A historic lodge high up on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, reimagined with sleek, modern interiors
A lounge, bar, dining room, and terrace
Total of 18 deluxe rooms and a 2-bedroom deluxe suite, all with underfloor heating and private terraces
Game drives, Olduvai Gorge and Shifting Sand excursions
Laba Ngorongoro is an ideal base for private safaris, including descents to the Ngorongoro Crater floor for game drives, and Maasai cultural visits.
Expertly guided game drives, in customised electric Land Rovers, take you down to the Ngorongoro Crater floor, where grasslands, forest, and water sources support an astonishing wildlife population. Here, you’ll see huge herds of zebra, buffalo, wildebeest, and gazelles, perhaps with lion hot on their heels, as well as giant tusker elephants, wallowing hippo pods, and even critically endangered black rhino.
Often referred to as the ‘Cradle of Humankind’, Olduvai Gorge is a dramatic ravine that slices through the Great Rift Valley. Step back in time to the groundbreaking discoveries of world-renowned palaeontologists as you walk alongside an experienced guide, followed by a visit to the site’s museum to view ancient fossils and early hominin tools. Nearby, witness the remarkable Shifting Sands, crescent dunes of volcanic ash bound by high iron content that move across the plains as a single, cohesive unit. This is a truly mesmerising sight, a sacred landscape deeply revered by the Maasai.
Semi-nomadic Maasai communities live a traditional lifestyle around the Ngorongoro highlands. During a stay here, you could walk with Maasai herders, visit a local manyatta, and learn about cultural elements such as cattle herding and beadwork.
Laba Ngorongoro is located 2,200 meters above sea level on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. Guests will either take a private vehicle transfer from Arusha Airport or arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, followed by a domestic flight to Lake Manyara Airstrip, and then a 45-minute drive to the lodge.
The communal spaces at Laba Ngorongoro blend classic safari elements with a cool, contemporary edge, featuring vaulted wooden ceilings, herringbone hardwood floors, and floor-to-ceiling glass walls.
There’s an elegant dining room where individual tables, warm lighting, woven cane chairs, and potted palms set the tone. À la carte meals are served here, with a rotisserie and a selection of homemade desserts from the French pastry chef. The indoor lounge has a cosy fireplace with velvet armchairs, and there’s an atmospheric cocktail bar set against a tropical plant mural. Outside, the large terrace accommodates open-air lounging and dining, with spectacular views of the surrounding forest and mountains.
Laba Ngorongoro offers 18 Deluxe Rooms and a two-bedroom Deluxe Suite, with a contemporary-chic farmhouse style.
In a departure from traditional tented safari design, the interiors blend hand-painted botanical murals, exposed wooden beams, velvet throws, and leather swivel chairs. Each 50 square metre Deluxe Room has its own integrated lounge and an en-suite bathroom with a freestanding bathtub, twin basins, a walk-in shower, and underfloor heating. Climate controls include air conditioning and an electric stove, while floor-to-ceiling glass doors open onto a private terrace with panoramic views of the forest. In-room amenities include a well-stocked mini-bar, a Nespresso coffee machine, a kettle, an electronic safe, walkie-talkies, international and USB power sockets, and organic Healing Earth skincare products. The two-bedroom Deluxe Suite is 100 square metres and features a central entrance hall leading to two spacious bedrooms and two full en-suite bathrooms. The suite also has its own dressing room and a terrace.
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