17/05/2011

South Africa, Namibia: African follies n°3!

Ngorongoro Crater Lodge: a delicious blend of genres

Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is in the heart of Tanzania. On the edge of an impressive crater often called the eighth wonder of the world, like a savage kiss planted at an altitude of 2,000 metres, with a panoramic décor for view. The perfect blend of elegant colonial style and architecture which pays tribute to surrounding African culture, this establishment is atypical and extremely refined. Each room camped atop stilts offers a special little bonus to make it exceptional. What is this bonus? First the view on this three million-year old volcano, today covered with vegetation, hemmed by a lake and coloured green, mauve and ochre. Then the decoration, which could be called Afro-Baroque. Here, crystal chandeliers hang from banana-leaf ceilings, the beds are Zanzibar four poster, mirrors and lights shine in the midst of baobabs… Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is clearly something else, with a dramatic beauty that is surprising and moving. Like a homage to past grandeur and pomp.

Made up of three very luxurious camps of six to twelve suites, the hotel offers impressions of Africa that are each more glamorous than the next. Large bay windows to let the light in, tones of ruby, gold and silver… architect Silvio Rech and interior decorator Chris Brown both wanted to create an offbeat place. Unusual, yes, but definitely warm, inviting and convivial. When evening comes and the mist settles down in the crater, snuggle into an easy chair in front of the fireplace, in the privacy of your room or in the living area, while waiting for a candlelit dinner perfumed by a carpet of rose petals at your feet. Every morning, the site is ready for a new exploration. 25,000 animals have been counted in the region, and safaris are organised. Thanks to its exclusive location, the hotel also offers an ideal observation point for watching the Maasai come down the volcano’s slopes, wrapped in their vibrant woven clothes and decked out in colourful necklaces, escorting their animals to drink. You can feel the power of Africa, pulsing. The Ngorongoro Crater Lodge fits in perfectly here, a unique place, conducive to dreams, with a solid dose of magic.