Ngorongoro Forest Tented Lodge is a mid-range tented lodge located in the forested highlands near Karatu, en route to the Ngorongoro gate. Rooms here generally cost around $280–300 per night in high season, with low-season discounts dropping rates to about $165–180 (Mar–May). The lodge combines a rustic tented-camp atmosphere with the comforts of a permanent lodge structure, appealing to travelers who want to feel closer to nature without stepping into the luxury tier.

From a safari perspective, Forest Tented Lodge offers a slight logistical advantage over Karatu town lodges, as it sits closer to the Ngorongoro gate. Guests leaving around 6:15 am can often reach the crater rim within ~20 minutes, descending onto the crater floor shortly after 7:00 am.

While this still trails the dawn advantage of crater-rim lodges like Serena or Sopa, it shaves valuable minutes compared to Karatu-based properties like Marera or Farm of Dreams.

Compared with Lake Manyara Tortilis Camp (bushier feel but better for Manyara), Karatu Simba Lodge (eco-chalet style), and Ngorongoro Farm House (plantation charm), Ngorongoro Forest Tented Lodge offers a blend of natural setting and convenience.

Mysigio Camp is a secluded tented camp located on the edge of the Ngorongoro Highlands, offering a rustic yet comfortable base for exploring the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Known for its remote location and views of the surrounding mountains, Mysigio Camp provides an intimate safari experience in a serene natural setting.

Olduvai Camp is a rustic tented camp situated on the edge of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, offering a unique blend of cultural immersion and proximity to historical sites. With views over the Olduvai Gorge and the surrounding plains, this camp appeals to those seeking an authentic safari experience with a touch of history.

Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge is perched on the eastern rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, offering unparalleled views over the crater floor and a convenient location for early morning game drives. With its large windows, unique architectural style, and comfortable amenities, the lodge provides a scenic and relaxing retreat for travelers exploring this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge is an affordable lodge perched on the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater, providing breathtaking views over the crater floor. Built with natural stone and wood, the lodge blends seamlessly with its surroundings, offering guests a scenic and comfortable base from which to explore the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Crater’s Edge is a luxury lodge perched on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, offering guests one of the most dramatic safari settings in Africa. It’s designed for travelers who value exclusivity, breathtaking views, and quick access to the crater floor for game drives. With its elevated price point (typically $1,700–$1,800 per double in high season; around $1,000–$1,100 in low season), it caters primarily to couples, honeymooners, and seasoned safari-goers who want to maximize their time in the crater itself.

Comparisons: Within the luxury tier, Neptune Ngorongoro Luxury Lodge offers lodge-style comfort a short drive from the rim, while Lemala Ngorongoro Tented Camp provides a more rustic tented option just by the entry road. For those considering stepping up into the premium luxury tier, AndBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is often described as the “Versailles of Africa,” though at a significantly higher price point. Down a tier, Kitela Lodge in Karatu offers a more affordable base, but with longer transfer times.

Safari context: Being right on the rim means guests can descend into the crater before most others arrive from Karatu, giving them a head start on predator sightings in the cooler early mornings, when lions, hyenas, and even the rare black rhino are most active.

Simba A Campsite is located directly on the southern Ngorongoro crater rim. The tents are pitched directly on a meadow from where you have a breathtaking views of the Ngorongoro crater.

Simba A campsite has two dining areas, two kitchens and two sets of toilets. The campsite has well maintained and clean sanitary facilities but they are very basic. There are also hot water showers (heated by wood fires) and firewood for sale, if you are able to make it to the showers early enough.

Wild animals from the crater and Serengeti as far as from other part of Ngorongoro conservation Area frequently visit the campsite which is not fenced, so you should move with caution.

There are also plenty of plug points to recharge your electronic gadgets.

Simba A is the largest and most frequently used campsite in the area, due to its proximity to the Loduare gate where most tourists come from, and the crater. Please note that the camp is at an altitude of 2400m and it does get cold in the evenings and early mornings.

Rhino Lodge is ideally located on the edge of the Ngorongoro crater rim. The Lodge was originally the home of Ngorongoro’s first conservator, and its developers have maintained the house’s original rustic, low-impact style and natural setting.

Rhino Lodge offers a perfect base from which to explore the Ngorongoro crater and its surroundings. This lodge is located within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, about a 100 meters from the crater rim.

It has 24 rooms, all of which are simply furnished and have ensuite bathrooms with showers. Each room also has a veranda where guests can relax and enjoy the view of the surrounding forests and a buffalo wallow.

Rhino Lodge is not luxurious but rather an affordable alternative on the edge of the crater and very comfortable. It is ideal for groups and families.

The lodge is operated in conjunction with the governing body of the area's Maasai, to ensure that they benefit from the lodge's success. Almost all the staff come from the local village, and part of the lodge's income goes directly to the Maasai community.

The inhouse restaurant has beautiful views overlooking the forest, with a wooden deck on which to sit if you'd prefer to eat al fresco. Inside, two fireplaces create a warm and cosy setting for the simple yet delicious food which is a mix of local and international tastes. Depending on the number of guests at the lodge, meals can be buffet or à la carte.

Ang’ata Ngorongoro Camp is a mid-range tented camp positioned directly on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, one of the most coveted safari locations in Tanzania. High-season stays average around $500–545 per double per night, with low-season reductions (Mar–May) bringing rates closer to $300–325.

The camp’s main advantage is its logistical edge: being right on the rim allows guests to be among the first vehicles descending into the crater at gate opening, reaching the floor by 6:30 am. This early entry dramatically improves wildlife sightings, especially of predators before they retreat from the cool morning air.

Compared with Karatu mid-range lodges like Marera Valley, Tloma, or Simba — which require a 25–30 minute drive to the gate — Ang’ata ensures you get more time where it matters most. Versus crater-rim lodges like Serena and Sopa, Ang’ata is less polished, but its intimacy and price point make it appealing. And while it cannot match the grandeur of &Beyond Crater Lodge, it provides a far more authentic tented safari feel.

Located in the heart of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Melia's Ngorongoro lodge strikes you with its panoramic views of the caldera.

Both its interior and exterior design are in harmony with the environment that surrounds it. Its facilities and services are respectful of the natural environment. It features very spacious rooms, a restaurant, a spa and offers unique experiences.

The hotel, with a sustainable philosophy, has been designed for guests to feel immersed in the Tanzanian culture.

The Ngorongoro Serena Lodge is a stone-built lodge perched on the jagged rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, offering panoramic views of the crater floor.

The lodge consists of 75 comfortable and spacious rooms, elegantly appointed with leather headboards, brass lamps, and African animal ""cave paintings"" on the walls. The accommodations are heated, and the lodge blends beautifully with its natural surroundings, with massive picture windows in the dining room, bar, and lounge areas offering magnificent views of the crater.

In the evening, open fires create a cozy atmosphere. The lounge has a balcony with a built-in telescope for guests.

The staff is known for being friendly and accommodating, and the lodge provides an excellent location for exploring the Ngorongoro Crater and Olduvai Gorge, known as the cradle of mankind

Ngorongoro Tortilis Camp offers a comfortable and eco-friendly camping experience on the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater. Known for its excellent service and stunning views, it is an ideal choice for those seeking a budget-friendly yet high-quality safari experience. Insider Tip: Guests can enjoy guided walks along the crater rim, providing unique perspectives on the landscape and wildlife.