Nestled beside the entrance to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Neptune Ngorongoro is the gateway to a lush haven where wildebeests and zebras, along with their predators, begin their epic migration into the Serengeti-Maasai Mara ecosystem. A short, winding drive from the gate takes you to the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater—one of the most exhilarating drives on earth. From its peak, you can gaze down upon 100 pristine square miles of former lava lake, now a serene grassland and forest, home to over 25,000 large mammals. Descend a few thousand feet to the caldera’s floor and prepare for the spectacle of a lifetime.
Boarder Ngorongoro Crater
50
20
En-suite bathrooms
Not allowed
Non-Smocking Rooms
One of the safari’s often overlooked charms is its ability to slow us down, reintroduce us to creative idleness, and enhance our sense of repose. Neptune Ngorongoro is exceptional in this regard. Its 20 charming, unusually spacious log cabins are subtly decorated, fully modern yet charmingly simple. Each features a large veranda and a well-tended fireplace, capturing the essence of a classic safari ambiance.
The Earth & Rain Spa and the Lodge’s swimming pool are excellent sources of relaxation, while the restaurant, renowned for its creative and exceptionally well-curated menu, offers another perfect spot to unwind and share stories of wildlife encounters and stunning landscapes.
We hold Neptune Ngorongoro in high regard, not only for its beautiful location and lovely log cabins but especially for the attentiveness and cheerfulness of its staff. Even in East Africa, where excellent service and genuine care are the norm, Neptune Ngorongoro stands out. We often emphasize this on our website and in all our publications. After more than 50 years of safari experience, we have learned that while we come to Africa to see its animals, we fall in love with its people.
Amenities & In-Room Amenities at Neptune Ngorongoro Luxury Lodge
Describing the Ngorongoro Crater as one-of-a-kind almost feels redundant. Nothing in the known universe parallels its magnificence. Following a bountiful Neptune breakfast, we embark on a journey with our Bush 2 City Adventure Safari Guide, ascending to this unparalleled wonderland.
This is the Africa Peter Matthiessen so eloquently captured in The Tree Where Man Was Born. He described it as “a glimpse of the earth’s morning [that gives] a sense of origins, of innocence and mystery, like a marvelous childhood facility restored.”
In these pages, I wish to acknowledge the elephants, moving together “like black stone sculptures of the four major prophets,” as seen through the eyes of Isak Dinesen, and the giraffes, floating by with their “queer, inimitable, vegetative gracefulness.” To the lions basking in their unrivaled realm, the Cape buffalo grazing attentively—each as nimble as they are massive—and the cheetahs, ever ready for a sprint, coiled like sentient springs, I owe my deepest appreciation.
I am equally in awe of the elusive leopards, the throngs of wildebeest—an almost comical assembly of spare parts—and the massive, dainty, harrumphing hippos. These creatures, often seen on screens, are almost beyond belief when witnessed in reality. Matthiessen pondered, “How did the hippopotamus find its way up into the Crater Highlands, to blunder into the waters of Ngorongoro?” Today, they are seen there with wonder, encircled by steep walls.
To the natural world of the Ngorongoro Crater and all its inhabitants, thank you for restoring our sense of origins, innocence, and mystery.
Perched on the sparkling shores of Lake Mutanda, Chameleon Hill Lodge is a vibrant and distinctive retreat offering sweeping vistas of the Virunga Volcanoes. Celebrated for its colorful design and attentive hospitality, the lodge provides a lively yet elegant base for gorilla trekking, lake excursions, and exploring the rich diversity of Uganda’s landscapes.
Set in the vibrant heart of Kigali, Kigali Serena Hotel offers refined five-star luxury surrounded by lush gardens. Ideal before or after your safari, it features elegant rooms, exceptional dining, and tranquil amenities—creating a seamless and sophisticated start or finish to your East African journey.
Unwind by the tropical pool or indulge at the Maisha Spa, where treatments such as hot stone massages and botanical wraps provide a true sense of escape. Dining is equally elevated, with Rwandan specialties and international cuisine served in an elegant, refined setting.
Venture into the heart of Tarangire National Park, where the ancient baobab trees stand sentinel over a land teeming with life. Tarangire Ndovu Tented Lodge offers an intimate and luxurious base camp for your safari adventure, perfectly positioned for you to witness the spectacular migrations of elephants for which the park is famous.
From the comfort of your spacious, elevated tent, you can watch as these gentle giants and other wildlife traverse the landscape. Each tent is a private sanctuary, featuring a furnished deck that provides a front-row seat to the daily dramas of the bush. After a thrilling game drive, cool off in the rim-flow swimming pool while keeping an eye out for elephants and other animals at a nearby waterhole.
As dusk settles, gather with fellow adventurers around the campfire, sharing stories under a sky ablaze with stars. Indulge in exquisite meals prepared with fresh, local ingredients, and let the sounds of the African night serenade you. With opportunities for day and night game drives, bush walks, and cultural visits, Tarangire Ndovu Tented Lodge promises an unforgettable and authentic safari experience that will leave a lasting impression.
