebeest and zebra, and elephants traverse the lush crater floor. Flamingos gather in the seasonal lakes, while leopards and hyenas patrol the grasslands.
Cultural immersion: The camp’s location near Maasai villages offers the opportunity to engage with local communities. Guests can visit a Maasai homestead, learn about their age-old traditions, witness ceremonial dances, and gain insight into how they have coexisted with wildlife for centuries.
Hiking adventures: Unlike many lodges in the region, The Highlands offers guided treks to the remote Olmoti and Empakaai Craters. Hikers can traverse ancient volcanic landscapes, descend into forests teeming with birdlife, and witness thousands of flamingos congregating on Empakaai’s emerald-green lake.
Remote luxury: With only a handful of other properties in this part of the highlands, The Highlands provides a peaceful, off-the-beaten-path safari experience. The combination of cutting-edge design, exceptional service, and stunning natural surroundings creates a stay that feels both exclusive and deeply connected to the landscape.

Gallery

Good to know

How to get there

You can take a scenic drive from Arusha, which is approximately a 5-6 hour journey, or opt for a charter flight to the nearby Manyara Airstrip, followed by a scenic 3-hour long drive to the camp.

Are children welcome?

Children aged 5 and above are welcome at The Highlands, making it a great option for families seeking a remote and immersive safari experience. Due to the high-altitude location and adventurous nature of the camp, it is best suited for older children who can fully engage with the activities.

Families with children under 12 are required to book a private safari vehicle, ensuring flexibility for shorter game drives and tailored experiences. The camp’s guides engage young explorers, introducing them to tracking, Maasai culture, and the diverse wildlife of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Giving back

Eco-friendly design: The lodge’s architecture minimizes environmental impact, blending seamlessly with the natural surroundings to preserve the area’s beauty.
Renewable energy: Utilizing solar power reduces reliance on non-renewable energy sources, aligning with sustainable practices.
Water conservation: Implementing water-saving measures ensures the responsible use of this precious resource in the highland ecosystem.
Community engagement: Collaborations with local Maasai communities promote cultural preservation and provide economic benefits through employment and partnerships.
Wildlife conservation: Supporting local conservation projects helps protect the unique flora and fauna of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

What wildlife can you expect to see?

Big cats: Lions roam the Ngorongoro Crater in large prides, often seen hunting wildebeest and zebra. Leopards are more elusive but are spotted along the crater rim and in the forests surrounding the camp.
Black rhinos: Ngorongoro Crater is one of the best places in Africa to see endangered black rhinos, with a small but thriving population.
Elephants and buffalo: Large-tusked elephants and massive buffalo herds can be found in the crater, as well as in the highland forests near the camp.
Wildebeest and zebra: Thousands of wildebeest and zebra graze across the crater floor, providing a vital food source for predators.
Flamingos and birdlife: Seasonal lakes within the crater attract flocks of flamingos, while the highlands are home to turacos, sunbirds, and raptors like the Augur buzzard.
Unique highland species: The forests around the camp are home to bushbucks, servals, hyenas, and golden jackals, offering wildlife encounters beyond the crater floor.
.

Why we love The Highlands

The pods themselves are a fantastic experience, putting you so close to nature in this wild location. However, it is the location that allows you exclusive access to parts of this stunning region, with incredible guides, that really makes this property stand out.

Aisha Gross

Destination Expert

Africa and the Indian Ocean