While Africa is a great place to experience wild safaris and mind-blowing landscapes, this land can also offer luxurious vacations for the picky ones. One of the most luxurious and unique hotels in Africa is called Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, and it’s located in Tanzania.
The hotel is not too far away from the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Crater is the most popular attraction nearby. It’s an exceptional phenomenon and bears the honor of being the largest unbroken un-flooded caldera in the world. It’s often called the 8th wonder of the world.
Looking for other interesting sites? Try Olduvai Gorge. You can actually find treasure while walking but … but an archaeological kind of treasure. This is where a skeleton aged 1.8 million years was found!
If you want more colors, visit the beautiful lake nearby, which often becomes a meeting place for hundreds of flamingos. This safari lodge is an ideal choice for those who’re looking for an eco-friendly hotel and a first-hand adventure.
Another great experience for the lodge guests is exciting meeting with the Maasai people, an ethnic tribe that lives not too far away. The Maasai people have preserved their traditions, living in groups, dressed in bright red and colorful jewelry. However, they are already accustomed to being a tourist destination for fans of exotic cultures. Some of their members speak English and will gladly have a small tour and introductory talk. Some of their traditions are nothing like you’ve every heard of. For instance, the members of the tribe that die are left in the wilderness for the animals to feed upon. Moreover, if the animals ignore the corpse, it can greatly damage the social status of that person even after his death. These peculiarities are very different from the Western values, so be prepared to hear information that will make your jaw drop.
If you’re planning a budget trip, this might not be a good option for you. The lodge is one of the most expensive hotels in Africa. In the meantime, you can be sure that every single penny will be worth your stay! The staff is always very attentive, guests are treated with the best possible service.
The hotel consists of 30 individual lodges called “manyattas.” The rooms are spacious, luxurious, sometimes they might contain things you’ll never need, but, still, their presence makes you feel like a king or queen.
The lodge reception is great and helping, ready to design excursions and trips for you. You’ll hardly manage to handle all trip arrangements by yourself, so their help will be more than necessary. Also, as the area is populated by wild animals, it’s recommended to consult the staff before heading out on a hiking trip.
The lodge design is unique too. Each one of them looks like a hut you’d find in an African tribe settlement, but there surprises await you inside; the colonial African design is combined with European comfort. The main interior colors include gold, silver, and red. The roofs are covered either with banana leaves or grass.
However, be extremely careful not to wake up with a cheetah in your bad, as the lodges are not fenced. While there is a very little chance you’ll get in a big trouble, it’s still Africa, and in Africa you can’t run away from nature.
