Elewana the Manor Ngorongoro

The spacious, luxurious rooms with amenities provide a pampered experience. Exceptional staff offer personalized service. The peaceful location amidst coffee plantations is ideal for a grand colonial estate experience.

There are many, many good hotels in the world, but many of them fall into the trap of generic luxury. Open your eyes in the morning, and it can be hard to remember where you are. This is not a problem when you are at The Manor at Ngorongoro. Instead, you are likely to feel like you have taken a giant step back into a world of European elegance nestled on a coffee farm in East Africa. Start with the setting. While being only a few hundred miles from the equator, the hotel sits at 5,700 feet (1,740m), so the daytime temperature in August rarely exceeds 75F (24C). Then layer in the unique architecture, comprised of cabins and larger building modeled on South African vineyards. Add in extraordinary cabins, featuring separate sitting and sleeping areas which share a wood burning fireplace. (NB: You’ll want to have the staff light you a fire: it gets cold at night.) Finally, set the whole thing in the midst of a large coffee plantation. It’s very easy to harken back to another time. Then there is the service. General Manager Altus du Toit and his wife run a very tight ship, one which is luxuriously accommodating to guests. In a previous life, Altus was an award-winning chef, which may explain why the kitchen does such spectacular work. Equally, service is very personal. During our stay, we have had the same dedicated server and butler, both of whom are present at every meal. They are friendly, attentive and detail oriented. (Thank you John and Beatrice!) To the extent that there are downsides… The internet can be a little precarious and the power sometimes go out. That said, electricity is usually restored in a minute or two. And if you’re looking for a television, look elsewhere. However, there is a theatre in the main building (which primarily shows soccer). The location is remote and over some challenging roads that give a good ‘African Massage’. But for all of that, I cannot think of another property that has taken me so out of time. If you are visiting Ngorongoro, The Manor is not to be missed.

A true hidden gem, located in a coffee plantation. Wonderful old estate turned into a luxury lodge Staff anticipated your needs before you asked Wonderful wine selection Hores back riding offered Meal was perfect and staff was awesome Treat yourself and spend time here