The Highlands

Ngorongoro, Tanzania

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Stay at The Highlands

The Highlands offers its guests an experience of the Ngorongoro Crater like no other. Combining ultra-luxury with low-impact, the Highlands is without a doubt the place to go to discover the wild and beautiful crater. Eight elegant domed suites, inspired by the local Masai bomas, offer guests king-sized beds with floor-to-canvas-ceiling bay windows, en-suite bathrooms with hot running water, showers and flushing toilets, and wood-burning stoves.

Perched high on the slopes of the Olmoti Volcano, guests can enjoy awe-inspiring views of the Gol Mountains in the northwest, the Empakaai Crater in the east and all the way to the Olmoti crater in the west. The Ngorongoro Crater – a 45 minute drive from the Highlands – is one of the most iconic natural wonders of the world. Believed to have once been a contender of Mount Kilimanjaro as the highest peak in Africa, its dome collapsed in on itself a little over 2.5 million years ago resulting in the gigantic caldera; the largest un-flooded and intact caldera in the world. As a result of its mineral rich soil, the crater overflows with wildlife year-round. Indeed, the park is one of the most densely crowded wildlife areas in the world – home to an estimated 30,000 animals.

Year round the crater is teeming with wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, hyenas, lion, warthog, hippo, giant elephants and a small population of black rhino. Although outstanding, the crater is not the only draw to this beautiful area. The Highlands offer a range of activities that most other lodges do not, enabling the guest to experience the area in all its glory. Other than the Ngorongoro descent and spectacular game drives, activities include the Olmoti climb and the Empakai descent. The Olmoti climb follows an ancient Masai cattle trail through mountain forest, grasslands and rocky outcrops. Along the way you will be able to enjoy the vast array of butterflies and birds.

The camps proximity to the Empakai Crater allows you to take the exclusive half day excursion down into the crater to the glistening soda lake on the crater floor covered with pink flamingoes that crowd along its shore.

Why we love it

Outstanding views of the Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti plains
An array of activities afforded by the camp’s exclusive location
We love the futuristic feel of the domes and their sumptuous interiors

Experiences

Nature Walks

Follow your guide through the Empakaai Crater to witness the hundreds of flamingos who call the lush shores of the soda lake home.

Maasai Village

For a cultural experience to remember, spend a day exploring the lives of a local Maasai village, including an opportunity to tour the school.

Game Drives

Set out on a morning game drive to spot the Big Five, along with zebras, gazelles and many other animals who roam the Ngorongoro Crater.

Volcano

Follow in the footsteps of the Maasai and their cattle as you hike the Olmoti Volcano, and view the start of the Munge River from the crater's waterfalls.

Picnic

Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime lesson about lions over a picnic lunch with a researcher dedicated to the conservation of the big cats.

Facilities

Children aged 5 and over

Laundry Daily

5 Star Restaurant

Gallery

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Macarena & Ariel

We had an amazing honeymoon trip in Tanzania – we really enjoyed every moment and cannot wait to be back! The TLT team is really willing to create the perfect trip customized to your needs. All the partners they had in Africa were top quality and we did not have any problems. The team members have been in the places they recommend so it is easier to choose the perfect place for your holiday. Thank you very much for all the work all the way to the end of our trip, and hopefully next year we can plan another trip with you guys.