andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge

The lodge sits right on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, with views down to the Crater floor. Before closing it was known for its theatrical interiors and butler service, with suites spread across three small camps. andBeyond closed it in January 2025 to rebuild it completely, and the target reopening is January 2027. Details of the new rooms and layout had not been widely published when we wrote this.

The point of staying here is location. Rim lodges get you onto the Crater floor early, before most day visitors arrive from Karatu. A Crater day is usually spent on the floor looking for black rhino, lion and the big bull elephants, with lunch at a picnic site. Guided walks on the rim and cultural visits to Maasai communities fill the rest of the stay.

This is for travelers who want the classic stay above the Crater and are happy to book a newly reopened lodge. Until it reopens, and while the first reviews come in, we suggest The Highlands or Gibb's Farm as the main option and treat this as an alternative. It is also a high, cold spot, so evenings can be chilly much of the year.