Lemala Osonjoi Lodge
Near the Lemala Gate, Ngorongoro Conservation Area — Lemala Camps & Lodges
Lemala Osonjoi Lodge sits on a hill just back from the Ngorongoro Crater rim, named for the trees characteristic of the surrounding area. The lodge is conveniently positioned close to the Lemala Gate, giving guests an easy, scenic descent road into the crater with game viewing along the way.
Location and Landscape
The eastern quadrant of the Ngorongoro Crater, accessed via the Lemala Gate, sees fewer visitors than the more heavily used western side, particularly during the early morning and late afternoon hours that typically deliver the strongest game viewing. Game drives may start as early as 6am, putting guests on the crater floor within 10 to 15 minutes.
Accommodation
The lodge offers 20 luxurious guest suites — 16 standard suites and two two-bedroom suites — spaced well apart for privacy. Each suite accommodates a king-size bed, a slow-burning wood stove, warm winter-weight duvets and hot water bottles for the cool crater-rim nights, alongside a roomy en-suite bathroom with a dressing area, flush toilet and walk-in shower. Large picture windows look out over the surrounding forest.
Safari Experience
Game drives descend to the crater floor early to take advantage of the best light and lowest vehicle density. Osonjoi is one of the few Ngorongoro properties able to arrange a full catered lunch at a private site on the crater floor itself, allowing guests to spend an entire day in comfort without returning to the rim. A separate spa suite among the trees offers treatments amid forest views, and escorted walks are available along the rim and into the surrounding forest with an armed ranger.
When to Visit
The Ngorongoro Crater offers strong wildlife viewing year-round, given its enclosed, permanent-water ecosystem. One to two nights is generally recommended, typically as part of a wider northern Tanzania circuit.
Combining Lemala Osonjoi Lodge with Other Tanzania Destinations
Osonjoi completes a circuit alongside other Lemala properties — Hamerkop House in Arusha, Mpingo Ridge in Tarangire, and Nanyukie or Kuria Hills in the Serengeti — for travellers wanting to stay within a single operator across their entire northern Tanzania journey.
For Tanzania planning: Tanzania Safari Guide
For more accessible camps: Tanzania Safari Camps
If you are considering Lemala Osonjoi Lodge as part of a Tanzania safari, we would be pleased to begin with a conversation.