The Retreat at Ngorongoro Reviews

Amieke D 2026.10.25

     

Verified

Wonderful We arrived in the early evening and stayed for one night. We got beautiful, spacious and clean connecting rooms for the children, my husband and I to rest. The only critical feedback would be the beetle-like insects that came out of both shower drains, when we took our showers. We enjoyed the team that was very friendly and welcoming. The food was versatile and delicious in the evening as well as in the morning. Judith and her team took care of us in all wonderful and caring way and we would definitely recommend staying at this beautiful place.

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Trail52290182430 2026.10.23

     

Verified

5 stars Beautiful location, quiet atmosphere, easy wildlife visual. Resort garden one of the best in east Africa. Cooperative dining and kitchen staff - plenty of vegetarian items.

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Faith Mari 2026.10.22

     

A lovely place to experience the Karatu area from. The property is incredibly green and peaceful, and the gardens are very well cared for. We enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and the friendliness of the staff. It was also a comfortable base for our Ngorongoro Crater visit.

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Don Afristar 2026.10.22

     

Travelling solo can sometimes make hotel stays feel a little impersonal, but that wasn't the case here. Everyone was welcoming without making me feel fussed over. I loved having breakfast surrounded by greenery and spending some quiet time in the gardens. The room was comfortable and the entire property felt safe and peaceful.

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Andreas H 2026.10.22

     

Verified

Family-friendly we arrived in the afternoon and were welcomed very warmly. Our room our accommodation was spacious and nicely furnished. We enjoyed the time with the children at the . We had a lot of contact with the staff and were very pleased with their friendliness.

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Safari21999843965 2026.10.22

     

Verified

Super lodge nice clean delicious -would always come back Very nice clean accommodation. Super friendly, attentive and nice! Mega extensive buffet!

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Coastal00605395780 2026.10.21

     

Verified

**A Great Stay with Warm Hospitality at The Retreat at Ngorongoro Lodge** We had a very good overall experience at The Retreat at Ngorongoro Lodge, especially considering the property and the duration of our stay. The highlight was undoubtedly the **staff, who were warm, accommodating, and flexible**. Although the lodge offered a fixed menu, the team was happy to consider our requests for a few variations, which we truly appreciated. The food was delicious and well prepared. The only minor downside was the limited, set-menu selection, although we understand this may be due to the nature and setup of the property. We did encounter some plumbing issues in our room upon check-in. Ideally, these should have been identified by housekeeping or the operations team before the room was assigned. However, once we brought the matter to their attention, the team addressed it promptly. Overall, it was a lovely stay, made special by the team's hospitality and willingness to accommodate our needs. We hope to return on our next visit and spend more time enjoying the property and its surroundings. **Thank you to the entire team for making our stay a memorable one!**

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persefoni p 2026.10.20

     

Verified

Amazing experience! it was very, very good the people always smiling and kind! The room was very spacious and clean The food was perfect!

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Andy McL 2026.10.19

     

Verified

Colonial retreat Having spent a good portion of the day on the road, we were ready for a little luxury. The Retreat is colonial on design with stunning gardens. Pool is also great (if you like a cold pool). Room fantastic and very roomy with 4/5 start hotel facilities provided. Dinner was nice and service was reasonable. With it being a bigger place, it felt more corporate and a little less personal than lodges / camps we’d visited previously. Wouldn’t rush back, more because I was struggling with class divide between Massai tribe we visited and this high end accommodation. If you like a bit of luxury and enjoy gardens, this will be ideal. Special Mentions: Judy - very friendly and engaging. Service with a smile.

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Reply from The Retreat at Ngorongoro 2026.10.23

Dear Z5245MlandymThank you for your candid review. I am glad you enjoyed our fantastic rooms, stunning gardens, and the refreshing pool after your long drive.I completely understand your reflections on the contrast between high-end luxury and the traditional lifestyle of the Maasai community. At The Retreat at Ngorongoro, we intentionally challenge the narrative that safari accommodations must be basic. We believe that providing top-tier comfort honors our guests' once-in-a-lifetime journeys. More importantly, this level of luxury allows us to make a greater economic impact—creating high-quality employment, sourcing locally, and directly supporting community initiatives.I also appreciate your note about our size. We never want our hospitality to feel corporate, and I will work closely with our team to ensure our signature Tanzanian warmth and personal touch always shine through.Thank you for helping us grow. We wish you safe and meaningful travels.Warm regards,Guest relations,The Retreat at Ngorongoro

Jon Winchester 2026.10.17

     

Bring your camera. The gardens and surroundings at The Retreat at Ngorongoro are beautiful, especially early in the morning. There is so much greenery and birdlife around the property that I kept stopping to take photos. The cottages also have a lovely rustic-luxury feel. It's one of those places where you don't need to go anywhere for a few hours to enjoy yourself.

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Faraz C 2026.10.16

     

Verified

Best Retreat in Tanzania, No Contest My stay at the retreat was an amazing experience. As soon as you go through the gate you see the beauty of the architecture. The staff were very welcoming from the second I stepped out of our vehicle and were very helpful as well as friendly throughout the whole duration of my stay. The retreat provides many facilities that I was able to put to use such as a beautiful pool, a gym, and even a bon fire to sit around with the family at night. The view from the main building that overlooks the rest of the retreat is indescribable. They have a buffet style restaurant that also has a chef cooking custom meals. There wasn't a single thing that I didn't like from the selection of food, everything was delicious. The rooms were spacious. The quality of the bedding and furniture were perfect. They provide all the utilities you need. The environment is full of nature and has a very calming and relaxing vibe to it. I could go on forever talking about the positive aspects of this place. I will definitely be returning in the near future.

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farzana g 2026.10.13

     

Verified

Relax to the max Pictures do not do this resort justice. It’s peaceful, lush, and private. It’s immaculately kept and the staff are incredible. The food was excellent and there was a lot of variety. The grounds are covered in various plant life including fruits and vegetables and it feels like you’re walking through an enchanted wood. There’s a fishing pond as well which was so fun! It’s also fairly close to the ngorongoro crater, which made travelling on safari days easy and really allowed us to relax and unwind in between. There is an atmosphere that really lends itself towards unplugging and unwinding. What an amazing experience!

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vera 2026.10.12

     

Verified

Amazing stay in the green near Ngorongoro Wonderfull accommodation complex near the Ngorongoro Reservation Area. Beautiful rooms, friendly staff, good food. Amazing garden and greenery around the hotel villas.

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Salvador Torró 2026.10.11

     

Beautiful place surrounded by lush vegetation. The rooms were spotless, the gardens are wonderful, and the dining area is very pleasant and welcoming. They even lit a fire in our room, which made the evening feel really special. And the views are simply breathtaking. A wonderful place to stay!

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Laura S 2026.10.11

     

Verified

Amazing hotel for honeymoon safari We loved our stay here! We came for 2 nights during our safari and they made our honeymoon feel very special. It feels like you’re staying in a beautiful forest and the rooms are so wonderful and comfortable. All the staff is very helpful and welcoming. The food was also very fresh and delicious. My only wish is that I had more time during my stay to lay by the pool!

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Tommy Zivko 2026.10.11

     

Verified

Post-safari relaxation This Lodge was the last destination of our safari in Tanzania. Simply beautiful. The staff was super friendly and helpful, the location immersed in nature, and every accommodation warm and welcoming. The quantity and variety of the food was also truly fantastic. Nothing to say, impeccable.

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Maria Jennifer F 2026.10.10

     

Verified

The Retreat at Ngorongoro Always happy to come back to this serene and beautiful paradise. It is a peaceful hideaway that blends natural beauty, quiet spaces, and deep relaxation. The rooms were cozy and thoughtfully decorated with open air gathering patios and quiet spaces for reflection. On arrival we received a warm welcome and were offered a hot towel to freshen up and a cool refreshing drink. All The staff were very friendly and genuinely happy to see us. We enjoyed walking through the beautiful landscapes, trails, orchard and vegetable gardens. We also got to fish in the lake and also enjoyed the swimming pool. All our meals were fresh and delicious! Chef Sohan and his kitchen team were awesome .

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Saisha G 2026.10.09

     

Verified

Paradise on Earth This place is like paradise on Earth. It feels like an escape from the rest of the world. The food was amazing, and everything was incredibly clean. There are so many things to do like, a pool, beautiful walking trails, spa, and a gym. Something that really stood out to me is that the ingredients that are used in the are grown at the Retreat itself, and you can see them being grown. There is such huge variety of options at meals, and I loved everything I tried. It was quiet and peaceful, definitely deserving of being called a "retreat."

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bornbana1 2026.10.09

     

Verified

Strongly Recommend Very nice resort with exceptional service

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Lionel F 2026.10.08

     

Verified

True Serenity This was not my first time at the Retreat, and it definitely won’t be my last, it is a place so serene and peaceful it really lives up to the name. The drive there is so adventurous and beautiful, especially the closer you get to the Retreat - you really feel far away from all the noise and stress that the cities and traffic may bring. The room (king and a queen) was so luxurious and spacious: high ceilings, large living room, fireplace, and beautiful bathroom all while still maintaining the naturalistic decor. I usually don’t do walk around barefooted when on vacation but I felt so comfortable and clean at the Retreat. The welcoming party from the staff was wonderful, the view from the rear balcony out to the pool and trail was breathtaking, all while being surrounded by smiles and greetings from anyone passing by. There was a very nice gym with some humorous decorations that I enjoyed, and the food was fantastic - wide in variety, unique each day, and displayed beautifully, even a chef cooking your customized dish right in front of you. This is the perfect place to clear your mind, de-stress, and enjoy nature by yourself or with anyone who you bring along. The Retreat definitely takes good care of you.

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