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Lemala Osonjoi

  • AN UPSCALE LODGE WITH FOREST VIEWS IN THE EASTERN QUADRANT OF THE NGORONGORO CRATER
  • TOTAL OF 16 STANDARD GUEST SUITES AND TWO 2-BEDROOM SUITES SPACED WELL APART FOR MAXIMUM PRIVACY
  • COMFORTABLE LOUNGE AND BAR AREA, VIEWING DECK, FIRE-PIT, SPA, HEATED INDOOR POOL
  • GAME DRIVES, MAASAI-GUIDED NATURE WALKS, CRATER FLOOR BUSH LUNCH, VISITS TO A MAASAI BOMA
When To Visit Lemala Osonjoi:
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“Lemala Osonjoi brings an elevated level of luxury to the crater rim. Whilst it hasn’t yet opened, we expect big things from this camp, as it offers great value when combined with other camps in the Lemala portfolio and is ideal for travellers seeking more polished luxury.”

OVERVIEW:

Lemala Osonjoi is an upscale hillside lodge in the wildlife-dense Ngorongoro Crater area. It completes Lemala’s circuit of northern Tanzania properties, which includes Hamerkop House in Arusha and Mpingo Ridge in Tarangire National Park. Conveniently located close to the Lemala Gate, the easy drive down to the crater floor is one of its highlights, making it ideal for photographers wanting to catch the early morning light. With an incredible concentration of non-migrating wildlife, Ngorongoro guarantees some of the most impressive wildlife sightings on the continent, even during the lower-season months. Rates are on a full-board basis, inclusive of accommodation, meals, house drinks, Wi-Fi, and laundry.

ACCESS & LOCATION:

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.

ACCOMMODATION & FACILITIES AT LEMALA OSONJOI:

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.

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. 

ACTIVITIES AT LEMALA OSONJOI:

Activities are centered on game drives within the Ngorongoro Crater, during daytime hours.

  • Expertly guided game drives

    – 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.
  • Guided nature walks with the Maasai

    – 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.
  • Crater floor lunch

    – 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.
  • Maasai boma

    – 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.

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