The Highlands, Ngorongoro Conservation Area

The Highlands — Dome Suites on the Edge of Olmoti Crater

The Highlands is one of the most architecturally distinctive safari lodges in East Africa. Eight dome-shaped suites sit on the forested slopes of Olmoti Crater in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, at an elevation that puts them above the clouds on many mornings. The design — curved canvas and perspex domes set among lush highland vegetation — is unlike any other property in Tanzania, and the experience matches: this is a hiking-and-culture lodge as much as a game-viewing one, with activities that extend far beyond the famous Ngorongoro Crater floor.

The Ngorongoro Crater itself is just an hour's drive from camp, and a crater-floor game drive remains the headline activity — the 260 km² caldera supports one of the densest wildlife populations in Africa, including lion, elephant, buffalo, spotted hyena, and the critically endangered black rhino. But The Highlands was deliberately positioned away from the crater rim (where most lodges cluster) to unlock the broader Ngorongoro Conservation Area: guided hikes to the summit of Olmoti Crater, a half-day expedition to the flamingo-filled soda lake inside Empakaai Crater, and immersive cultural visits to Maasai communities who share this landscape with the wildlife.

Camp Design

The eight dome suites are individually positioned among the forest for privacy, each with panoramic views of the volcanic highlands and rolling Maasai grazing lands. The domes are insulated and heated — essential at this altitude, where temperatures drop sharply after sunset. Inside, each suite has a king-size bed, en-suite bathroom with hot-water shower, a wood-burning fireplace, and a seating area. The design uses canvas, perspex and natural materials to create spaces that feel simultaneously futuristic and organic — light-filled by day, warm and cocoon-like at night. A family suite connects two domes via a shared living area. A honeymoon suite features an outdoor hot tub with highland views.

The communal area includes a spacious lounge with fireplace, a dining room serving freshly prepared meals with produce sourced from local farms in Nyamakendo and Mbalibali, and an outdoor terrace for sundowner drinks with crater-rim views.

Activities

The Ngorongoro Crater game drive (additional crater descent fee applies) is a full-morning excursion descending to the crater floor for close encounters with lion, rhino, elephant, buffalo, flamingo and the crater's dense resident wildlife. Olmoti Crater hike is a guided walk to the rim of the adjacent Olmoti Crater, with a waterfall at the summit — a moderate trek suitable for most fitness levels. Empakaai Crater is a half-day expedition (minimum age 12, minimum 3-night stay recommended) descending into a neighbouring crater to reach a soda lake ringed by thousands of flamingos. Maasai cultural visits take guests into local communities to experience the pastoralist way of life. Spa treatments are available at camp.

Who Is The Highlands Best For?

The Highlands suits travellers who want a Ngorongoro experience that goes beyond the crater floor. If your itinerary allows two or three nights here rather than the standard one, you can add the Olmoti hike, the Empakaai expedition and a Maasai visit — activities that transform Ngorongoro from a half-day game drive into a multi-dimensional highland experience. The distinctive dome architecture makes it a strong choice for design-conscious travellers, honeymooners (outdoor hot tub, mountain setting), and families with children aged five and above.