The Manor at Ngorongoro
The Manor at Ngorongoro, The Manor at Ngorongoro is a luxurious property owned and run by Elewana, a luxury hospitality company with 16 boutique camps, lodges, and hotels in Tanzania and Kenya. Its Cape Dutch-style design allows you to step back in time to an age of grandeur.
The Manor is situated in a private 1500-acre Arabica coffee estate in Karatu. It’s adjacent to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and within easy reach of Lake Manyara. You can make the Manor your absolute base for your Northern Circuit safari.
Why Stay at the Manor at Ngorongoro
Access to safari parks.
The Manor is very close to thriving wildlife destinations, including the Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara. Both are home to a variety of wildlife species, ranging from big game to small ones. Manyara is best known for its tree-climbing lions (or tree-lounging lions) and flocks of pink flamingos on the shores.
The Ngorongoro Crater also hosts many big game, such as lions, leopards, buffalo, elephants, and black rhinos. These animals make the bucket list of many safari-goers, and ticking them off is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Impalas, cheetahs, hyenas, jackals, wildebeest, zebras, Grant’s gazelles, dik-diks, Thomson gazelles, and warthogs are also present in the crater.
Apart from the crater and Manyara, the Manor can also be your base for your safari to Tarangire, Lake Eyasi, Karatu, and the Hadzabe.
Old-world design.
The Manor’s Cape Dutch-style decor takes you back to an age of grandeur: when the Dutch ruled southern Africa. And the lodge lives that style (except that there’s no exploitation). Staying here feels like traveling back in time to when the Dutch built colonial mansions in their colonies.
The design alone is unique enough to make your stay enjoyable. The decor is perfectly designed to evoke the timeless look of the wilderness. Meals are served in style, in the common dining area or in a private cottage—you decide. And you can enjoy your favorite dish outdoors—on the crater floor or in the estate.
Luxurious stay.
The Manor offers high-end stays in the Ngorongoro Highlands. The lodge sits in its private Shangri-La estate. No interruptions from other guests. The spacious, luxurious family cottages allow families of all kinds to unwind. There’s more space for little ones to play. In short, it’s a home away from home.
Each of the cottages has en suite bathrooms, private decks, and indoor and outdoor fireplaces. In those lazy afternoon hours, you can soak in turquoise waters while enjoying the views of the highlands or relax and unwind in a sauna and steam room. If you love books, a library stocked with many books awaits you.
Activities Available at the Manor at Ngorongoro
A drive to Lake Manyara
Set off for Manyara, where you’ll have the opportunity to see the unique tree-lounging lions. These rare lions, which are only available in Manyara National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park, are often spotted napping on acacia branches.
In addition to that, Manyara boasts the highest concentration of baboons in its groundwater forests. The soda lake (Manyara) takes about 75% of the park’s total area and is home to the beautiful pink flamingos, crocodiles, and hippos in the marshes. Other animals include elephants, giraffes, zebras, and buffalo.
A drive to the Ngorongoro Crater
Descend into the world’s eighth wonder and the world’s largest intact caldera—the Ngorongoro Crater. This 264-square-kilometer bowl is home to over 25,000 large animals. Drive through its zig-zag trails to stand a chance to view the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and black rhino.
Our guests often ask, “I can’t see giraffes in this crater yet.” Of course, this wildlife-rich caldera doesn’t host giraffes. Why? Our expert guide says, “It’s hard for these long-legged mammals to navigate the steep-sloped crater rims.” However, you will see many other animals.
Guided estate walks.
With a lodge staff member, you can walk through the manor’s private estate. This slow, insightful walk makes you see small creatures that you wouldn’t see from the height of a safari van.
A guided walk allows you to explore nature the old way. Only the Maasai are allowed to walk on the Ngorongoro Crater floor. So, this is a unique opportunity to step into the Ngorongoro Highlands.
Best Time to Stay at the Manor at Ngorongoro
The Manor is open year-round. However, June through October is the best time for a wildlife safari due to clear skies, accessible roads, and high wildlife visibility at water sources. The downsides of traveling during this period include high traffic and high prices.
If you are more concerned by traffic and prices, here’s our advice. Avoid peak seasons, June to September, and December to January. Instead, plan your travel between October and November, when most visitors have left parks, and between February and May, when traffic is at its all-time low.
The Manor offers discounted rates from Jan 4 through March 31 and from April 1 through May 31. That saves you money while not compromising luxury and comfort.
Accommodation & Facilities
Suites: The Manor has 18 cottages, each with a private entrance and adjoining sun terrace. The cottages can host solo travelers and families of all kinds.
Amenities: A Victorian bath, rain shower, fireplace, formal dining room, private deck for each room, in-room hair dryers, Wi-Fi, sauna, swimming pool, family lounge area, and 24/7 power.
Restaurant & Bar: The lodge has its own wine cellar, a fully stocked bar, and a restaurant where delicious meals, inspired by local and international cuisines, are cooked.
Let’s plan your stay today
At Explore African Safaris, we make every journey an epic tale. We will handle everything from flights to lodge check-ins if you book with us. Throughout your safari, you will stay in trustworthy accommodations like the Manor at Ngorongoro. Email us at info@exploreafricansafaris.com to start your plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Manor at Ngorongoro family-friendly?
Yes, The Manor welcomes families. Its family cottages can cater for families and groups. It also has a safe setting for little ones, and there are many child-friendly activities, including guided estate walks and excursions to Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater.
How far in advance should I book?
For peak season (June to October and late December through January), book 3-6 months in advance to secure preferred dates and cottage types, especially for larger groups and honeymoon stays.
Is The Manor at Ngorongoro a luxury lodge?
Yes. The Manor combines its strategic location with old-world Cape Dutch architecture, high-quality amenities, attentive service, gourmet dining, and easy access to major safari destinations.
What wildlife can I expect to see from the Manor at Ngorongoro?
At The Manor, you can see big game like the Big Five in the Ngorongoro Crater and tree-climbing lions in Lake Manyara.
