Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Set high on the forested slopes of Olmoti Volcano, well away from the crowds that gather at Ngorongoro Crater’s main rim, The Highlands reimagines what a Ngorongoro Conservation Area stay can actually look like.
Eight geodesic domed suites, blending canvas and glass in a striking, contemporary architectural style, sit tucked into the forest, each offering sweeping views across the Gol Mountains while remaining, as one guide puts it, a place for the traveler who wants the incredible wildlife of the crater but refuses to compromise on exclusivity and solitude.
As a travel consultant, I recommend The Highlands specifically to travelers who’ve already experienced, or want to avoid entirely, the more crowded, conventional crater-rim lodges, and who are drawn to genuine architectural distinctiveness alongside access to two considerably less-visited craters, Olmoti and Empakaai, most Ngorongoro visitors never see.
Architecture Built for High-Altitude Isolation
The Highlands’ eight domes represent a genuine marvel of sustainable design, purpose-built to handle the cold, often foggy nights that come with the property’s high-altitude forest setting.
Each dome features a wood-burning stove, lit thoughtfully by staff while guests are at dinner so the space is warm by the time they retire, alongside massive beds, sumptuous furs and hide throws, plaid touches echoing traditional Maasai shuka patterns, and, in several configurations, a private balcony ideal for stargazing on clear highland nights.
This isn’t simply a stylistic gesture; the property’s remote position, roughly forty minutes from the nearest neighbouring camp, delivers on the promise of profound isolation, and the futuristic dome architecture, quite unlike anything else in the wider Ngorongoro area, has earned The Highlands a reputation as one of the most visually distinctive properties in Tanzania’s entire luxury safari circuit.
Room Configurations
Beyond the standard double domes, The Highlands offers a dedicated Honeymoon Dome, emphasising privacy and relaxation with a king-size bed, an en-suite bathroom featuring a double-headed shower, a wood-burning fireplace for the colder months, a large elevated deck, and an outdoor hot tub overlooking the surrounding forest, well suited to couples marking a special occasion.
For families, one dedicated family tent accommodates two adults and two children, comprising a main dome configured as a standard double connected via a covered walkway to a smaller dome with twin beds and its own en-suite shower room for the children, a practical layout that gives young travelers their own private space while keeping the whole family close together. The camp welcomes children over five years old, with a range of activities suited to younger guests, including game drives and visits to nearby Maasai villages, though children must be over twelve specifically to join hikes into the Olmoti and Empakaai craters.
Ngorongoro Crater, Without the Crowds at Your Door
Despite its deliberately private, remote location, The Highlands sits only about forty-five minutes to an hour from the Ngorongoro Crater floor itself, with no need to stop at the main gate en route, a genuine logistical advantage over some of the more crowded rim lodges positioned closer to the main tourist circuit. Full-day game drives down into the crater deliver classic, concentrated Big Five viewing, lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, and leopard, within the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera, before guests return each evening to the considerably quieter, more secluded atmosphere of the camp itself.
Olmoti and Empakaai: Craters Most Visitors Never See
What sets The Highlands apart from every other Ngorongoro property is its proximity to two further volcanic craters within the wider Ngorongoro Conservation Area that most visitors to the main crater never have the chance to explore. A hike to the top of Olmoti, accessible directly from camp, rewards guests with staggering panoramic views across the surrounding highlands, while a half-day guided trip down into Empakaai Crater leads to a dramatic caldera encircling a soda lake, its shores often lined with thousands of pink flamingos and its rim frequently roamed by elephant, an experience rivalling the main crater itself for sheer visual drama, minus the crowds entirely.
Both hikes are led by an experienced safari guide accompanied by an armed ranger, and cater to a genuine range of physical abilities, making them accessible to most reasonably fit travelers rather than requiring serious mountaineering experience.
Cultural Encounters With the Local Maasai
The Highlands offers genuine, respectful cultural interactions with the local Maasai community surrounding the camp, including the opportunity to walk cattle back to the boma alongside Maasai herders at the end of the day, a immersive, unstaged way to experience pastoral life in the Ngorongoro Highlands rather than a purely observational village visit.
Wellness and Evening Rituals
A barrel sauna adds a distinctive wellness touch rarely found at other East African safari properties, well suited to warming up after a cold, foggy highland day out on the crater floor or hiking one of the surrounding volcanic craters. Evenings typically gather guests around a crackling fire with a glass of wine or whiskey before a delicious three-course dinner, and past guests consistently describe the staff’s warmth, including spontaneous singing and traditional Maasai jumping performances around the holidays, as a genuine highlight of their stay.
What’s Included
Rates at The Highlands are all-inclusive, covering meals and drinks (with the exception of premium wines and champagne), limited laundry service, and all driving handled by trained staff using Asilia’s own vehicles, meaning guests never need to navigate the property’s remote roads independently. The included transfer from Lake Manyara Airstrip, a three-hour drive, is provided as standard, with private vehicles available for an additional charge for guests wanting more flexibility or privacy en route.
Getting There
Guests fly into Kilimanjaro, Arusha, or Dar es Salaam, connecting onward to Lake Manyara Airstrip, where Asilia staff meet arriving guests for the three-hour road transfer to camp. Bush flights can also be arranged for travelers wanting a faster, more direct connection, and the Asilia team typically reaches out within 48 business hours of booking to help coordinate travel between camps for guests combining The Highlands with other properties in the wider Asilia portfolio.
Best Time to Visit
The Ngorongoro Crater delivers strong, reliable Big Five wildlife viewing year-round, since its resident animal population rarely leaves the crater floor, making The Highlands a worthwhile destination in any season. The dry months generally offer clearer skies for the Olmoti and Empakaai crater hikes and easier road conditions for the transfer from Lake Manyara, while the property’s high-altitude setting means cooler temperatures and occasional highland fog are a genuine part of the experience regardless of season, worth packing warm layers for even during Tanzania’s warmer months.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes The Highlands’ architecture distinctive?
The camp’s eight suites take the form of geodesic domes built from canvas and glass, a futuristic design unlike any other Ngorongoro property, purpose-built to handle the cold, often foggy nights of the camp’s high-altitude forest setting.
How far is The Highlands from Ngorongoro Crater?
Despite its remote, secluded position, the crater floor is only about forty-five minutes to an hour away by vehicle, with no need to stop at the main gate en route.
What are Olmoti and Empakaai craters?
Two lesser-visited volcanic craters within the wider Ngorongoro Conservation Area, accessible directly from The Highlands via guided hikes. Empakaai features a dramatic soda lake often lined with thousands of pink flamingos, while Olmoti offers staggering panoramic highland views.
Is The Highlands suitable for families?
Yes. The camp offers one dedicated family dome for two adults and two children, welcomes children over five, and runs family-friendly activities, though the Olmoti and Empakaai crater hikes require children to be at least twelve.
What is included in The Highlands’ all-inclusive rate?
All meals and drinks except premium wines and champagne, limited laundry service, and all driving handled by trained staff, including the included transfer from Lake Manyara Airstrip.
