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Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is perched on the edge of the
world-famous
Ngorongoro Crater at
the south-eastern
edge of the
Serengeti in
northern Tanzania.
It lies within the
Ngorongoro
Conservation Area,
which covers more
than 8000 square
kilometers (3100
square miles) of
pristine African
wilderness. Inspired
in design by the
Maasai mud-and-stick
manyatta
(homestead),
Ngorongoro Crater
Lodge is without
doubt one of the
most architecturally
spectacular safari
lodges in Africa.
Nearly three million
years old, the
ancient caldera of
the once-volcanic
Ngorongoro shelters
one of the most
beautiful wildlife
havens on earth,
ringed with towering
walls and sheltering
forests, grasslands,
fresh springs and a
large soda lake.
Nearby Olduvai Gorge
- a famous early
archaeological site
- is situated to the
west of the Crater
in the eastern
Serengeti Plains. In
the Ngorongoro
Conservation Area,
42000 Maasai live
and herd their
livestock in harmony
with Africa's wild
animals.
Steeped in romance,
each mud and thatch
suite is reminiscent
of a bygone era,
with the stilted,
handcrafted
structures adorned
in graceful
antiques, grand
chandeliers and
African treasures.
The bedroom, sitting
room and en suite
bathroom boast
floor-to-ceiling
glass windows,
overlooking the
magnificent Crater
below. Your personal
butler will
discreetly tend to
your every need,
bringing you tea in
bed, stoking your
fireplace and
drawing your bath.
Described as Maasai
meets Versailles,
each extraordinary
camp operates
independently with
its own central
living and dining
areas and viewing
decks. Early
settler-style
interiors combine
silver, gold and
ruby colours under
banana-leaf ceilings
and grass roofs.
Beaded chandeliers
hang above large
gilt mirrors, and
antiques, plump
cushions, voluptuous
raw silk curtains
and leather-backed
chairs blend
harmoniously with
African art
elements.
The domed dining
room, with its
fireplace, crystal,
silver and massive
wooden platters,
makes every meal a
special occasion.
Delicious
Pan-African cuisine
may also be enjoyed
on the outdoor
dining deck. |
