Ngorongoro Crater Sopa Lodge is a lavishly decorated, slightly older establishment on the eastern aspect of the Ngorongoro Crater. The unusual style of the hotel apparently dates from the late 1980s, but it is evidently nostalgic for the previous decade. The views of the Ngorongoro Crater itself are the best of any of the lodges on the Crater rim.

The Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge is based around an impressive glass-fronted central atrium that overlooks the swimming pool (although few are prepared to brave the highland chill and actually swim in it). To the left and right are located the lounge and the restaurant, vast, yet inviting, rooms focused around rageing fires, which, after a chilly evening drive, can be the perfect way to relax.

The restaurant has a good reputation and excellent atmosphere when the central open fires are burning, and guests make the most of the necessity of retiring from safari early when the crater closes by enjoying long and leisurely meals. The views are excellent, and the element of kitsch can be fun.

Each of the 92 rooms is well presented, spacious and warm, and they all have a glass-fronted veranda from which to enjoy crater views. They also have the added attraction of both bathtubs and showers.

This is a lovely hotel with good service, standards and ideal position on the crater rim. It has quite rightly gained a strong following, but is popular with larger groups. A large bonus in staying here is that for a couple of hours in the crater you will be on your own only with other Sopa clients, as opposed to the other side of the rim that shares the access road between 5 or 6 hotels

Read more about this place.

Written by  marc_harris.

Add comment

Comments, reviews and questions

There are no posts. Why not be the first to have your say?

Add a comment, review or question

Make a comment Ask a question Write a review

Review title

Your comment

Your rating

Choose rating... Don't go Go Must go

Your name

Your email address