For the spectacular view alone, Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge would be an enviable home base for a vacation in Tanzania. Set alone, high on the eastern rim of Ngorongoro Crater UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge caters for cost-conscious explorers for whom rich wildlife, beautiful surroundings and a view from the crater rim are more important than luxurious living or a tented experience. But Sopa Lodge offers unusual standards of design and convenience for AfricanMecca guests. Steeply rising terraces of thatched rondavels are accessed by stepped walks between walled flower beds in a landscaped setting against a backdrop of rain forest, inhabited by a wide variety of African fauna in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Here, native Maasai herdsmen lead their cattle to graze in a balanced ecosystem designed for the sustainable co-habitation of pastoralists, indigenous animals and the tourists whose desire for a wilderness experience on an African holiday makes it all possible. Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge sits almost 7500 feet above sea level and 2,000 feet above the floor of a ten-mile wide collapsed volcanic cauldron where a plethora of magnificent animals live in a balanced microcosm of varied habitats: deceptively harmless-looking hippopotamus wallow in the marshes; massive horned buffalo wander by the swamp and plains, reclusive leopard and inquisitive monkeys inhabit the fever-tree forests and stilt-legged pink flamingos pose in the central lake. The vast plains are home to wildebeest, buxom zebra, and graceful eland and gazelle, trailed by expectant prides of lion, heavy-bellied cheetah and slinking hyena, iconic wildlife images of a safari in Africa.
Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge split-level reception area and lobby are vast and colorful with a high, domed ceiling, wide bay windows and a magnificent view. There is a gift shop, internet cafe, bar, TV lounge and canopied verandah overlooking a large, unheated outdoor swimming pool. Swimming can be a breathless effort at this altitude. 97 spacious en-suite rooms accommodate 376 maximum numbers of guests on tour in Tanzania staying at the lodge. Most have excellent views of the Ngorongoro Crater from cane rocking chairs on glassed-in balconies. Because it can be quite cool at this altitude, central heating and wall-to wall carpeting are standard. No mosquito nets are necessary due to the high altitude and coolness. All 91 double rooms have two queen beds (maximum 4 AfricanMecca guests) with curtained dressing area, and en-suite bathroom with hand basin, WC, bidet and shower. The room also has a writing desk, fridge with bottled water and mini-safe. A mini-bar, hairdryer, laundry and baby-sitting services are available on request. Complimentary bath sundries include tissues, soap, shower gel and shower hat. Hot water pumped and heated from local springs and a borehole, is only provided between 5 and 8 o’clock morning and evening. The lodge has three generators. Power is limited, so candle-lit dining is complemented. Families on safari and independent groups are very welcomed and the norms of independent travelers and couples.
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