Lemala Ngorongoro Tented Camp is located within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area on the quiet, eastern side of the crater rim, a short drive past the Lemala Gate. Set in a grove of red-thorn acacia trees, the camp has more of a bush feel than many camps in this area of Tanzania, with plenty of birdlife and frequent visits by buffalo and elephant at night. Although Lemala doesn't have direct views over the crater, it does have views – mist and clouds permitting – through the forests in the opposite direction.

Lemala Ngorongoro is situated close to the ‘Sopa’ descent road (closer, in fact, than the Sopa Lodge after which the road is named). This means guests can be among the first visitors to the crater floor in the morning.

Nine comfortable tents stretch out to the east of Lemala’s lounge and mess tent. All are en suite and are decorated in a similar style. Dark leather-covered beds have neutral white bedspreads and the tents are brightened up with splashes of red – in the cushions, throws and curtains – and light grey sofas at the foot of the beds are a cosy bonus.

While each tent can be equipped with either twin beds or a double, it is normally the tents closest to and furthest from the mess tent that have king-size beds, while the others are set up as twins. In addition, each tent has a small writing desk with a reading lamp, a leather director’s chair, and a couple of leather stands for luggage storage. A canvas screen separates the bedroom area from the bathroom, behind which is a spacious area with a table and a mirror, a storage unit for clothes, and a free-standing washstand with a brass basin. A flush toilet and shower are in separate cubicles.

Hot water for the basin and the shower is provided on request, but this doesn’t take long; we had hot showers within 15 minutes of asking. Snug bathrobes and fluffy white towels are provided (as are hot water bottles, which are tucked into your bed while you're at dinner). The wooden floors in the tents help to keep out the damp and cold and every tent has a gas heater that runs until 11.00pm; both are very welcome as the nights here, high up on the Ngorongoro Crater rim, are usually chilly. The tents benefit from 24-hour solar lighting, but there are no sockets for battery-charging; guests need to use the power points in the lounge tent.

Lemala Ngorongoro has a spacious, if rather dark mess tent, with a large dining table at one end that can seat up to 26 people. At the other end, the lounge area is floored with canvas and covered with a selection of grass mats and Persian-style rugs. The décor and furnishing here reflects that in the bedrooms: red highlights complement dark leather and light grey sofas. These are arranged around a large wooden coffee table, and cowhide-covered chests provide additional seating or tables. Striking animal portraits hang on the draped walls and a gas heater in the corner wards off the highland chill. A small library features books, magazines and a bao board (traditional board game) to keep guests entertained.

Between the two sections of the tent is an antique cabinet where drinks are available on a 'help yourself' basis (although you’ll pay extra for those on the top shelf). This main tent is also where you will find a multi-charging point and is the only part of the camp with WiFi. Outside the mess tent, a campfire surrounded by directors’ chairs is a popular place for guests to meet for pre-dinner drinks.

Activities at Lemala Ngorongoro depend on how you visit it. Most of our visitors will stay at Lemala Ngorongoro with their own private safari guide and 4WD; the camp doesn't have any of its own resident guides, but it is possible to fly in and have a guide waiting for you here.

The focus of most visits is the drives down into the Ngorongoro Crater. However, there's good walking nearby and a number of Maasai villages welcome visitors. If you want to do some walking here then let us know when you book your trip. We need to arrange for you to be escorted by a park ranger and you may also need a local Maasai guide.

Conservation Safari Company recommends Lemala  for  it's location, very convenient for getting into the crater as early as possible. While it lacks views of the crater floor, it’s a good spot to go walking amongst the forests and the hills of the crater rim, or to visit a Maasai village.

Rates include all meals, drinks and our quotes include crater descent and park/community fees and safari activities.