Highlights
- Superb elevated location, fabulous views
- Game drives, nature walks
- Cultural visits
- Asilia Portfolio
Start planning your tailor-made trip by calling one of our specialists on 855 686 7694
EnquireThe luxurious Highlands Camp, newly opened in July 2016, is set in a private, forested area within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania. This high-altitude, tented camp belongs to the high-end Asilia portfolio and nestles against the Olmoti Volcano, with spectacular views of the surrounding area. The Ngorongoro Crater, just 40km away, is home to a vast array of animals from lion, leopard and serval, to black rhino, elephant, buffalo, wildebeest and a plethora of birds. The camp is located some 2 ½ hour’s drive from the Manyara airstrip; do be prepared for a bumpy ride as you approach camp since the road’s surface is somewhat uneven, as might be expected in a location as wonderfully remote as this.
The property’s unique design is distinctly contemporary, yet inspired by the traditional Maasai Boma. All tents are dome-shaped and sumptuously furnished. The attractive main area houses a welcoming indoor fireplace with comfortable seating, a library and a bar. There is 24-hour solar power with back-up generator.
The range of activities on offer is unrivalled in this area. The Olmoti nature walk starts directly from camp and follows an ancient Maasai cattle trail, climbing through grasslands and rocky outcrops with fabulous, rewarding views at the top. A half-day excursion is also possible to the nearby Empakaai Crater, famed for its soda lake and pink flamingos, and cultural visits to nearby Maasai communities are a must. Game drives in the Ngorongoro Crater are a true highlight, and the camp’s excellent location makes for a relatively short 45-minute drive to the crater floor.
The accommodation comprises 8 stunning glass-and-canvas domed suites, including a honeymoon suite (complete with hot tub), a family suite, and 2 triple rooms (available on request). Each suite has an en-suite bathroom with hot running water, shower and flushing toilet and there is a good distance between tents to ensure privacy. Note that the rooms are located downhill from the main areas so sturdy footwear in the evenings is imperative. Although rooms are certainly cosy, each with an in-room wood-burning stove, do bring warm clothing since it can get chilly and weather at this altitude is inevitably unpredictable.
Children of 5 years and up are welcome. The family tent accommodates 2 adults and 2 children very comfortably and has 2 separate bathrooms with flushable toilet and outdoor shower. Unusually for this area, there is a good range of activities for children, including game drives and community visits, although trips to the Olmoti and Empakaai Craters are not suitable for children under 16.
The Highlands Camp offers a true wilderness experience coupled with a cosy, indulgent feel. Newly opened and luxurious, there is a price tag to match but the camp’s spectacular location and superb range of activities make for a wonderful stay.
Yes everything went incredibly smoothly , excellent guide and set up u have . I might need a new pair of calves though !!! Thanks for sorting ALL the changes out. Regards Charlie
charles b
reviewing 6 Day Toubkal Circuit
on 03 May 2023
Hi Lisa, We had a fabulous time thank you. The accommodation and other ideation were all terrific - that’s so much for your help. The apartment in Cape Town was particularly good - we would never have found that: Boschendal was great as well and game lodge was superb. Thanks again, Alistair
Alistair A
reviewing Cape Town, Garden Route and Kruger
on 28 April 2023
Dear Lisa
Well, we are back and still buzzing. We have had a marvellous time. The weather helped. We left Manchester in the snow and arrived in Marrakesh at 30 degrees. We were well looked after in the Riad. I'm glad we booked a meal for the first evening - ate it on the roof terrace. We can recommend that. It was delicious. We ate at the Foundouk, as per your recommendation and on the following night we ate at Le Jardin - got lost on the way to it!. We can really recommend Le Jardin.
The following day we went to Majorelle gardens. Fortunately we had looked it up before we travelled because you have to book in advance online only from Jan 2023. We found our own way to the Medera Ben Yousef and Latifa took us to Bahia Palace - both were stunning.
The following morning our lovely taxi driver Mohammond collected us to go to the EcoLodge. Yet another Mohammond made us very welcome. Again we ate well! You were right, the pool was freezing, but I can't sit next to water and not get in. Once you're in you forget how cold it is! I wasn't the only person to try the pool.
Rashid, our guide for our walk collected us. He was brilliant. It was hard work, but worth it. I was determined I would make it. Kevin is fitter than me! The Berber family were lovely. We stopped when we were nearly there to see how rag rugs were made. When we got back Rashid and Mohammond confessed that Mohammond had said to Rashid that he should get us to a road if we got too tired and they would send a taxi (or a mule!) to collect us - or me, but Rashid was sure that I'd be OK. He was right. I think they wondered about these 2 70+ year olds. We can't praise Rashid enough. He had walked over from Imlil in the morning and was going to walk back after he left us.
Thank you so much for putting our holiday together. We never thought it would be 3 years before we went. We are so glad we persevered. We did wonder what we had let ourselves in for as 2 oldies!
Fiona and Kevin
Fiona B
reviewing Boutique Marrakech & Atlas Mountains
on 21 April 2023