A guest tent glowing at dusk beneath ancient acacia trees near the Ngorongoro rim

Ridge collection · Ngorongoro Crater

Ngorongoro Tented Camp

Ten tents in an ancient acacia forest on the quiet eastern side of the crater rim

Collection: Ridge · Mid-range to upper mid-range
Destination: Ngorongoro Crater
Area: Ngorongoro crater rim, east side
Style: Forest tented camp
Best months: Jan, Feb, Mar, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

About Ngorongoro Tented Camp

Ngorongoro Tented Camp is set in a forest of old acacias close to the rim of the crater. It stands beside the quiet eastern access road, which means the crater floor is a short drive away and your morning begins well ahead of the traffic on the busier western approach.

That head start matters. Game is most active in the early morning and late afternoon, and guests here can be down on the floor within minutes of leaving camp, with first light for photography and an unhurried afternoon before the climb back to the forest.

Ten spacious tents are set carefully apart, so each has privacy and the forest is left undisturbed. The evenings revolve around a mess tent with sofas, lamps and bookshelves, and a campfire for trading stories from the day.

Quiet eastern crater access road with an early start
Ten tents spaced for privacy among old acacias
Warm duvets, hot water bottles and gas heaters
One two-bedroom tent for families and friends
Escorted forest and rim walks with an armed ranger
Complimentary drinks, except premium wines and spirits

Setting

The camp stands in a forest of ancient acacia trees close to the crater rim, on the eastern side where the access road is quiet. Mornings are often cool and misty, with light filtering through a high canopy, and the crater floor spreads out below within a short drive. It is a cosy, sheltered base, with the wildlife of Ngorongoro on its doorstep.

Rooms and tents

Ten spacious tents each hold two double or twin-style beds, with triples available on request, and one tent has two bedrooms. Bathrooms are en suite with a flush toilet and a shower. The rim gets cold at night, so winter-weight duvets, hot water bottles and gas heaters are part of the welcome. Power comes from solar, with a back-up generator.

Dining

Meals are served in the mess tent, furnished with sofas, lamps, bookshelves and old-wood cabinets, with an adjoining lounge and bar. After the day's drive there is a campfire, followed by a hearty dinner. Drinks are included apart from premium wines and spirits, and we can arrange for dietary needs if you tell us ahead.

Things to do from here

Early crater descents, with the first light on the floor
Afternoon game drives that stay late on the crater
Escorted walks in the forest and along the rim with an armed ranger and a Maasai guide
Evenings by the campfire
Photography with soft early light

When to stay

The crater has wildlife all year, and the dry season from roughly June to October is the easiest for game viewing. The long rains from March to May bring lush grass, fewer vehicles and dramatic skies, while November and December bring shorter showers. Whatever the month, the rim is cool and often misty in the early morning.

Good to know

The camp is cold at night in every season. Bring warm layers, and know that the tents provide extra warmth.
The nearest airstrip is at Manyara, around a two-hour drive. Lemala arranges your transfers.
Charging points are available in the lounge, bar and tents, with limited complimentary laundry.
One tent has two bedrooms. Ask us early if you want it for a family or group.

Gallery

Inside Ngorongoro Tented Camp

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