Ngorongoro Crater · Laba Laba
Laba Ngorongoro Lodge
A new built lodge on the edge of the Ngorongoro crater rim, at 2,200 metres, on the site of the old Rhino Lodge. Opened in April 2026.
Plan a safari with this lodge- Area
- Ngorongoro crater rim, inside the conservation area
- Style
- Built lodge, opened April 2026
- Rooms
- 18 Deluxe Rooms and 2 two-bedroom Deluxe Suites
- Altitude
- About 2,200 m
- In the rooms
- Air conditioning, underfloor heating, electric stoves, terrace
- Run by
- Laba Laba
Laba Ngorongoro Lodge opened in April 2026 inside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, on the edge of the crater rim at about 2,200 metres. It stands on the site of the former Rhino Lodge, and the original conservator's house has been kept and restored as the lodge's reception, bar-lounge and boutique. The lodge belongs to Laba Laba, a Tanzanian collection of camps and lodges that also runs Laba Mama Simba near Arusha and camps in the Serengeti.
Unlike the tented camps near the crater, the rooms have solid walls, air conditioning and underfloor heating, which is useful at this altitude, where nights on the rim are cold for much of the year.
What it's like
The Deluxe Rooms are about 50 m² each, with a sitting area, a dressing area, a bathroom with both a bath and a shower, and a private terrace. The two Deluxe Suites are about 100 m² and have two bedrooms and two bathrooms, so they suit a family or two couples travelling together. All rooms have air conditioning, underfloor heating in the bathroom and an electric stove, along with a minibar and a Nespresso machine.
Meals are served as buffets, with a rotisserie and desserts from a French pastry chef, and the lounge in the old conservator's house has an open fireplace. The lodge's own guided drives use electric Land Cruisers, and the lodge also offers guided walks in the forest of the conservation area and visits to Maasai villages. On our safaris the crater game drive is done with your own private guide and vehicle.
Getting there
Times are best estimates and depend on the road and the weather. The lodge describes itself as the closest lodge to the conservation area entrance and says it is about 40 minutes from Lake Manyara airstrip.
Park fees
The lodge is inside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, so conservation fees apply for every night here. Each Ngorongoro permit is valid for 24 hours and covers one entry. If you arrive in the afternoon, spend the night on the rim and go down into the crater early the next morning, one permit will usually cover your whole visit, provided you leave the area before it expires. Current figures and examples are on our Ngorongoro crater fees page. See Tanzania park fees.
Who it suits
A good fit for
- Guests who want solid walls and heating for a night on the crater rim
- An early start in the crater the next morning
- Families or two couples sharing a two-bedroom suite
- Travellers interested in the history of the conservation area
Look elsewhere for
- Guests who would like a swimming pool, as the lodge does not list one
- Travellers keeping costs down, as every night inside the conservation area carries a conservation fee. Staying in Karatu avoids that fee for the night, although the crater day then needs its own permit.
When to go
The crater can be visited in every month, although the long rains from March to May can make the roads slower. Nights on the rim are cold, especially from June to August, so warm clothes are needed whichever month you travel.
Common questions
Where is Laba Ngorongoro Lodge?
It is on the edge of the Ngorongoro crater rim, inside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, at about 2,200 metres. It stands on the site of the old Rhino Lodge, and the original conservator's house is now the reception and bar-lounge.
When did Laba Ngorongoro Lodge open?
The lodge opened to guests in April 2026.
Is Laba Ngorongoro Lodge a tented camp?
No. It is a built lodge with solid walls, air conditioning and underfloor heating.
How many rooms does Laba Ngorongoro Lodge have?
The lodge has 18 Deluxe Rooms of about 50 m² and 2 two-bedroom Deluxe Suites of about 100 m², each with a private terrace.
Do I pay park fees when staying at Laba Ngorongoro Lodge?
Yes. The lodge is inside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, so conservation fees apply for each night. Staying on the rim and going into the crater the next morning usually needs one permit rather than two. The current fees are on our Ngorongoro crater fees page, and we include them as separate lines in every quote.
How much does a stay at Laba Ngorongoro Lodge cost?
It depends on the season and the rest of your route. We can quote the stay on its own or as part of a full safari quote with the vehicle, guide and park fees included. Send us your dates and we will cost it properly.
Other places to stay in Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, Ngorongoro Lodge, Lemala Ngorongoro, Lion's Paw, Ang'ata Ngorongoro Camp, Ngorongoro Tortilis Camp.
See all lodges and campsSources and Maintenance
Where these figures come from
Fees, rules and official guidance can change at short notice. Every figure on this page is checked against a primary source on the date below and rechecked on a regular schedule.
- Laba Laba official website, Laba Ngorongoro page and photos (opening, electric Land Cruisers, rotisserie, fireplace lounge) (checked 4 November 2026)
- Plateau International, Laba Laba's sales representatives (opening date, altitude, conservator's house, room types and sizes) (checked 4 November 2026)
- Information supplied by the lodge to Expert Africa (room facilities, activities, languages) (owner update 2 July 2026, checked 4 November 2026)
- Saleh Safaris route and drive-time notes (operator observation) (drive times are ranges, conditions vary)
Saleh Safaris is an independent safari operator based in Arusha. This is our own guide to Laba Ngorongoro Lodge, not the lodge's official website.