Ngorongoro Tortilis Camp

You can travel by road from Arusha to the Ngorongoro Tortilis Camp. The distance is about 205 kilometers, and the journey takes about 4 hours. The road is in good condition to the camp.

There is no airstrip in the Ngorongoro Highlands. The nearest option is to fly to the Lake Manyara airstrip, which is only a 60-minute flight and 2 hours from the airstrip to our Ngorongoro Tortilis Camp.

Being so close to the equator means the winter and summer weather are not very different here, so that you can visit this high-altitude region all year round. This high altitude means the weather is much cooler here than in the other regions of Northern Tanzania. There is so much to do here, and the Ngorongoro Tortilis Camp’s location is perfectly positioned to place all these activities at your fingertips.

Of course, the real highlight and a ‘must-do’ in Ngorongoro is an all-day safari game- drive with our driver-guide to the Ngorongoro Crater. This includes a picnic lunch at a watering hole. Walking around our acacia-canopied Ngorongoro Tortilis Camp is an adventure in itself. The full-day hike of Mount Makarot right from the camp’s door delivers spectacular views. Or enjoy a sundowner with a view of Lake Eyasi. And the proximity of a local Maasai tribe means you can even have a Maasai wedding with all the festive singing and colorful tradition, creating unique memories for all.

Unfortunately, Hairdryers use too much power, so using them at the camp is impossible.

Yes, we have no security concerns at Ngorongoro Tortilis Camps. But when you arrive, you can lock away valuables in a box with a strong padlock. This is provided in every tent. It is big enough to lock away a whole bag, a large camera lens, or other large items.

Yes, we have constant power availability for CPA machines if required.

We provide 500ml of bottled water per person per night in each tent for teeth brushing. Water and drinks are always available from our watering hole/bar in the mess tents. We regret that no drinks are allowed to be brought into the camp from outside.

Yes. Hot showers are at your request. The staff will ensure sufficient hot water for a morning or evening shower.

Ngorongoro Tortilis Camp does not have wheelchair ramps or infrastructure suitable for visitors of lesser mobility. If guests have a dedicated helper of their own, then the beds, access to the tents, and bathrooms could still be accessible. Please note that the distances from the car to the tents, and tents to the mess tent, are relatively short and flat with no steps or terraced levels but with gravel pathways. Please get in touch with us in advance to discuss this.

Each tent has outlets at the bedside tables, a special writing desk, and the bathroom. From here, you can plug in a USB, phone, laptop, tablet, electric razors, or other devices for charging. In Tanzania, we use a type G socket – just like in the UK.

Yes, although it is only recommended to use the laundry service if you stay more than one night and the weather is sunny. (The clothes are dried outside, there are no tumble dryers.)

Our staff washes clothes in warm water and soap by hand.

Our tents are large – 5m wide by 14m long and have been well thought out and designed to give you the best view of the site, even from inside your tent, while relaxing or in bed. The entrance to the tent has a flap covering the dedicated front room with a sofa, chair, and relaxing setup that looks directly out into uninterrupted views of the beautiful landscape.

Passing from the front room into the main room is through another flap, which acts as the perfect adaptable partition from the outside world but still keeps the all-around views. All the sides of the tent can be adjusted by lifting the many side flaps to let in as much light as you like and to allow air to flow through the tent to keep it cool.

Behind the main room are a separate extra bed and a small, partitioned space for a child or third person to sleep. Behind this useful extra space is the bathroom with an enclosed shower and private toilet, and the main area of the bathroom with a basin, luggage stand, towel rack, and wooden box safe.

It is safe to walk around the camp during the day; however, it is an unfenced area, so visitors still need to be vigilant. At night, we constantly have escorts to walk you from your tent to the mess tent. Our Maasai staff carry out this function and can walk with you anytime you need local assurance. All the paths are lit when it gets dark, and each tent has a powerful torch for your use.

Ngorongoro Tortilis Camp is completely unfenced, so wildlife does come into the camp. At this point, visitors need to stay inside their tents and are not allowed out until staff has ensured it is clear to do so. Wildlife will not come into the tents.

Please note that at the moment, we only accept cash payments in Euros, Tanzanian Shillings, and American Dollars printed after 2009.

Ngorongoro region is very cold due to the high altitude. Ngorongoro Tortilis Camp is on a mountain, and temperatures here can drop as low as 6 degrees Celsius.

Please pack some warm clothing: shawl/sarong/warm socks/warm, lightweight jacket, fleece, raincoat, and windbreaker. Easy to wash clothes (synthetics/tropical cloth), wool sweaters, and warm fleece jackets. Long pants, long sleeve shirts.

At night, we provide hot water bottles in the bed to warm you during your sleep. We also provide warm duvets and layers on the bed to keep warm. We also provide extra blankets on request. There is also a fireplace where you can have a warm drink and get cozy. We recently added some clay chimneys in the main area with a hot coal to keep the mess tent warm.

No, it is located within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area but not on the crater rim. The camp is in a beautiful forest on the foot of Mt. Makarot, a 30 -minute drive from the crater.