Elewana the Manor Ngorongoro

This was our third stop of five during our safari in Tanzania. The Manor and surrounding grounds are simply gorgeous. Our room was huge, clean, and beautiful. The bathtub was incredible and a welcome option on a cold night. That was about it for the positives (for us) I'm afraid. While the service was good, it somehow felt forced and we got the distinct feeling that the workers there are not happy. I felt sorry for them the be honest. The food, while beautiful, was just okay and lacked flavor. We were with a group of 8 and all of us were a bit disappointed. Most disappointing was the temperature of our room. It gets very cold at the top of the crater at night (especially in June) and our room was absolutely freezing. The heated floor in the bathroom did not work (everyone else in our group said theirs did not work either). There is no heat in the room except for a fireplace, and while it was lit while were were at dinner, it was still freezing in our room and our room ended up filling with smoke. All of our clothes reeked of smoke. Our room never did heat up, they ended up bringing us space heaters which we appreciated, but we were still cold all night and did not get much sleep. I think we would try somewhere else if we were to return to this area. Nothing felt authentic here.

This place was so great. Despite the long drive (maybe 15 minutes) on the dirt road off the main road, we loved our stay at The Manor at Ngorongoro. When we arrived, Christina, one of the managers, gave us a tour. There are several buildings, but there was a main building that had the dining room, bar, library, gift shop, etc. The beautiful grounds included a garden with vegetables and herbs, a generous stable with horses, and a pool area. Our beautiful and comfortable rooms were in a standalone house, one of several standalone dwellings. Our room had 2 large bedrooms on the first floor (each with its own bathroom) and a children's area upstairs. The chef prepared lovely meals and we ate in the equally lovely dining room. And, of course, the real stare of the show was the Ngorongoro Crater and our OUTSTANDING guide, Elissa. It is really difficult to describe the experience and [our] photographs really didn't do it justice. The topography, the landscapes, the animals...we loved it so much!

What a gorgeous lodge we stayed at while visiting Ngorongoro Crater. - The suites were very large, beautifully furnished and very clean. - The food was exquisite. - The staff was professional and very dedicated. I want to particularly thank Sharif for tending to all our needs. We were a group of 11 friends traveling together and had the most wonderful time at The Manor. A special thank you to our driver and guides, Bachu and Peter, who educated us on the crater and the wildlife. I highly recommend staying there if you plan on visiting the crater.

Our family group of four adults stayed at the Manor for three nights beginning 11-30-23. I consider myself a seasoned traveler but I place the Manor at the very top of my list for the comfort, support, amenities and staffing excellence that it provides. I feel deeply privileged to have had the opportunity to experience the beauty of this place and the kindness and generosity of spirit of the people who, without exception, welcome guests and see to their needs. None of us will ever forget the lengths to which staff members went to surprise us and share with us a unique and extraordinary experience of Tanzania. I wish I could say more, but, you have to be there!

Amazing hospitality by Ms. Christina Mr. Basil Mr. Saed and their team. Peter was beyond excellence in his services and always smiling, not to forget he made special arangements for our personal dinner and we appreciate his gesture. Peter the chef, wow what amazing dishes he made. For every dietary preference, and all of us savoured the fine cuisine he prepped. Mr. Bachu was very courteous and knowledgeable. A shout out to the house keeping team. A must visit property.

The Manor was absolutely stunning and a must stay if you are contemplating visiting the crater and surrounding area. The grounds were beautiful and included a garden, which the chef utilized for meals, a spacious pool, and ample outdoor dining/sitting space. Our room was nothing short of amazing. It was very spacious, comfortable, and had a large bathroom with a shower and clawfoot soaking tub. The wood burning fireplace was also a nice touch! There was also a private terrace which overlooked the grounds. Baraka, our concierge, always made sure we were attended to and added some humor along the way! Altus, one of the managers, provided us with some great insight on the area, property, and has great knowledge of African wines! The Manor was the perfect place to unwind after a long game drive in the crater and could not be more highly recommended!

This location was the most peaceful and charming little location you can find near the crater. The level of service is what truly makes a destination and this was over the top. Agape was our butler, was was darling, a bit shy and was so attentive to us and our every move. We throughly enjoyed her! Little John was a great assist to Agape and always was nearby waiting to help and refresh a drink or ask if we needed anything. We are from the United States and hustle and bustle is our daily life. I have never in my life felt so relaxed on a vacation. The food- every meal felt like a divine tasting menu with so much thought! We stayed 3 nights and had an amazing time. The Manor has done is right!

The Manor at Ngorongoro was the last lodge on our Kenya-Tanzania safari, and it is the perfect location for the return from tent camp style to a grand colonial estate. The main house is palatial, with its reception hall, bar/club room with fireplace, and its restaurant with a beautiful terrace. Food and service is outstanding, and it is a safe bet to follow the general manager’s recommendation for a matching bottle of excellent South African wine. The Manor Cottages are a delight in layout and decoration, and with its impeccable service, the Manor brings you back from safari to first world luxury hotel standards. The game drive to the crater was well organized and guided, and we were lucky that the peak season crowds had left already when we visited. If one could make a wish, it would be for an improvement of the access road, which was quite a rollercoaster ride after the recent rainfalls. We would certainly recommend the Manor to anyone looking for a 5-star home base for visiting the Ngorogoro crater, and particularly as a final stop of a traditional tent lodge safari.

Definitely a high-end option but no doubt the money goes into the facilities and giving you an exceptional experience. Personalised touches were impressive including a bath ready and waiting day two after noticing I'd had one the first day, and special Christmas Day dinner arrangements made just for me as a solo traveller. All staff were terrific, but my driver/guide Peter was absolutely a highlight - exceptional skills (wet weather made some of the driving quite challenging) and knowledge as well as delightful company.