Ngorongoro Lodge Meliá Collection

Our stay at the Melia Ngorongoro Crater was amazing. The lodge is perched on the rim of the crater, offering phenomenal panoramic views that are simply breathtaking. Waking up to that view every morning was a highlight in itself! The service was exceptional, with Nicholas, our butler, standing out for his attentiveness and warm hospitality in every interaction from the first to the last. The convenience of being able to reach him via WhatsApp made arranging everything from spa services to laundry super easy and stress-free. The Crater Suite we stayed in was absolutely gorgeous, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering jaw-dropping views of the crater. It felt luxurious and cozy, even when it got a bit chilly in the evenings. The lodge also provided great heating options, which made it all the more comfortable. The food overall was very good, with a nice variety of options. We thoroughly enjoyed our lunch on our full day game drive! If there was one area that could see a bit of improvement, it might be the breakfast selection, especially for those taking an early breakfast out on a drive. But that’s a minor note in an otherwise wonderful stay. Overall, we had a fantastic experience and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Melia Ngorongoro Crater for a wonderful and scenic safari stay.

Beautiful luxury hotel, magical location, unforgettable experience. The whole team made you feel at home - super friendly and attentive. Spending time on the property you could see animals close-up, like a Buffalo that came to say coucou. Stunning room (and bathtub !!), the heated pool is a must for the cooler temperatures, make sure to bring jumpers with you at night. The bush lunch is a dream - and descending into the crater is an incredible, yet nerve wracking experience with the steep path. Book into the Crater Grill for dinner - we had a delicious South African wine and locally sourced plates. The opera singer during the evening was an elegant touch at sunset. Stay for a few nights if you can to make sure you get the most out of this breathtaking historical part of Ngorongoro crater. We will forever remember these days ! Can’t wait to go back.

This hotel is truly special. Perched right on the crater’s edge, it offers breathtaking panoramic views into the Ngorongoro Crater. We absolutely loved our stay at the lodge. It was an unforgettable experience, and we fully intend to return one day. The service, food, and management/staff were all exceptionally attentive and welcoming. Helpful tips for future visitors: Location in a conservation area: The lodge is inside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which means all entries and exits are regulated. We experienced some delays entering and leaving, as well as on our day trip to the Serengeti. The process can be slow and bureaucratic, and all park gate arrangements must be coordinated by the hotel. We encountered some small administrative errors, so this is an area for improvement. To avoid issues, I recommend clearly sharing your full travel plans with the hotel in advance. For example, we arranged our own private transfer from Arusha, but because it wasn’t coordinated with the lodge, we faced some delays at the gate. If you do the same, ask the hotel to connect directly with your driver. Road conditions: The drive is smooth until you reach the Ngorongoro gate. After that, roads become rough and bumpy, so allow extra time for any transfers or connections. Weather: It gets surprisingly cold at the lodge, especially in the mornings and evenings. Pack a fleece or warm layers to stay comfortable. Safari recommendations: We did two full-day safaris. one inside the crater (photos attached) and one in the Serengeti and I highly recommend this combination. The crater is densely packed with wildlife, easily done in one day but is missing some species you can find in the Serengeti. By contrast, the Serengeti is vast, with a wider range of animals. The drive from the lodge to the Serengeti gate takes about two to three hours each way, so plan accordingly.