&Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge – The perfect 3 night safari

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Day 1

At around midday, as your flight lands on the Manyara airstrip, you will be warmly welcomed by your &Beyond guide.  You set out on your 45 minute drive to the Ngorongoro Crater Conservancy gate, passing through a few local towns.  The scenic 45 minute drive up to the Crater rim includes a stop at the Crater View point, your first breathtaking glimpse of the 265 square kilometres Crater floor.

As you approach the lodge, the Ngorongoro Crater family will greet you with song, warm smiles, the Crater Special (consisting of chunks of apples in an orange juice, tonic and ginger beer cocktail) and a hot face cloth. A delicious lunch will be waiting on the viewing deck, where you can enjoy a leisurely meal with a panoramic view of the Crater floor.  After lunch, your butler will escort you to your private suite, overlooking the Crater. Once you have settled in and freshened up, you will meet your guide.  After a full orientation, you will depart for your afternoon game drive adventure to the Crater floor.

As you start your descent into the Crater floor, the beauty unfolds.  Be sure to look out for special sightings including black rhino, crested cranes, flamingos, big tusk elephants and large herds of buffalo.  Take a moment and absorb the uniqueness of driving in a caldera.
As you arrive back at the Camp, a steaming hot bubble bath awaits you. Come and join us for pre dinner drinks in front of the fire place in our magnificent lounge.  This is a great time to mingle and meet the other guests.

Once ready for dinner, the Crater chef will do a personal menu presentation at your table.  Enjoy your meal which is complemented by carefully selected African wines. For the sweet tooth, enjoy some treats, served with tea or coffee, or enjoy some cognac and cigars around the fire. You will then be guided safely back to your suite, rest well as the following day is packed with adventure.

Day 2

Wake up to the aroma of freshly brewed coffee the next morning, delivered to your room for you to enjoy peacefully.  Enjoy a healthy breakfast prior to departing on your morning game drive. Take in the early morning sights and sounds of the Crater.

Following an adventures morning, come and enjoy the ultimate lunch – a hot lunch set up in a private site on the crater floor.  A warm welcome by your butler is only the beginning of this unforgettable lunch experience with roses, crystal glasses filled with champagne and a delicious lunch selection prepared just for you.

Continue on your afternoon game drive before returning to Camp, where a butler is welcoming you back with your favourite drink and welcome towels.  Relax the rest of the afternoon and enjoy a hot bath.

Sip on a gin and tonic and enjoy some snacks as you share highlights of the day, before enjoying a carefully prepared dinner. With the taste of decadent desserts still lingering in your mouth, you return to your suite for a peaceful nights rest.

Day 3

Another African day awaits, as you enjoy a cup of freshly brewed coffee in your room.  Following a hot Crater breakfast, you depart for a full day excursion to the archaeological site of Oldapai Gorge and the Shifting Sands.  On route you make a stop at a Masaai village, enjoying some traditional Masaai song and dance.  You will also have the opportunity to meet the people and buy some local crafts.

The journey continues to the Oldapai Gorge which was formed about 2 million years ago.  The gorge is about 50km long, stretching from Lake Ndutu to Olbalbal Depression, and about 70m deep.  The archaeological records cover about four million years, and about 7 000 extinct animal species have been unearthed.  There were also about 60 different finds of hominid remains.  After viewing this archaeological phenomena, guests enjoy the short drive to the Shifting Sands.

Whilst enjoying a picnic lunch, guests can view these dunes which are accumulated volcanic ash from the active volcano, Oldoinyo Lengai (meaning ‘Mountain of God’).  The strong north-westerly winds move the dunes an average of about 17m each year.
Whilst enjoying the scenic drive back to the Crater, you can look out for giraffe, herds of wildebeest and zebra.

Enjoy the ultimate sundowner drinks with a view of the Crater on the one side and the Serengeti on the other side.  Savour the moment as you snack away on some hot treats.

Return to camp, finding a Crater room surprise just for you.

Day 4

Wake up to the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, watching the sun rise across the Crater rim.

Enjoy the Crater special breakfast, followed by a leisurely stroll around camp.  You are welcome to pick up some souvenirs at the Safari Shop before your departure.

Savour your specially packed kitchen delight while on your journey to the next destination.  We hope you will leave with the Crater with unforgettable memories, longing to return to repeat the experience in the not too distant future, and perhaps experience the majestic crater in a different season.