Lemala Camps and Lodges has officially opened its newest property, Lemala Osonjoi Lodge, situated on the eastern rim of Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater.
Located at nearly 2,500 meters above sea level, the new safari lodge offers guests access to one of Africa’s most renowned conservation areas while emphasizing a model of low-impact, community-integrated tourism.
According to Lemala, the property is the first high-end lodge to open in this location in over a decade. It is designed to offer early-morning and late-afternoon access to the Crater floor, a time when wildlife sightings are often at their best.
The lodge is positioned just outside the Lemala Gate, near one of the least-used descent roads into the Crater, offering guests a quieter, less crowded safari experience.
This location provides opportunities for viewing rare species, including black rhino and big cats, and also enables fully catered private lunches within the Crater itself.
The design of Lemala Osonjoi Lodge reflects a commitment to both environmental sustainability and cultural authenticity.
According to Travel Daily News, the property consists of 20 suites, including two family units, all constructed with recycled and locally sourced materials.
The interiors incorporate volcanic glassware, hand-finished timbers, and textiles made by local women’s cooperatives. Each suite is designed to respond to the cool mountain climate with features such as wood stoves, winter duvets, and heated spa amenities.
“Osonjoi was created to feel like it belongs here, not imposed on the landscape, but emerging naturally from it,” said Leanne Haigh, CEO of Lemala Camps & Lodges.
“This is a retreat for travelers seeking depth as well as comfort. An experience that is slower, more intuitive, and grounded in place.”
The lodge operates entirely off-grid, powered by solar energy, and has eliminated single-use plastics. It also integrates employment and economic participation from neighboring Maasai communities, aiming to foster long-term investment in education and women’s empowerment.
Beyond its accommodations and safari access, Lemala Osonjoi offers a variety of activities including guided rim walks with Maasai naturalists, wellness treatments, and cultural programs. The forest spa suite includes what is described as the only indoor heated pool in the Ngorongoro area.
Lemala Osonjoi Lodge now completes the company’s circuit of properties in northern Tanzania, connecting with sister lodges in Arusha, Tarangire, and the Serengeti.
This alignment offers business advantages for travel operators by creating seamless overland or fly-in itineraries that minimize transit time while distributing tourist traffic more evenly across the region.
For outdoor hospitality business owners, Lemala’s approach offers a model of how high-end, conservation-focused lodging can balance luxury with sustainability.
Its integration of community partnerships, off-grid systems, and extended guest experiences may be of interest to operators considering how to diversify offerings while reducing environmental impact and contributing to local development.
The lodge began accepting guests this month, marking a significant addition to Tanzania’s highland safari infrastructure.
Featured image by Lemala Camps and Lodges via lemalacamps.com