Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Lemala Osonjoi
Enjoy unmatched access to the Ngorongoro Crater floor
On the Ngorongoro Crater’s eastern rim in northern Tanzania, Lemala Osonjoi emerges from the very trees that give it its name. With spectacular views of the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera, this serene retreat occupies one of the most remarkable locations in all of East Africa.
Situated near the lesser-used crater descent road, staying at Lemala Osonjoi grants you unrivalled access to the crater floor. Its strategic position lets you arrive before the crowds for early morning game drives, when wildlife sightings are at their best. Spot elephants and lion prides just as they begin to stir. Other activities include walks along the crater rim with Maasai naturalists, cultural visits to the village of Mto wa Mbu and restorative wellness treatments at the intimate spa overlooking the forest.
Tranquillity meets tradition across Lemala Osonjoi’s suites. Built in collaboration with local communities and artisans, they each feature a design steeped with the spirit of the Ngorongoro Highlands. Natural materials echo the landscape outside and panoramic windows offer you a front-row seat. Gaze out to misty treetops from your suite’s free-standing bathtub or savour the scenery from the cosy reading nook. When the sun sets and the air cools, wood stoves, winter-weight duvets and velvety hot chocolate keep you warm.
Lemala Osonjoi’s central area is where you’ll find the heated indoor pool and outdoor viewing deck with a firepit. Here, views sweep to the crater rim, creating a breathtaking backdrop to sundowners shared around the glow of a fire. The forested scenery remains in focus in the dining room, which rivals the height of the surrounding canopy.
Highlights
Marvel at panoramic views of the Ngorongoro Crater
Delight in game drives to the crater floor with fewer crowds
Join Maasai naturalists on scenic walks along the crater rim
Indulge in a rejuvenating treatment at the forest spa
Admire the lush landscape from the privacy of your suite
Toast to the day’s adventure with sundowners around the outdoor firepit
Trip inspiration
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Places to combine Lemala Osonjoi with
Rubondo island
Rubondo Island lies in the tranquil southwest corner of Lake Victoria in Tanzania and is enveloped in lush subtropical rainforest. The island is a protected sanctuary, teeming with endangered chimpanzees and a wealth of other wildlife.
The camp features eight secluded cottages that sit at the edge of the forest, each crafted from traditional materials to harmonise with the island’s natural beauty. A spacious family unit provides an ideal retreat for larger groups, while every cottage offers a private veranda overlooking the lake.
Wake up to the gentle sounds of the forest: the rustle of leaves, the distant call of a fish eagle and the occasional splash of water as hippos stir in the lake’s shallows. Here sitatunga antelope move silently through the papyrus swamps, bushbuck graze at the forest edges and forest elephants forge trails through dense greenery.
Your mornings might begin with the aroma of fresh coffee, enjoyed as the lake shimmers under the soft morning light. From here you can embark on a variety of adventures. Days on Rubondo Island invite a range of immersive adventures. Trek through the forest in search of chimpanzees, traverse the lake on a boating safari or set off on a guided game drive.
