About
Asilia Africa’s award-winning boutique camp, The Highlands, is an architectural marvel perched on the edge of Olmoti Crater’s forest, a unique offering and a rich, exclusive Ngorongoro experience.
Despite its private location, the camp is only an hour away from the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can see lion, elephant, rhino and more in a unique game drive location. There are numerous complementary thrilling adventures besides a crater floor safari, such as hiking to the top of Olmoti for astounding views, walking down to the soda lake in Empakaai Crater to see thousands of pink flamingos, and immersive cultural interactions with the local Maasai community.
CLOSEST AIRSTRIP: LAKE MANYARA, A 3-HR DRIVE FROM CAMP 
FAMILIES: CHILDREN AGED 5 AND OLDER 
OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND 
ACCOMMODATION & AMENITIES
A boutique destination by design, The Highlands offers eight uniquely constructed domed suites. These romantic habitats comprise canvas and perspex, all surrounded by lush forest vegetation and breathtaking views of the rolling hills and distant volcanic mountains. An interconnected family suite caters to adults with children, while the honeymoon suite features an outdoor hot tub. All accommodations have en suite bathrooms, hot running water and showers.
8 PERSPEX-AND-CANVAS DOMED SUITES
COMPLIMENTARY LAUNDRY SERVICE
EN SUITE BATHROOMS
IN-ROOM WOOD-BURNING STOVE
SOLAR AND GENERATOR POWER
SPA
WI-FI Asilia Africa’s The Highlands, an award-winning destination, is ideal for visiting the famous and sought-after Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Since the camp is located at the highest elevation in the region on the slopes of the Olmoti Crater, the position offers sensational and sweeping views of the surrounding landscapes with mountainous forests, grassy plains, and swampy marshlands. On game drives in the Ngorongoro Crater, you can spot wildlife like buffalo, zebra, hartebeest, bushbuck, leopard, lion, elephant, and hyena. Additionally, Empakaai Crater is known for the thousands of flamingos that gather along the shores of its soda lake.
Best time to visit The Highlands
June - September
June transitions from wet to dry weather, with July, August and September being excellent cooler months for wildlife safari adventures. They are regarded as the peak months and are particularly popular due to Ngorongoro's optimal wildlife viewing conditions. The sunny, clear weather, sparse vegetation, and wildlife gathering about the waterholes offer spectacular photographic opportunities, but the crater can feel quite busy during this period.
October - January
October remains dry, featuring ideal wildlife viewing conditions. The short rains begin in November, delivering afternoon showers which minimally impact safari conditions. The short rains continue into late December, attracting migratory birds and fewer tourists. By January, the rain has mostly cleared, and the days are sunny and warm. Game viewing is good throughout these months, and the experienced improved by a lower tourist numbers.
February - May
Much like January, a safari in February offers predominantly dry, comfortable weather conditions with fewer tourists. The long rains start in mid-March and extend through May. Roads can become muddy and challenging, but landscapes offer vistas of gorgeous blooming wildflowers, and fantastic wildlife viewing options still abound in the crater since it doesn’t rain all day.
Rates & Seasonality*
* Special offers may apply
* Contact us for the best available rates
* Rates are correct at the time of publishing and subject to change
Currency
*Rate Includes: Full board accommodation, all house drinks (except premium wines and champagne), scheduled game drives, Olmoti Crater hike (min. 12 yrs), Empakaai Crater hike (min. 12 yrs and a 3 night stay is recommended), transfers to/from Manyara airstrip, limited laundry service, Tourism Development Levy.
Excludes: Park fees, concession fees, Asilia conservation charge, Ngorongoro Crater descent fee (US$70 per person, minimum 2 people - including VAT currently at 18%), Maasai cultural visit (US$30 per person), spa treatments, all transfers other than stated, flying doctors/medical evacuation insurance, flights & airport taxes, gratuities, items of personal nature, additional lunch (picnic or in house) US$25pp.
Book any combination of Asilia properties for 7+ consecutive nights and all in country transfers are on us!
All Asilia
Discover the finest safari destinations with All Asilia. An incredible offer to suit endless possibilities.
Minimum 2 adults | Minimum 2 nights per camp | 7+ nights must be consecutive
Your Questions Answered
The Highlands is located a 3-hour drive away from Lake Manyara, the nearest airstrip.
We welcome families and children aged five and older and offer a cosy family suite.
Ngorongoro is a tremendous year-round safari destination, with May being the best time to visit to avoid crowds. However, most tourists tend to visit in July and August for the dry conditions.
The Ngorongoro Crater, and the wider conservation area, boasts over 25,000 large animals and hundreds of bird species, making it an ideal destination for wildlife enthusiasts. You may have the chance to see lion, leopard, elephant, pink flamingo, zebra, buffalo, wildebeest, hyena, and even the rare black rhinoceros.
Our expert safari guides take you in custom-designed 4×4 vehicles to explore the breathtaking landscapes and spot wildlife. Game drives depart early, usually with a picnic lunch to be enjoyed non the crater floor. Our vehicles are equipped with amenities like snacks and drinks to ensure your complete comfort and safety.
We pride ourselves on serving meals crafted from the freshest, locally sourced ingredients from the Karatu region.
Before your arrival, kindly inform us of any dietary restrictions you may have, and we will be delighted to make the necessary arrangements to accommodate them.
When going on a safari, it’s best to wear neutral-coloured clothing suitable for the season and light synthetic hiking shoes that can be used for various safari activities. Mornings and evenings can be very cold at this altitude, making beanies and warm jackets recommended. Also, remember that small planes have a baggage weight limit of 15kg (33 lbs).
The Highlands provides canvas domed suites with en suite bathrooms, hot water showers, and flushing toilets. It is powered by solar energy and generators.
DON'T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT
We went on 2 hikes while at the crater which included Olmoti Crater and Empakaai Crater, plus a visit to the Masai village. Our guide was amazing. His driving and knowledge of the crater area and where to find the animals was unbeatable.
Toby M
DON'T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT
The Highlands Camp is one of the most exceptional properties we have ever stayed at. Service, location, amenities could not possibly be better.
Jack S
DON'T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT
We had an unforgettable stay at The Highlands! The staff’s warm service truly stood out, making our anniversary extra special. They surprised us with a private dinner and even upgraded us to the stunning honeymoon suite.
Kate L
Awards & Recognition
The Highlands consistently achieves top ratings from our guests on TripAdvisor and was recognised for a Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award in 2023.
You might like...
Related Camps and Lodges
Dunia Camp
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Strategically situated in the south central Serengeti, this female-led permanent camp provides incredible year-round game viewing within core wildlife locations.
Olakira Migration Camp
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Olakira Migration Camp follows the Great Migration across the Serengeti, from the dramatic river crossings in the north to the action of the calving season in the south.
Oliver’s Camp
Tarangire National Park, Tanzania
In the secluded southern reaches of Tarangire, Oliver’s Camp offers an exclusive and authentic wilderness experience, with some of the best guides in Africa.
Rubondo Island Camp
Rubondo Island National Park, Tanzania
Rubondo Island Camp is situated on a remote forested island in Lake Victoria, offering a unique and exclusive adventure experience amidst elephant and chimpanzees.
