An upscale lodge with forest views in the eastern quadrant of the Ngorongoro Crater
Lounge and bar area, viewing deck, fire-pit, spa, and heated indoor pool
Sixteen standard guest suites and two two-bedroom suites spaced well apart for maximum privacy
Game drives, Maasai-guided nature walks, crater floor bush lunch, and visits to a Maasai boma
Activities are centred on game drives within the Ngorongoro Crater, during daytime hours.
Either shared or booked on an exclusive basis, morning and evening game drives take place in fully kitted-out 4×4 Land Cruiser vehicles and are led by expert guides. The key advantage of staying on this quiet eastern side of the crater wall is the quick drive down to the crater floor in the mornings. This means guests have an hour’s headstart over those using the busier Seneto crater access road on the western rim. Crammed full of wildlife that remains in the crater throughout the year, Ngorongoro supports an abundance of animal species, including rhino, leopard, lion, elephant, and cheetah, while thousands of lesser flamingos congregate on the shores of alkaline Lake Magadi.
Safari walks are tailored to guests’ specific interests, whether cultural elements, birding, or learning about plants and their medicinal properties. This is a chance to connect with the land in the company of a truly knowledgeable local guide.
A unique private dining experience awaits, with a table set up for lunch in a special location on the crater floor. This experience allows guests to spend the entire day exploring the wilderness uninterrupted.
The boma is a traditional homestead and an important cultural trademark for the Maasai people. This experience provides a lens into Maasai traditions and includes a question-and-answer session with the Chief.
*This property is unfenced and located in a wildlife area, so large and potentially dangerous animals do pass through. If you opt to stay here, always be alert when walking around the camp and request for a member of staff to escort you if you have any concerns. Any guest is escorted after dark as a matter of course.
Lemala Osonjoi is located close to the Lemala Gate in the quieter eastern quadrant of the Ngorongoro Crater. The world’s biggest intact volcanic caldera and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ngorongoro is one of Africa’s greatest natural phenomena, boasting an extraordinary concentration of wildlife all year round and a diverse range of landscapes. Access to the lodge is by road, approximately 2 hours from the Manyara airstrip.
The lounge and bar area is an ideal place to congregate before dinner, and guests can also gather outside on the viewing deck by the roaring open fire.
A communal indoor pool is heated by solar panels and features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the forested setting. The lodge also has a separate spa suite, which feels wonderfully secluded and is surrounded by nature.
Accommodation at Lemala Osonjoi consists of 16 standard suites as well as two 2-bedroom suites, which are ideal for families or groups of friends.
Light-filled and contemporary in style, featuring soft, neutral tones, each suite has a separate living room with a ‘secret’ nook designed for guests to unwind after a day out on safari. Each oversized bathroom comes complete with indoor and outdoor showers, and a free-standing bathtub. Slow-burning log stoves, using sustainably sourced firewood, provide comfort through the chill of the high-altitude Ngorongoro evenings. Guests are also indulged with warm winter-weight duvets and hot water bottles. The suites are designed to blend into the surrounding local forest, with huge windows bringing the verdant landscape inside while offering picturesque views of the landscape.
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