Entamanu, Ngorongoro, Tanzania

Views don’t get better than this. Perched on the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti Plains, consciously-crafted Entamanu is the only camp in the region where you can take in panoramic views of both bucket-list safari regions in one stay. As the morning mist lifts, you’ll witness distant elephant, wildebeest, zebra, and buffalo begin their day on the vast, sun-scorched caldera floor. In the evenings, you’ll see the sun setting over the Serengeti, turning the sky a vivid shade of orange. This Nomad camp is small and secluded, which creates a lovely, intimate atmosphere. We adore it – and so will you.

LOCATION

Location, location, location – it’s hard to imagine a better, or more dramatic spot in Northern Tanzania than this. You’ll be sleeping on the remote northwestern edge of the largest caldera in the world, a natural amphitheatre of wildlife and UNESCO World Heritage Site. It almost – almost – overshadows the world-famous Serengeti, which stretches westward from the luxury tented camp. The location, close to a local Masaai village, means you’ll have the opportunity to learn about Masaai culture, with authentic and meaningful interactions with the families who live there.

YOUR ROOM

Verandah with a view? You’ll find it here. Accommodation is split across two camps – Entamanu (with 10 cottages) and Entamanu Private (with three cottages). Each one is crafted with wood, glass, and stretched canvas, and positioned in the shade of acacia trees.
Inside all the rooms, the design feels relaxed, leaning into a boho-chic aesthetic, with rattan lampshades, bleached wooden furniture and cream armchairs, plus locally sourced textiles including sheepskin throws and rust-red linen cushions. There are private bathrooms in all of the rooms, and comfy, spacious living spaces that are a particularly nice touch for the two-bedroom family cottages.

Entamanu Private is also perfect for those families or groups of friends seeking undisturbed time together – it comes with dedicated staff and dining areas, and your stay is enjoyed entirely on your terms and schedules.

WHO IT SUITS

This is a place for anyone seeking a quiet, secluded stay with a feeling of being pretty isolated – in the best possible way. Private vehicles for game drives come as standard, so there are endless special opportunities to connect and chat with your family, friends or partner, both during your game drives, over private picnics, and in camp. The four-bedroom residence is the perfect choice for larger groups of friends or multi-generational trips, particularly those celebrating big occasions. Dining in the main camp is a communal affair, but you can request private meals if you prefer.

WHY WE LIKE IT

There are bigger, glitzier places to stay around the Ngorongoro Crater, but we love Entamanu for its relaxed atmosphere and style. It’s hard to beat the remote location, with views that will go some way to help you grasp the magnitude of the crater below (and you’ll descend into the caldera before most other vehicles arrive). Private guides will give you incredible insight into Maasai traditions, and Maasai scouts will take you on highland walks, sharing stories with you as you go. There are simple touches that we like, too – not just being woken for your morning game drive, for instance, but also being left a large cafetiere of rich, dark Tanzanian coffee. Just what you need to fire you up for your day in the crater.

SUSTAINABILITY

This is a Nomad camp – a safari brand that’s committed to conservation. Local artisans have created everything on site, from textiles to furniture, while sustainable building practices make sure the structure treads lightly on the landscape. As you’d expect, the Nomad conservation philosophy also focuses on wildlife protection – through their Lion Guardian Program, for example, they sponsor a local leader, who works with communities to report on lion sightings, helping to protect predators and the locals’ livestock. Entamanu’s educational ‘student safaris’ work hard to engage local youth in conservation, creating a new generation of advocates who understand the delicate balance between preserving both natural heritage and traditional ways of life.