Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp – A Luxury Camping Safari Experience

Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp is tucked amongst lush forests below giant Acacia trees on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. The lodge is just a 15-minute drive from the entrance gate to the million-year old crater.

While I stayed there, I would head out on early morning drives and was fortunate enough to spot the Big Five – lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffalos – often in a single day. 

In this article, I will review Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp and offer insights on what guests can expect during this luxurious camping safari experience. 

Let's get started.  

Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp Review

Spend evenings swapping safari stories with fellow guests around the fire or sip coffee in bed from the safety of your classic safari tent as elephants wander through the camp on cold mornings.

Guests can expect to pay $401 per person per day for a luxury tent at Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp. 

Sanctuary Ngorongoro will impress you with their luxury style of camping, boasting comfortable yet stylish facilities and dedication to personalised service. 

Read more in our guide to the best and most exclusive Ngorongoro Crater Hotels. 

Important Information about Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp

Here is some important information for guests to know about Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp.

Safety: This is a dangerous game area, so you may not walk around at night without an armed ranger.

Child Friendly: Yes, the campsite is child-friendly for children over the age of 6. Extra beds can be set up in the suites.

Services: Airstrip transfers, Laundry

Location at Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp

The camp is located in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area close to the main access road of the Ngorongoro Crater. Transfers are available from the Manyara airstrip.

Getting to Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp

The best ways to get to Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp are by road or by air. 

By road: Ngorongoro Crater Camp is 124 miles/200km from Arusha. This is about a 4.5 hour long drive.

By air: The closest airstrip to the campsite is the Manyara airstrip. From Manyara, there is a 2.5 hour drive to the conservation area gate, and then another 45min game drive to Crater Camp.

Nearby attractions to Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp

Guests have several options with nearby attractions where they can explore this idyllic landscape with excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.  

Ngorongoro Crater

The camp is 15 minutes away from the entrance to Ngorongoro Crater. This is one of the richest wildlife sites on earth where around 30 000 mammals live including wildebeest, zebras, warthogs, hyena, buffalos, lions, elephants and  rhinos.

Lake Magadi

An alkaline soda lake in the eastern part of the crater, Lake Magadi is a good destination for birders and is home to thousands of lesser flamingos.

Iirkeepusi Cultural Village

A Masai village up the road from the camp. Guided village tours are available on request.

Views from Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp

All of the communal areas and tented suites have views of the giant, vine-hung acacias and lush green scenery of the surrounding forest on the slopes of the Ngorongoro Crater.

Rooms at Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp

There are 10 tented suites of the same style and size at Sanctuary Ngorongoro. 

Interiors

The room interiors are elegantly furnished and decorated with white linen, draped netting and colour-bursts of yellows, reds and oranges across the room. Each room has a desk, plug points for charging electronics and a safe.

Classic Safari Tents

Each of the tented suites extends onto its own private patio furnished with two campaign chairs and a table where you can enjoy your morning coffee. Each tent has its own en-suite bathroom with hot running water. There are also electric blankets as it gets quite cold in the evenings and early mornings.

Perks of staying at Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp

Guests at Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp have access to some great perks during their stay.  

Long stay discount

Get up to 40% discount on rates when staying longer than 3 nights.

Close to the Crater floor

The location is perfect for early morning game drives in the crater. The lodge offers one long drive a day instead of two shorter ones.

Rhino Sightings

The Ngorongoro Crater floor is known as one of the most reliable places to see rhinos.

Amenities at Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp

There are three separate canvas tents that serve as communal areas. The camp, unfortunately, does not have a gym or spa facilities.

Communal Lounge area

There are 1 of 3 separate communal tents. It's furnished with comfortable sofas, wildlife artwork and even has some books. There is a fire pit nearby where guests gather to exchange safari stories over wine and snacks.

Lounge Bar

The lounge bar is a tented common area with a well-stocked bar where you can go for your favourite pre-dinner drink or cocktails. There is a comfortable sitting area of armchairs and couches. Black and white prints hang on the canvas walls and copper bowls create a subtle décor scheme.  

Other Amenities

The camp has an electricity supply and available WiFi.

Food and Dining at Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp

Guests have several food and dining options available to them during their stay at Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp. 

Dining Tent

The camp has an on-site restaurant with indoor dining as well as table settings on the outdoor wooden deck.

Private Set ups

For a more intimate dining experience, staff are happy to set up a private table somewhere around camp under the acacia trees.

Breakfast

French-press coffee is brought to your tent by the camp staff. Guests can enjoy a buffet style breakfast or take a packed breakfast with them for early morning drives.

Lunch

Guests can choose between a late lunch at the camp after an early morning drive or a packed lunch for a full day of game viewing.

Dinner

Appetizers followed by mains are served in the style of a tableside buffet with a variety of dessert options. Sanctuary Ngorongoro has great vegetarian dishes and wine pairing menus are available.

Room Service

Tea, coffee and cookies are delivered to your tent first thing in the morning. 

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed my Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp Review! Now's your chance to visit the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and enjoy the luxury camping safari experience of a lifetime.