Ngorongoro Crater Camp, an A&K Sanctuary

Ngorongoro Crater Camp, an A&K Sanctuary, occupies an elevated hillside site in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, roughly 25 minutes from the road that descends to the crater floor. With only 10 tented suites and a maximum of 20 guests, the camp feels small and unhurried against a landscape that is anything but. The interiors were created with an East African design studio and about 97 percent of the decor was made locally, in a palette of grey, soft brown and black drawn from the surrounding highlands. Signature pieces include a chandelier strung with painted jacaranda seed pods in the main lounge and a curving sisal screen woven in place. Each tented suite covers 68 square meters and sits at least 15 meters from its nearest neighbour. Inside there are teak floorboards, billowing white curtains, a king size bed, an overhead fan, a mosquito net, a minibar, a tea and coffee station, a hairdryer and plug points, plus a generous ensuite bathroom with double vanities and a shower. Every suite opens onto a raised private deck with Leica binoculars to hand, three of them facing Mount Makarot and seven looking out over the plains. Electric heaters take the edge off cold nights on the rim. Rates include all meals, house and premium drinks, laundry, twice daily game drives into the crater and return transfers from Manyara or Ndutu airstrip. Children aged 6 and over are welcome.