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As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ngorongoro Crater is one of the most popular destinations within northern Tanzania’s safari circuit. Offering a truly unique game viewing experience, the appeal of this destination comes as no surprise. However, a stay at The Highlands will further enhance your experience to beyond the Crater.
If you look at a map of northern Tanzania, tracing the road from Arusha to the southern Serengeti, you pass through the town of Karatu, and ascend the outer walls of the Ngorongoro Crater to arrive at the viewpoint, which offers a stunning vantage point across the expanse of the crater interior. Heading in a clockwise direction around the crater rim, this section of road runs for just a short 90-degree arc, before heading in a north-westerly direction away from the crater towards the Serengeti. Along this short stretch is where most lodges on the crater rim are clustered, making it a particularly busy area, especially in the mornings when the many vehicles jostle for position on the descent road to the crater floor.
The road less travelled
If, however, you were instead to turn right at the viewpoint and head around the crater rim in an anti-clockwise direction, you would pass by significantly fewer lodges before arriving at the eastern descent road. With fewer lodges on this side of the crater rim, there are considerably fewer vehicles making use of the descent road onto the crater floor, resulting in a more exclusive game drive experience. From this northeastern corner of the crater rim, the road continues in a northerly direction, away from the Ngorongoro Crater, taking you through rolling grasslands interspersed with Maasai communities and small schools where children run alongside the vehicle, waving and calling as you pass. Herders, wrapped in their iconic red patterned Maasai Shuka tend to sheep and goats amidst the grasslands, while a sea of green landscape surrounds you in all directions. This is the road to The Highlands.
The road circumnavigates the base of the extinct Olmoti Volcano, which rises on your left-hand side, emerging into camp on the forested northern slopes of the crater walls. The views from camp stretch over grasslands and Maasai communities, to the Gol Mountains and the southeastern plains of the Serengeti. And, with no other camps in the surrounding area, The Highlands provides an incredibly rich and immersive experience, offering so much more than simply game drives in the Ngorongoro Crater, taking you closer to the land and people of this very special region.
Olmoti Crater
Located on the lower slopes of Olmoti, the thickly forested walls of the extinct volcano rise behind The Highlands. There’s a short 20-minute drive to Nainokanoka on the eastern side of the volcano, where you’ll meet your Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) ranger and begin your walk. The climb follows an ancient Maasai cattle trail up a gentle ascent through mountain forest, grassland, and rocky outcrops and, although a fairly short hike of just 1 – 2 hours (return), the area offers excellent birding and a staggering variety of vegetation. However, it is the views from the summit that are truly breathtaking.
“The culmination of the hike, reaching the crater’s summit, left me speechless as I witnessed the breathtaking vistas that stretched before me.” – Nikita Holtzhauzen, Guest of The Highlands
There is also the option to extend your hike and descend into the Olmoti Crater to enjoy a beautiful waterfall that flows into the crater. This is arguably the perfect location to take the opportunity to simply sit in nature, soaking up your surroundings and appreciating the moment. Surrounded by remarkable scenery, accompanied by the sound of the waterfall, here is the space to breathe in nature and feel the wild energy flowing.
“There is it is, the wild energy flowing, pushing us always, to feel closer.” – “Spirited”, Hellen Bulugu
The Highlands also provides the opportunity to step out of your vehicle and explore on foot, something that makes your stay at this camp so unique. The Ngorongoro Crater game drive that can be enjoyed from any lodge in the surrounding area is still there, but the additional layers of experience that The Highlands allows you to enjoy is what makes this camp special.
Empakaai Crater
Northeast of The Highlands, the Empakaai Crater provides another unique walking opportunity. The drive from camp takes just over an hour, arriving on the crater rim where you’ll meet your NCA ranger who will accompany your walk. Unlike Olmoti, where your walk begins at the base, the Empakaai walk begins at the top, from where you descend the inner walls of the crater through thick mountainous forest. The vegetation is home to an array of birds, butterflies, and insects, and occasionally even larger wildlife such as buffalo and elephant are seen. As the ground begins to level, signalling your arrival on the crater floor, the forest dissipates as you step out onto lush green grasses running towards the flamingo-lined lake. The landscape is staggeringly beautiful with steep cliffs surrounding the lake, the forest behind you, a thousand different shades of green, and the flashes of pink around the lake. There’s time to enjoy snacks and coffee on the crater floor, before tackling the return hike back up to the crater rim. After a slow walk to the top, and the drive back to camp, it’s usually around 13h00 by the time you arrive back in camp, perfect timing to settle in for a delicious lunch before enjoying some time to relax in the afternoon.
The Asilia Spa
The Asilia Spa and barrel sauna are another favourite feature of The Highlands. Offering a variety of massages and body scrubs, manicures and pedicures, the spa will be sure to ease away any tension or muscle ache with just an hour or two of self-care. For an extra level of detox, spend some time in the barrel sauna, booked on a private use basis and offering a wonderful contrast to the cool climate of The Highlands. If the outside temperature isn’t enough to reduce your heat levels and you’re feeling brave, the bucket of cold water hanging outside the sauna will be sure to do the trick.
Cultural Visit
In the late afternoon, there is the option to walk or drive to the neighbouring Maasai community. Accompanied by a member of staff and a Maasai guide, this experience brings you closer to the people and cultures of East Africa, providing a glimpse into a completely different way of life and an understanding of what it means to be Maasai. Your guide will act as an interpreter, teaching you traditional greetings and customary signs of respect towards the elders. This interaction provides genuine and authentic insight, whilst avoiding a sense of being invasive, through a carefully balanced and maintained relationship with the community.
“Witnessing their harmonious way of life, marked by diligence and grace in their roles, filled me with humility and admiration.” – Nikita Holtzhauzen, Guest of The Highlands
The Ngorongoro Crater is a key feature in northern Tanzania’s safari circuit, and with good reason. However, there is so much more to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area than just the crater. The rolling green grasslands, forested mountain slopes, pink-lined lakes, and warm Maasai smiles are all accessible to those who venture beyond the beaten path, off the well-trodden track, and into The Highlands.
Step off the beaten path and start planning your visit to The Highlands.
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