Ngorongoro | addictive-adventures

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The Ngorongoro conservation area (NCA) is a unique protected area in the whole of Africa. It was established in 1959 and covers an area of 8,300 square kilometers. The multiple land use philosophy in the area is to maintain the peaceful co-existence of human and wildlife in a natural and traditional setting. Pastoralism conducted by the Maasai tribe, conservation of natural resources and tourism are the three main components that are given equal consideration. The main attraction is the Ngorongoro Crater, one of the seven natural wonders of Africa, covering 3% of the entire conservation area. It is the largest unbroken, un-flooded caldera in the world, formed when a towering volcano erupted and collapsed some three million years ago. The Ngorongoro crater has a depth of 600 meters, with a base area covering 256 square kilometers which stretches for 19 kilometers in diameter, and is home to some 30,000 different species of flora and fauna.

Apart from the main caldera, Ngorongoro also has two other volcanic craters namely Olmoti crater - famous for its spectacular waterfalls, and Empakai crater which at its base has an alkaline lake and its crater walls carpeted in primary indigenous montane forests. Other important features found in the NCA are the archaeological and palaeontological site located at Oldupai Gorge and the early human foot-prints that were discovered at Alaitole in Ngarusi area. Man and his ancestors have lived in the Ngorongoro eco-system for more than three million years. The NCA aims for the historic balance of people and nature in a way which has not been possible in many parts of the world. The NCA became a Man and Biosphere Reserve in 1971 and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979.

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

Guests can be forgiven for losing track of which era, or even continent, they are experiencing at &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge. Nowhere else on earth can you wake up among all the trappings of an elegant baroque chateau – brocade sofas, gilt mirrors, beaded chandeliers and panelled walls – and be instantly transported into one of the most famous African landscapes with just one glance out the window of the lodge. In this place of dramatic contrasts, where Versailles meets Maasai, anything is possible and the natural luxury of the breathtakingly beautiful setting ensures the dramatic interior of your suite blends perfectly with its stilted thatch architecture. Divided into three camps, 30 stilted suites with banana leaf ceilings and grass roofs provide an intimate and exclusive Crater experience. Each camp has its own sitting and dining areas, with private butlers who provide warm, personal service. Brocade sofas and Persian rugs invite you to re-live the day’s experiences around a roaring fire. The domed dining room, where sparkling silver and crystal vie for attention with the huge windows and awe-inspiring views.

Nestled high above the plains into the Crater’s jagged rim, cloaked in river stone and indigenous vines, Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge is barely visible to the naked eye. Framed by arched stone passages and timbered decks, its torch-lit walls are adorned with stylized cave paintings. At the stone heart of the lodge burns a glowing fire, which is kept constantly alight. Rooms are looped around the Crater rim. Each has its own rock-enclosed balcony, and all enjoy completely uninterrupted views of the volcanic Amphitheatre far below. The 74 guest rooms and one suite at Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge blend the almost indescribable beauty and magnitude of the Ngorongoro Crater with unparalleled standards for comfort and service. Interiors feature brass lamps, embossed leather headboards, wildwood mirrors, Maasai carvings and stylised cave paintings. The guest experience is enhanced with modern comforts like complimentary wireless Internet and 24-hour room service. With a private stone balcony opening onto the blue-green vastness of the Crater floor below, it’s like you’re living alone in the “cradle of mankind.” © Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge. Enquire for more

The Manor at Ngorongoro provides the perfect environment to relax and take in the outstanding natural beauty of its gardens and the coffee-bush laden hills. Located in the north west Tanzania and with its 9 luxurious cottages (18 Suites), family cottage, and magnificent main Manor House, is one of the first safari lodges of its kind to blend East African hospitality with old-world Afro-European architecture and decor. Located adjacent to the famous Ngorongoro conservation area and within a 1500-acre Arabica coffee estate, The Manor is reminiscent of an elegant up-country farm home in the Cape Dutch-style of architecture. Every detail of The Manor has been designed with its guests’ comfort in mind. Each of the cottages has been carefully positioned to maximise the views of the adjacent verdant hills but at the same time to maintain the intimacy and privacy of this old-world Manor home. And what better way to enjoy the Crater than in the knowledge that at the end of the day you will return to enjoy an incomparable dinner in The Manor’s restaurant followed by a deeply restful night in a cottage that has been designed both with your comfort solely in mind.

Gibb’s Farm awakens the senses in a nurturing, peaceful luxury inn environment, a unique and authentic experience based upon East African traditions and hospitality. Nestled beside the forested slopes of the Ngorongoro Crater, the gentle rhythms of Gibb’s Farm nurture and restore the tired, yet exhilarated traveler on safari to Tanzania. Step back in time to discover an uncommon experience with all of the modern amenities you’d expect from a luxury inn in Tanzania. You will discover an organic oasis, replete with natural beauty, healthful food and sustainable living. The oldest guest house in northern Tanzania, Gibbs Farm is committed to the well-being of their guests, community and natural environment.

Like a green oasis, The Plantation Lodge rests on the red-brown hills. The individually furnished rooms and suites melting harmoniously into the flowering garden offer comfort and relaxation. Everywhere you look, you can see and even feel the personal atmosphere of this owner-run lodge with furnishings that were selected with great attention to detail. The Plantation Lodge's cordial service leaves no wish unfulfilled. The lodge's location promises maximum safari enjoyment: a stone's throw from the entrance to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Lake Manyara national park, and just a short journey from the Tarangire national park and the Serengeti. © The Plantation Lodge. Enquire for more