&Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge has been called the game lodge at the top of the world and, between the natural riches of the Crater spread out at its feet and the amazing architecture, it’s easy to believe that you have entered a realm of pure fantasy. With ever-changing views as mists swirl and clouds scurry over the huge wildlife cauldron below, the location is truly breathtaking.

Divided into three camps, 30 stilted suites with banana leaf ceilings and grass roofs provide an intimate and exclusive Crater experience. Each camp has its own sitting and dining areas, with private butlers who provide warm, personal service. Brocade sofas and Persian rugs invite you to re-live the day’s experiences around a roaring fire. The domed dining room, where sparkling silver and crystal vie for attention with the huge windows and awe-inspiring views.

Everything is chosen to delight the imagination and enhance the spectacular views of the magnificent surroundings. An eclectic blend of elegant teak panelling, Victorian furnishings and whimsical African touches creates a sumptuous atmosphere that is as elegant and unique as the Crater itself.

The Ngorongoro Crater Lodge has a total of 30 suites split between three camps. North and South Camp have 12 suites and the spectacular Tree Camp has just six. Each stilted suite is sumptuously furnished with panelled walls and floors made of Tanzanian hardwoods, rich raw silk curtains, hand-beaded chandeliers, gilt mirrors, a fireplace and a butler’s lobby. The en-suite bathrooms are all furnished with fresh red roses beside a chandelier-lit bathtub.The suites all feature decks with magnificent views of the Crater floor.

Every suite is serviced by a butler who is only a radio call away and will make sure your stay is as comfortable as possible. The butler will arrange everything, from lighting your fire in the evening to organising a bush picnic on a game drive - no request is too much trouble.

Each camp has its own sitting and dining room, an outdoor dining area and viewing decks. The sitting rooms have woven banana bark ceilings and are adorned with hand-beaded chandeliers, carved and gilded wall plaques, brocade sofas, Persian carpets, candles and bowls of red roses. The domed dining room with its welcoming fireplace, crystal, silver and massive wooden platters is the perfect place to enjoy fine cuisine.

Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is comprised of three separate intimate camps – North Camp (12 rooms), South Camp (12 rooms) and the smaller Tree Camp (6 rooms). Each has its own separate dining and lounge area, which helps to maintain a small and exclusive feel – even though the lodge has 30 rooms altogether.

North and South camps are set slightly higher up the hill than Tree Camp and are mirror images of each other. Tree Camp, however, sits literally on the edge of the Crater and – as the name suggests – is built amongst the trees, with views uninterrupted by other buildings. That said, the higher location of North and South lend a better perspective, and they also have larger rooms and a greater overall feeling of opulence.

The main lounge for each of the North and South camps is divinely decorated with wood-panelled walls, large beaded chandeliers, raw silk curtains and inviting velveteen sofas. The roofs are brilliantly crafted from banana leaves (a motif created by the designers, Chris Brown and Diane Fox), while Persian rugs adorn the floors and fresh roses are set out daily. Outside each, an expanse of decking is decorated with terracotta pots filled with Maasai spears, and a large fireplace provides the perfect setting for pre-dinner drinks as the moon rises over the Crater rim.

The main activity here is game driving in the crater itself which is normally a daily 6 hour Ngorongoro Safari drive; in the vicinity of the lodge are Masaai villages, which can visited on the return from a game drive.

• Walk to the Ngorongoro Crater Rim: Head off on an adventurous walk to the Ngorongoro Crater Rim guided by a naturalist and rangers from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
• Search for the migration birds: One of Africa's most iconic moments - the migration of two million wildebeest, zebras and gazelles around the Serengeti-Maasai Mara ecosystem.
• Ngorongoro Crater game drvies: Explore the dormant volcanic caldera of the Ngorongoro Crater in a safari vehicle - this is a unique location for a game drive and the dramatic scenery really adds to the magic.
• Gane drives into the Serengeti: Explore the vast grasslands of the Serengeti with your safari guide on game drives in the early morning and late afternoon. This is one of the most famous national parks in Africa, and it's easy to see why.
• Flamingo watching at Lake Manyara: Harder to predict than the Great Migration, the Flamingo migration is equally incredible to witness as they descend on Lake Manyara in their thousands. An amazing photo opportunity or simply the chance to witness these spectacular birds in their element.
• Empakai crater daytrip: While a visit to the Ngorongoro Crater is an incredible experience, it is hard sometimes to escape the crowds there. Instead, explore on foot and discover the Empakai Crater, walking down the forested slopes to the lake shore below a birder's paradise.