Reviews of Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge
Wildlife sightings and reviews
23 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
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"An amazing position"
The back of the hotel which was like being on a precipice looking over the pool and down into a vast caldera and its squally changing micro climate was fascinating to see giving an air of mystery to the whole crater rim." See all these reviews: 6n in Tanzania; 5n in Zanzibar; 1n in Kenya; 1n in Zimbabwe
"Convenient to the Crater Entrance"
The food is fine - nothing special, but we weren't expecting a gourmet experience. The staff was generally good. The very best reason for staying at Sopa is its proximity to the Crater entrance - we were always among the first few cars into the Crater each morning, as the entrance gate is just a few minutes away from the lodge.
One aspect of the Sopa Lodge experience which could be improved upon is their box breakfasts, which included a strange assortment of things: a full sized candy bar, a bag of flavored chips (crisps), peanuts, together with buns and a cold sausage." See all these reviews: 12n in Tanzania
"Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge review"
"Two night stay"
"Fantastic Lodge, stunning views, large rooms."
We then continued our drive, climbing higher up the side of the Ngorongoro Crater to the rim. The Lodge was a beautiful building with stunning views of the crater, huge rooms with balconies overlooking the crater. The room had everything we needed for our stay and was quite luxurious.
Our driver organised picnic lunches so we could do a day drive into the crater. It was wonderful and we saw many different animals including 2 black rhino in the distance. There were flamingoes on the lake and pelicans at the picnic spot. The crater is a fascinating place with a diverse range of animals and habitats and well worth visiting." See all these reviews: 7n in Tanzania; 7n in Kenya
"Hard to leave the Lodge its too nice!"
Top notch except for boxed breakfast packs which were terrible. Chips and a candy bar in a breakfast pack? Really?" See all these reviews: 5n in Tanzania; 5n in Zanzibar
"Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge review"
We had chosen to stay there because of its wonderful location right on the crater rim and its closeness to the eastern descent road which meant that we were the first vehicle into the crater on the day we visited.
Although the lodge is busy the staff were very attentive and the food was good. Evening meals alternated between a set menu with choices on one night and a buffet on the next. The choice of food was good though some of the buffet food we chose was luke warm ( a little surprising as we went into dinner shortly after the restaurant opened).
On our first night the restaurant staff brought us an anniversary cake accompanied by singing from the Lodge choir which was a nice touch." See all these reviews: 10n in Tanzania; 1n in Kenya
"Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge review"
Food choice and quality was excellent. Again the table service from Joseph was excellent and as our children were very tired he speeded up the service to enable them to quickly go to bed.
We were able to ask for Breakfast boxes so that we could go in to the crater early. The children were even able to request pancakes in their breakfast box, which was done without fuss by the catering staff.
Massai dancers came in and danced in foyer which was interesting. (I caught a 48 hour stomach bug here - I was the only one in the family to get it, but I chose different dishes from the rest of the family, But then equally it could have been the lunch boxes which were in a hot vehicle for 8 hours as we left before breakfast)" See all these reviews: 7n in Tanzania; 5n in Zanzibar
"Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge review"
If I were to go there again I would stay “off crater” at somewhere like Gibb’s Farm" See all these reviews: 12n in Tanzania; 4n in Zanzibar
"Comfortable lodging on the crater rim"
Orientation (facing West) is not ideal, at least in May-June, as crater was socked in by fog and clouds in the morning and the view was overpowered by the glare of the setting sun in the afternoon. Facilities and rooms were very nice. However, there was a tendency to raise expectations as a luxury facility that were not really realized in terms of food and service. But nevertheless a fine site for a Crater rim experience." See all these reviews: 14n in Tanzania
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Other lodges in Ngorongoro Crater
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Plantation Lodge
A relaxed base between Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara, Plantation Lodge has lush grounds and offers good value and high standards.
Gibbs Farm
Located not far from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Gibb's Farm has comfy rooms, homegrown food and strong community links
Lemala Ngorongoro
Lemala Ngorongoro is a small, comfortable tented camp on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater with lovely walking in the vicinity.
Entamanu Ngorongoro
Opened in 2016, Entamanu Ngorongoro is a small camp high on the Crater rim with views towards the crater and the plains of the Serengeti.
Crater Lodge
The ultra-luxurious Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is perched in a spectacular location on the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater.
The Highlands
The Highlands is a unique camp near Olmoti Crater, north of Ngorongoro, offering drives, walks and cultural visits from a beautiful remote setting.
Rhino Lodge
Rhino Lodge is a simple, good-value lodge with a great location near the crater rim, in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Farmhouse Lodge
Ngorongoro Farmhouse Lodge is set on a 750-acres working farm. Close to the NCA gate, it makes a great base for exploring the Crater.
Rhotia Valley Ttd. Lodge
Rhotia Valley is a simple lodge with a strong commitment to the local community, including a children's home, which guests may visit.
Ngorongoro Serena
The large, hotel-like Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge sits on the western rim of Ngorongoro Crater and has stunning views of the caldera.
Bougainvillea Lodge
Bougainvillea Safari Lodge provides an economical base from which to visit Lake Manyara or the Ngorongoro Crater.
The Manor
The Manor is a smart, family-friendly Cape-Dutch-style lodge, offering high-quality service and food in very comfortable surroundings.
Neptune Ngorongoro
Neptune Ngorongoro Luxury Lodge is a smart hilltop lodge with log-style cottages set close to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Wildlife Lodge
Stay at the Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge while on road safari in Northern Tanzania's spectacular Ngorongoro Crater area.
Crater's Edge
Craters Edge is an intimate luxury property on the north-eastern rim of the Ngorongoro Crater.
Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp
A small tented camp, located on the eastern side of the Ngorongoro Crater rim, with a five minute drive to crater descent gate.
Lion's Paw
Located on the eastern rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, this camp has stunning panoramic views down onto the crater floor. A five minute drive to the nearest descent gate allows for early access into the crater, maximising on avoiding the large crowds
Ngorongoro Fly-Camp
Explore the remote northern rim of the Ngorongoro Crater on a two-day hike and spend the night in this small fly-camp.
Country Lodge
Country Lodge is conveniently located on the edge of Karatu and provides a comfortable base for exploring Ngorongoro Crater or Lake Manyara.
