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.
We had a great time - even with the flight between Governors and the coast being two flights and a car! We also experienced a power cut At Nairobi airport on the way home so 2+ hours late taking off. Governors. Wonderful people and dealt with the flight delay very well - taking us back and letting us know that we could stay there if the flight was delayed overnight. The game drives were excellent and our guide (Erick) obviously very experienced and managed to find all the key animals - no rhino in that part of the Masai Mara but everything else in abundance - never seen so many herbivores (many many elephants as well as all the others) as well as two prides of lions. Could not have asked for more. The ‘tent’ was excellent and comfortable and well serviced. The only ‘complaint’ would be that the food - especially dinner - could be improved (I think we got a bit bored of soup as a starter for every meal bar one) and the main courses were not at the same level as Kinondo Kwetu and while all were explained there was no choice offered. The breakfasts were just what was needed after an early game drive. Kinondo Kwetu. What a great location and the welcome when we arrived at just gone 11.00pm was better than you could have ever thought possible - they we’re disappointed that we did not at that time want the full dinner experience! The rooms we’re comfortable. The food was excellent but again no choice was offered - other than for allergy reasons (which we do not have). May be some choice would be nice. Having said that the food we did have was excellent as were the wines (albeit a short list!) and other drinks. There were (as you know) lots of facilities/sports options - but we spent our time relaxing which was exactly what we needed and there were lots of places to do that. Overall. We would go back to both places - perhaps a few more nights at Kinondo Kwetu next time but 3 nights at Governors was perfect for us. Thank you for organising and recommending both places. That you and your colleague for trying to find out about the plane (flat tyre) but communication by the flight company left a lot to be desired (Governors were furious that they were not told and had taken us to the airstrip). Phil
Philip R
reviewing Masai Mara Safari & Kenya Beach
on 01 September 2023
It was certainly a holiday of a lifetime for us and we loved every minute!! The standard and location of each accommodation was excellent, as was the variety of each different accommodation type. Our schedule was perfect and we managed to achieve everything on our to-do task list. Your documents were also really helpful, as were the driving directions. We all thank you for making this such a wonderful holiday. Happy to leave a review publicly if you point me the right way. Best Steve
Stephen H
reviewing Classic Garden Route & Eastern Cape Safari
on 01 September 2023
Hi Lisa, Thanks for your email! It was amazing thank you! We had the best time, everything ran smoothly (aside from a break-down due to faulty clutch on day 1 of the tour, but our guide / driver sorted that and we were back on track by that evening). Saw all the things we wanted to see, even a mum and cub cheetah. Our boys have had such a different holiday and a fab taste of the world! Thank you so much for organising this for us. We’d definitely recommend our guide/driver (Tuhafeni) and assistant (Frans) again. Nicola
Nicola T
reviewing Highlights of Namibia - Family Group Tour
on 18 August 2023