Elewana to Open Second Explorer Property Overlooking the Ngorongoro Crater in June 2027

Elewana will open the highly anticipated Ngorongoro Explorer Lodge in June 2027. Located at the highest point of the eastern rim, the property offers one of the most elevated vantage points on the Ngorongoro crater rim, providing privileged bird's-eye views of the caldera, including spectacular sunrise scenes.

With a journey time of just 15 minutes to the crater gate, the property allows easy access to the crater floor, home to one of Africa’s densest concentrations of wildlife, with an estimated 25,000 large mammals, including the Big Five.

Additionally, the lodge is well located for visiting the Olduvai Gorge, widely known as the "Cradle of Mankind", which also forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Designed by 2802 Architects, the same firm as Serengeti Explorer, the property has been carefully considered to blend seamlessly into the surrounding environment. A cleverly intended palette of neutral and dark colours, combined with bountiful lush vegetation deliberately framing the buildings, ensures that the crater remains the main attraction.

The contemporary design throughout is impressive but still welcoming and comfortable, with open fire lounges and terraces perched on the crater rim. The interiors were conceptualised by Jallan Sahba, with the design intended to reflect the dramatic setting and character of the Ngorongoro Crater.

In keeping with the Explorer brand ethos, Ngorongoro Explorer will offer high-end accommodation with impeccable service, matched with an array of activities that keep guests entertained well beyond game drives. Experiences will include cultural talks, stargazing, a photographic studio, yoga and meditation, an indoor cinema, and of course, the crater-floor game drives.

To accommodate the increasing trend of family and multigenerational travel there will be plenty of activities targeting youngsters of all ages, unified in wildlife-focused learning and cultural enlightenment plus age-appropriate safari experiences.

Multiple culinary outlets including the main restaurant, an outdoor boma-style dining experience, pool bar, terrace bar and coffee bar/café will serve a delicious selection of cuisine drawing on local ingredients and cooking methods with a touch of international flair.

An impressive wine cellar with high-tech wine preservation methods will allow guests fine wine by the glass, a provision at Serengeti Explorer that has proven very popular with guests.

Wellness facilities will include a spa with four treatment rooms, including one double treatment room, a sauna, rasul chamber, cold plunge, vitality pool and gymnasium. A stand-out attraction will be the infinity pool directly overlooking the crater taking the concept of ‘pool with a view’ to new heights.

Beautifully designed bedrooms feature rich fabrics and artefacts, reflecting the surrounding environment and local culture. All rooms will have floor to ceiling glass windows looking out towards the crater. Of the 84 rooms, 45 will be double, 29 twin, six family and four will be ADA-accessible rooms. Each room includes a minibar, phone, kettle, tea and coffee station, and universal charging units. A multimedia room will be able to host conferences and events for up to 40.

Built on the site of a pre-existing property, the 84-room lodge will not add any additional bed nights to the local area, and repurposes materials from the previous lodge site to protect the local ecosystem.

True to Elewana’s unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship, the property is incorporating sustainable building technologies and principles throughout its construction and is pursuing EDGE certification with the intention of securing certification in time for its opening. Revenue from bed nights will contribute to the Land & Life Foundation, Elewana’s charitable non-profit arm dedicated to community development and wildlife conservation.

Room rates at Ngorongoro Explorer Lodge start from US$425 per person on full board and US$725 per person on a game package.

The Elewana Collection is comprised of 17 award-winning boutique lodges and safari camps in iconic locations across Kenya and Tanzania, each of which has been carefully selected for its unique accommodation and ideal setting to provide unparalleled African wildlife-viewing and beach holiday opportunities. Elewana is the Swahili word meaning “harmony,” and the company prides itself on crafting memorable African safari experiences that offer the highest quality of luxury and comfort, embodying the balance between people, wildlife and environment that today’s sophisticated travellers have come to expect.