Best hotels in Ngorongoro Crater

7500 feet above sea level, nestled on the verdant, misty slopes of the enchanting Crater Highlands region and just a stones throw from Karatu village, is Gibb’s Farm. Established in the 1920s as a coffee plantation, the farm now welcomes guests in pretty cottages dotted around the splendid gardens and there are plenty of activities on offer at the Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara. Today, the farm is a chic, country retreat that has home-grown luxury down to a 'T'; find flowers from the garden in the lounge, hearty organic produce at mealtimes and farm-fresh coffee delivered to your room every morning. Bliss.

Entamanu teeters on the north-west rim of one of the world's most iconic natural phenomena, Tanzania's Ngorongoro Crater. Uniquely perched to exploit the beauty of both the southern Serengeti plains and the plummeting crater below, this lodge has dramatic views, literally, all around. The lodge is accessible by road from Arusha - even the drive is its own adventure, hugging the crater's contours. Breathtaking landscapes aside, this is one of the premier wildlife destinations in the world, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site to boot. The area is home to the regal Maasai people, known for their rich history and hunting culture. Everywhere you look there's something utterly remarkable.

This mid-sized, owner-run lodge is located in the hills of rural Karatu, about halfway between Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Lake Manyara National Park - and a short drive to Tarangire National Park and the extraordinary Serengeti. Set in 10 acres of beautifully maintained gardens, Plantation Lodge offers a great mix of lush surroundings, lodge comfort, excellent food, spa pampering, aesthetically pleasing African style and access to Tanzania's most scenic national parks.

Sitting within an acacia woodland on the Ngorongoro Crater's north-eastern rim, this Tanzanian-owned beauty offers 15 tented suites with views that'll have you glued to your private deck. But here's the real kicker: you're just a four-minute drive from the Lemala gate, meaning you'll be among the first vehicles descending to the crater floor each morning. Combine that privileged access with gas fireplaces for chilly highland evenings, crater-floor picnic lunches, and a commitment to eco-conscious design, and you've got yourself a rather impressive base for exploring one of Africa's Seven Natural Wonders.

Perched dramatically on the edge of the world's largest intact volcanic caldera, Melia brings a good helping of luxury to Tanzania's most iconic natural wonder. This is where you'll wake to views that most visitors only glimpse from crowded viewpoints – the sweeping 600-metre-deep crater stretching endlessly below your window. With 52 rooms and suites decorated with Maasai-inspired touches, two excellent restaurants serving everything from wood-fired pizzas to gourmet African fusion, and an infinity pool that seems to spill into the caldera itself, this is a safari done exceptionally well. And honestly, you might struggle to tear yourself away from that terrace.

Closed for refurbishment - reopening 2027

Voted one of the top 10 hotels on the planet, Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is undoubtedly one of the most opulent lodges in Africa. And yet, while no expense has been spared to ensure your every need is catered for, the main attraction is the lodge's setting – on the rim of the famous and archaeologically significant Ngorongoro Crater. Both lodge and crater lie at the heart of an 8,300-square-kilometre conservation area that is home to an astonishing selection of wildlife, including hippo, antelope, buffalo, black rhino, one of the highest carnivore densities in the world and plentiful bird species.

Northern Tanzania's Ngorongoro Crater is one of the world's most vital wildlife areas. The floor of this ancient caldera – the result of a volcano that erupted and collapsed in on itself two to three million years ago – is a lush, mineral-rich habitat that supports a profusion of wildlife. The game is contained within the crater walls, in an area of 100 square miles (260 square kilometres), so thrilling sightings are common. Ngorongoro Crater Camp, an A&K Sanctuary is well positioned in a lush belt of indigenous forest on the northern rim of the crater, within easy access of the action.

Romantic yet classic, cosy but perfectly stylish, Acacia Farm Lodge is an excellent addition to the Karatu Ngorongoro safari scene. Situated on a working coffee plantation, the beautifully manicured rows of green bushes create a relaxing oasis in the wilds of the Crater Highlands – the perfect respite at the end of a dusty African day. There are plenty of activities to keep you busy too, with mountain biking, nature walks and cultural visits all on offer. And with the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Manyara and Tarangire all within 2 hour’s drive, northern Tanzania is, quite literally, on the doorstep.

The Manor at Ngorongoro is located about an hour's drive away from the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater in northern Tanzania, and half an hour from Lake Manyara. Although only built in 2008, it's a perfect replication of the 18th and 19th century colonial-style mansions, typical of South Africa's Cape winelands, and there really is nothing like it in Tanzania. Instead of being surrounded by vineyards, The Manor is set amidst a beautiful, sprawling coffee estate and the most manicured of gardens, and offers a level of service, luxury and charm that's definitely hard to beat.

Rhotia Valley Tented Lodge is located deep in the farmlands of the Ngorongoro Karatu region of northern Tanzania. It's the long-term project of two Dutch doctors who saw the beauty and need of the community, and built a camp to serve both tourists (particularly as a conference venue), and the local children by means of an orphanage and a school. A stay here is a lovely break from the early mornings on safari and it's a good base from which to explore the surrounding area, including the infamous Ngorongoro Crater (which might require an early morning start!). It's a simple but intimate and totally charming lodge, and impressively, 20% of the nightly rate is donated to the children's home and other related projects.

Built on the site of the former Rhino Lodge, the oldest lodge in the crater, Laba Ngorongoro enjoys an exceptional location. Just a few steps from the “Rim,” the edge of the crater, it is also the closest lodge to the park entrance. It also offers breathtaking views of the lush surrounding forest and the Oldeani and Makarot mountains. From what was once the Rhino Lodge, the former curator’s house has been preserved as a tribute. It was once the home of Henry Albert Fosbrooke (1905–1996), the region’s first ecologist, whose tireless efforts led to the creation of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. He was its first conservator. This highly symbolic residence will house the lodge’s reception, bar-lounge, and boutique.