Turaco Ngorongoro Valley, a Tribute Portfolio Lodge

What can I say about the Turaco lodge in Ngorongoro? This was an oasis of peace, tranquility and above all boundless kindness threaded with the luxury you would expect from a boutique hotel. The rooms are large and exceptionally comfortable and as a family of 5 were perfectly suited to our needs. After a long day of Safari retiring to our rooms was a delight. Toiletries in the bathroom of a high standard. There was even the offer to set up a roaring fire in the room - we took this up each night we stayed. The food was of a very high standard - the head waiter Omar ensured that every dietary need was catered for and the South African wine selection was good. The heated outdoor swimming pool was a God send for our children who used it to relax after a long day in the car and the fitness centre well kitted out. The snooker table was also a source of entertainment for the whole family. All in all we could not have wished for a better experience here and I can’t imagine this could have been topped - safe, comfortable and luxurious, we didn’t want to leave! Final thank you to Daniel, Hotel Manager who constantly checked in our own experience and well being.

The property is actually nicer than the pictures suggest. Beautifully maintained gardens with lush surroundings. The room was quite unique boasting a separate sitting area and fireplace. Very spacious with a nice patio to sit and unwind with a cold beverage. Huge bath room with separate shower and oversized tub. The staff was very attentive. Basso was great and helped me book a very last minute safari to Ngorongoro Crater, which is only about 20 mins away. Lake Maynara National Park is a hidden gem in the area and also near this property. The restaurant is beautiful and the French chef produced some fantastic dishes. Had some excellent seafood and a local Tanzanian dish which was excellent. Wine selection was very limited but it did the job. There’s an upstairs lounge area with a bar which was also very nice and inviting. It started raining one particular night after dinner, and there was someone waiting with an umbrella to walk me back to the room. Thought that was a nice touch. I chose to rent a car and drive from Arusha which is about 2.5 -3 hours away. Most people wouldn’t go this route and it’s understandable. I found the roads to be in mostly good condition. There were some challenges but all went well. Beware of goats and people on the road. The final few miles to the property are on a dirt road. While it slows things down it adds to the charm of where Turaco is located. I wouldn’t recommend driving at night. I was at Turaco during low season - so I felt I had the property to myself. The sound of rain at night on the foliage made for a soothing nights sleep. Even though it was the rainy season I was able to use the pool and get some sun. The staff was attentive and checked up on me poolside. Overall Turaco exceeded my expectations to the point I even extended my stay. If your planning on visiting Ngorongoro Crater or any of the nearby parks this is wonderful oasis and I look forward to returning here.

We had originally booked in for just one night on our way up to Ngorongoro but it was so good that we decided to change our return booking from a different hotel back to this one! The setting is superb, the rooms are outstanding and the food was very good. The staff were also excellent. Many thanks for a great couple of stays Dan & Anne