The largest intact caldera in the world, the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania shelters one of the most beautiful wildlife havens anywhere. A permanent population of more than 30 000 animals inhabit a mere 260 km2 (100 square miles) in the 600 m (2 000 ft) deep crater, making this one of the few places in Africa where guests stand a great chance of seeing the entire Big Five in the course of a single game drive.

Unmatched for its natural variety, there are few places on earth where such a tremendous diversity of landscapes exist inside a region this size. Apart from its wildlife riches, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is also of great archaeological importance, with the remains of some of mankind's earliest ancestors discovered in the area. It also safeguards the interests of indigenous people and promotes tourism. Thus, guests on safari have the unique experience of seeing Maasai herdsmen whose cattle graze side by side with the tremendous variety of wildlife found in the area.

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. Buffalo and zebra wandering the grounds and tall Maasai warriors in traditional dress escorting guests to their rooms contribute to an atmosphere of African mystique and romance.

Guests can be forgiven for losing track of which era, or even continent, they are experiencing at Ngorongoro Crater Lodge. In this place of dramatic contrasts, where Versailles meets Maasai, anything is possible and the natural luxury of the breathtakingly beautiful setting ensures the dramatic interior of your suite blends perfectly with its stilted thatch architecture.

Ngorongoro Crater Lodge has been 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 to provide warm, personal service to each guest. Brocade sofas and Persian rugs invite guests 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, ensures that the setting, as well as the meal, is one you will never forget.

Breakfast: As the dawn begins to tinge the morning sky, a soft knock on the door announces your butler with a wake-up call and a fragrant cup of tea or coffee. An air of anticipation for the day ahead hangs over the breakfast table as the morning meal is served.

Lunch: Stop at one of the designated picnic sites on the Crater floor for a delicious packed lunch. Surrounded by some of Africa's most iconic scenery,as well as masses of wildlife, the appetite is sharper and the taste buds awakened. Continue of your wildlife adventure after lunch, returning to the Lodge in the early afternoon.

Afternoon Tea: Indulge in a decadent afternoon tea or a sundowner cocktail as you watch the play of light on the breathtaking Crater views from the comfort of your private suite.

Dinner: Mouthwatering tastes and delicate textures do their best to distract guests from the splendour of the Lodge's dining room. Magnificent designs delight the eye, while fragrances and flavours tempt the palate.

An estimated 25 000 mammals are resident in the Crater, including large herds of resident wildebeest, 16 highly endangered black rhino and around 70 lions. Nomadic cheetah move in and out of the area and leopard are most often encountered in the Lerai Forest. Both golden and black-backed jackal are abundant, while the normally shy and nocturnal serval are frequently spotted during daylight hours. Vast numbers of buffalo, zebra and Thomson's gazelle also occur. Large numbers of both lion and spotted hyena are also resident in the Crater.

Although it lies in the tropics, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area's high altitude is responsible for its temperate climate. The lowest, driest and warmest climate is experienced in the western plains and the Olduvai Gorge, which lie in the rain shadow of the Ngorongoro Crater. Moist air from the coast forms regular rain clouds on the southeastern slopes and rim, while the far side does not usually experience the same conditions.

The Lerai Forest, the permanent marshes on the Crater floor and the highland meadows provide the best sightings of elephant in the Crater area. The dense forest on the slopes and rim of the Crater provides shelter for the giant tuskers, which pass silently through the forest depths, some even visiting the lodge gardens after dark. Elephant are not the only visitors to the lodge, with buffalo occasionally taking a nocturnal stroll through the grounds. A triumph of conservation efforts, buffalo were once completely absent from the Crater floor but have returned in large numbers.

While more often associated with the Great Migration in other parts of Tanzania, both zebra and wildebeest are permanently resident in the Crater. Thomson's gazelle, which often join the wildebeest and zebras on their migration, are also more sedentary in the area, grazing the grasslands in the company of the larger animals. The saline waters of Lake Magadi attract both the lesser and the greater flamingo, with flocks of several thousand forming when the lake is low. Other bird species on the Crater floor include the ostrich and the Kori bustard, the world's heaviest flying bird.

Daily game drives: Due to the time that it takes to descent to the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater, only one daily game drive is conducted at this Lodge. Guests leave in the early morning in closed safari vehicles with pop-up roofs, accompanied by an expert ranger. A scenic drive to the Crater floor allows plenty of time to admire the spectacular views. The road descends through the lush forests that blanket the rim and upper slopes of the Crater, where buffalo and elephant may be spotted. Once inside the Crater, game drives explore the grassy Crater floor, the haunting fever tree forest, the banks of Lake Magadi, as well as the marshes that surround it. Guests enjoy a picnic lunch, surrounded by the vast herds of buffalo, zebra, wildebeest and gazelle.

Other activities on offer at Ngorongoro Crater Lodge include:

• Private guided safari
• Crater floor banquet
• Sundowners at Seneto viewpoint
• Maasi warrior dancing.

Rates are quoted per person per night sharing.

What is included:

• Accommodation
• Three meals daily
• Soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits and beers
• Teas and coffees
• Refreshments on game drives
• Laundry
• Scheduled safari activities
• Emergency medical evacuation insurance.

Please note: No single supplement is charged for the first two single rooms of a booking at Ngorongoro Crater Lodge. National park fees and Crater fees are not included in the above mentioned rates - these are charged per 24-hour period.