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Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge

This is one of the giant hotel options on the rim of the Crater. Accommodation is simple - similar to that of a Holiday Inn and the food very basic. Since accommodation options in this popular area are limited, the Sopa is a good value option. You may feel like one of the numbers here.

The Sopas road to access the crater is much smoother than that of the other lodges, so this can be a consideration to people who are extremely sensitive to the bumps in the road.

 — Mango's view

The Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge is located on Lemala Hill on the uppermost, eastern rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, a World Heritage Site, in the volcanic highlands of northern Tanzania. The crater forms part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area which covers 8,300 sq km. This site has been set aside to preserve and integrate the diverse values and interests of wildlife, local people, archaeology, flora, tourism and the areas environment and ecology.

The Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge is, and will remain, the only tourist development on the eastern rim of the crater and thus offers our guests unique and spectacular views down into the crater floor and of the sunsets over the western horizon. Another major advantage of this site that guests can enjoy is the fact that their crater safari begins within five minutes of leaving the lodge.

Opened in 1992, the lodge can accommodate 186 guests in 96 suites, each enjoying wall-to-wall carpeting, central heating, a private lounge with a mini-bar, a bedroom with two queen size beds and ample room for a third, an en-suite bathroom with shaver sockets and a hair dryer, as well as a private solarium which offers stunning views either down into the crater floor below or of the setting sun over the western horizon.

The lodge has direct-dial satellite telephone facilities as well as satellite television and wildlife film options, electricity 24 hours a day, complimentary bottled mineral water is provided in the mini-bars while further stocks are available for sale in the main bar. Kids of all ages are welcome and can be catered to. The curio shop is also a stop not to be missed.

The swimming pool provides a spectacular view as it is situated right on the crater edge. The water is bracing, even invigorating to say the least, at any time of year. However, for those who would prefer the warmth of a shower or bath in their suite, the pool is a perfect area to unwind and relax while enjoying the views of the crater floor below or of the sunsets in the evenings.

With an altitude of 2,375 meters, the lodge experiences cool and even cold weather, especially during the winter months of June and July when temperatures can get as low as 10C or 50F. However, guests enjoy some sunshine during most of the year and must take care when sunbathing due to the altitude. Rain can normally be expected between November and May.

The evenings and early mornings can be cool and sometimes cold, so we recommend sweaters and light jackets, bearing in mind that the temperatures down in the crater itself are always a lot warmer than those on the rim.

Includes: All meals, laundry & safari activities