Skip to content
Lemala Safaris: honey badger crossing golden hills
Covered lounge terrace at Ngorongoro Lion's Paw overlooking the forested highlands

Ridge collection · Ngorongoro Crater

Ngorongoro Lion's Paw

A forest-edge lodge with balcony cottages and a short run to the crater road

Ask on WhatsApp
Collection
Ridge · Mid-range to upper mid-range
Destination
Ngorongoro Crater
Area
Karatu, Ngorongoro Highlands
Style
Highland timber lodge
Best months
Jan, Feb, Mar, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

About Ngorongoro Lion's Paw

Ngorongoro Lion's Paw is a mid-range lodge in the Karatu highlands, chosen above all for its position. It sits close to the road that drops into the crater, so early starts feel less punishing and you can be among the first vehicles heading down at first light.

The look is timber and wood, with polished decks, lamp posts and acacia trees around the bar. A covered lounge terrace faces the forested highlands, a pleasant spot for a drink once you are back from the crater, with soft light settling over the trees.

Guests sleep in cottages with private balconies, so the setting is part of the stay rather than something you glimpse from a window. It is a straightforward, comfortable base for travellers who value convenience for game drives and still want a bit of character in the evening.

  • Close to the crater road, so game drives start early
  • Covered lounge terrace overlooking the forested highlands
  • Timber deck and bar set among acacia trees
  • Cottages with private balconies facing the trees
  • Canopy-bed rooms with en-suite bathrooms and private balconies
  • Polished wooden deck and walkways lit by lamp posts

Setting

The lodge stands in the Karatu highlands, among forest and acacia trees. Wooden decks and walkways connect the lounge, bar and cottages, and lamp posts light the paths after dark. Cool highland air and green views set the mood, quite different from the open plains of the Serengeti. Mornings can start misty and brisk, then warm up quickly once the sun clears the trees.

Rooms and tents

Rooms are en-suite and sit in cottages with private balconies. Photographs show canopy beds and a balcony outlook across the highlands, giving the rooms a comfortable, slightly romantic feel. The finish is timber-led and warm, in keeping with the lodge's mid-range character. Tell us if you need twin beds, a double or a family arrangement and we will confirm the options with the lodge.

Dining

The full-service restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the bar on the timber deck is a natural meeting point at the end of the day. Because crater trips often begin early, ask us about packed breakfasts or picnic lunches. Meal times can be adjusted around your game drive schedule. Let us know about dietary needs before you arrive.

Things to do from here

  • Early-morning game drives into Ngorongoro Crater
  • Sundowner drinks on the covered lounge terrace
  • Relaxed evenings at the deck bar
  • Birdwatching from the balcony or deck
  • Visits to Olduvai Gorge or Lake Magadi on crater days

When to stay

Ngorongoro is at its best from June to October, when the dry season keeps roads firm and wildlife easier to spot, and again in January to March. The long rains, roughly March to May, turn the highlands lush and quiet, with showers often arriving in the afternoons. Short rains usually fall in November and December. Because the lodge is in the highlands, temperatures stay moderate, and early mornings are cool in every season.

Good to know

  • Highland nights can be chilly, so bring warm layers for early crater descents and evenings on the deck.
  • Lemala arranges your crater permits, vehicle and transfers. Ask us how the day is likely to run.
  • Wildlife is wild, and crater sightings cannot be promised, though the floor is known for dense game.

Gallery

Inside Ngorongoro Lion's Paw

On these itineraries

Trips that include Ngorongoro Lion's Paw

More partner stays

Other stays in Ngorongoro Crater

See all partner stays

Stay at Ngorongoro Lion's Paw

Tell us your dates, group and budget, and we will build the trip around this stay.