Serengeti Sopa Lodge: Our full report
The 73-room Serengeti Sopa Lodge, located in the south-western section of Tanzania's Serengeti National Park, ...
... is spread out along the top of a hill with views across the Serengeti plains. It is one of the larger lodges in the Serengeti, and is frequently busy with big tour groups.Opened in 1992, the Serengeti Sopa Lodge is part of the Sopa chain which also includes the Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge and Tarangire Sopa Lodge. Large yet fairly personal, it is accessed up a steep, rocky track in a bushy part of the Serengeti National Park.
There are 69 standard rooms and four suites at the lodge. All are located in two wings on either side of the main area and accessed from long, open corridors.
- The standard rooms – eight of them inter-connecting, so suitable for families – are set on two floors. All are very similar: simple, functional and rather dated. On the plus side though, they are spacious and comfortable with huge glass windows to make the most of the views and sliding doors that lead out to a balcony.
Each room is entered via a lobby furnished with a table and chair and a minibar that is filled on request. In the bedroom, with sisal carpet on the floors, you'll find two double beds with mosquito netting along with clothes hanging space, a digital safe and a hairdryer.The en-suite bathrooms are decorated in bright-blue mosaic tiles with yellow walls and have a flush toilet, a single basin and a spacious shower. - The four suites are double-storey and much larger than the standard rooms. They, too, are entered via their own lobbies but here the décor is incredibly bright with vibrant primary colours. There is a lounge on the ground floor with a baraza bench and a small café-style table plus a tea and coffee bar and a sink. A spiral staircase leads to the bedroom and bathroom upstairs. Both the lounge and bedroom have plenty of space to relax, including numerous sofas and a king-size platform bed, and both have a balcony – though the one upstairs is very small and shadeless. In addition there's a curiously conceived outdoor space at the back of the bedroom, leading off the double-shower room.
The suites are kitted out in a similar way to the standard rooms with the addition of a standing fan for hot evenings. The en-suite bathroom has double basins, large twin showers and a flushing toilet – and there is a large bath actually in the bedroom!
The main bar, the Agama Bar, features a terracotta cement floor, brightly coloured walls and upholstered wrought-iron chairs and tables. There are large windows on three sides, maximising the fantastic views beyond, and a shady terrace has more tables and chairs. The dining room has a long buffet area to one side, where most meals are served. The hotel has good wheelchair access throughout.
In front of the lawn, a large swimming pool, surrounded by cream-coloured sunloungers and sunshades, is overlooked by a sizeable and well-stocked pool bar. The lodge also has a small gym (with cross-trainer, bench press and step machine, and great views to gaze on as you sweat), a TV room and a curio shop. The Sopa Lodge can also cater for conferences, with a large conference room able to cater for up to 100 people.
Serengeti Sopa is in a particularly good spot to see the wildebeest migration passing through around May, and has good resident game all year round. It
does not have any of its own guides, however, so you will need to organise game drives with your own private vehicle.
Our view
Serengeti Sopa Lodge is a fun and bright – albeit not very stylish. It is in a great part of the Serengeti to watch the migration and to enjoy resident game with your own vehicle and guide. The staff are very friendly and, considering the size of the lodge, it feels quite personal. It is also good value and family friendly, so for those who prefer a hotel-style lodge – with all the amenities of a large hotel – to a smaller intimate tented camp, this is a really good option.
Tanzania expert
Geographics
- Location
- Serengeti Migration Area, Tanzania
- Ideal length of stay
- 2–3 nights is ideal, especially during the migration, to explore this part of the Serengeti.
- Directions
- Serengeti Sopa Lodge is a one-hour drive (61km) from the Serengeti Naabi Hill gate and about a 50-minute drive (45km) from Seronera Airstrip; however most guests will drive here with their own vehicle and guide.
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board
- Food quality
- We last visited Serengeti Sopa Lodge in February 2018 we did not have chance to eat, however in the past we have found the food to consistently be of a reasonable standard, not particularly fancy, but tasty and filling . For the main meals, where there are fewer than 60 guests at the lodge, the service at lunch and dinner is a la carte. When more guests are in-house, a buffet system is standard.
The breakfast is always a buffet with cereals, fruit, yoghurt and bread. There is also a selection of hot items such as bacon, sausage, baked beans, tomatoes and eggs cooked to order.
Most guests spend a full day game viewing in the park, and are provided with a packed lunch. For those staying at the lodge, lunch is a three-course meal, with choices for each course. On a previous visit we had chicken satay with a sweet chilli dip and then clear vegetable soup to start. The main course was a choice of beefburger and fries, pan-fried red snapper or chilli chicken quesadilla. For dessert we could opt for either a strawberry mousse or a fruit platter.
Dinner is usually Ă la carte and served to the table, although it will be a buffet if the lodge is full . Occasionally they have special themed nights. On a previous visit we had a really tasty Africa buffet, which included Ethiopian beef stew, chapati, ugali (thick corn porridge) and kachumbari (tomato and onion salad).
The lodge can arrange for special meals such as bush lunches, private poolside dining or BBQ nights (for 50+ guests), all at an extra cost of US$40–70 per person. - Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- Serengeti Sopa Lodge can do room service on request, but there are no phones in the rooms so it has to be arranged in advance.
- Drinks included
- Drinks are not included, but you can expect to pay about US$4 for a beer or US$30 for a bottle of wine.
Drinking water is supplied in bottles, which are brought in from Arusha.
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Serengeti Sopa Lodge welcomes children of all ages
- Property’s age restrictions
- There are no age restrictions at the Serengeti Sopa Lodge.
- Special activities & services
- Games are available in the TV room and there is also a swimming pool to keep children entertained during the heat of the day.
Childminding is available, but parents should note that the housekeeping staff are not professionally trained in childcare. The Serengeti Sopa Lodge can also do special meals for children. - Equipment
- Serengeti Sopa Lodge has cots and high chairs.
- Generally recommended for children
- Yes
- Notes
- The pool is large with an expansive lounge area, requiring parental supervision of children. Some rooms have high balconies of which parents should be aware.
Communications
- Power supply notes
- Power is available 24 hours a day. Most electricity comes via solar panels, however a backup generator is also used.
- Communications
- Free WiFi is available in the main areas, and we are told that there are plans to make WiFi available in the bedrooms.
- TV & radio
- Serengeti Sopa Lodge has a TV room with satellite television.
- Water supply
- Borehole
- Water supply notes
- Bathrooms are fully plumbed. Hot water for showers is available from 6.00–9.00am and from 6.00–9.00pm.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- Serengeti Sopa Lodge has a resident health professional whose services are free. They also have links to flying doctors in case of medical emergency.
- Dangerous animals
- High Risk
- Security measures
- There are plenty of askaris (guards) around the property 24 hours a day. Guests are escorted to their rooms at night in case of wildlife wandering around. A TANAPA (Tanzanian National Parks) ranger is permanently located at the lodge.
- Fire safety
- There are fire extinguishers in the main areas and between the rooms. Evacuation notices with the assembly point indicated are posted in all the rooms. There is also a fire-break around the lodge.
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Hot air ballooning
Extras
- Disabled access
- In Place
- Laundry facilities
- Laundry is available at an extra charge of around US$1 per item.
- Money
- Serengeti Sopa Lodge can exchange small amounts of cash in US dollars, euros and British pounds.
- Accepted payment on location
- You can usually settle your bill in US dollars, British pounds, euros or Tanzanian shillings cash. You can also use Visa, Mastercard and Amex at no additional charge.
Other lodges in Serengeti Migration Area
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Olakira Camp
Comfortable, friendly and relaxed, Olakira Camp moves between the Mara River and the southern Ndutu area, in line with the wildebeest migration.
Sayari Camp
In the northern Serengeti, near the Mara River, luxurious Sayari Camp offers excellent wildife all year – boosted further by the wildebeest migration.
Nomad Serengeti Camp
Serengeti Safari Camp is a well-appointed tented camp that moves several times a year to follow the predicted path of the migration.
Dunia Camp
Dunia Camp is well located for the migration from December to March, and has excellent game viewing for the rest of the year.
Namiri Plains Camp
Namiri Plains is one of the best camps in the Serengeti and its remoteness ensures a fantastic wildlife experience away from the crowds.
Lamai Serengeti
Set high in the kopjes with fantastic views, Lamai Serengeti offers top service and guiding and good migration sightings from Jul-Oct.
Ubuntu Camp
Ubuntu Camp has several locations in the Serengeti, following the wildebeest migration, so it is often in a great location to see the herds.
Kati Kati Camp
Kati Kati is a small, very simple bushcamp, which is well-positioned to explore the wildlife-rich Seronera area.
Ndutu Safari Lodge
Large and economical, but not luxurious, Ndutu Safari Lodge is well located in the southern Serengeti, so book early to get space.
Serian Serengeti
Serian Serengeti is a mobile tented operation run by Alex Walker which moves between two locations following the wildebeest migration.
Klein's Camp
Klein's Camp, in a private area of the northern Serengeti, sets high standards. Activities include walks, nights drives and Maasai village visits.
Serengeti under Canvas
Two of the three Serengeti under Canvas camps move through the Serengeti National Park every few months to follow the wildebeest migration.
Grumeti River Camp
Grumeti River Camp offers a laid-back atmosphere combined with top service, first-rate food, expert guiding and an excellent location.
Lemala Kuria Hills
Lemala Kuria Hills is a luxury permanent camp that is ideally located for wildlife all year around, but especially during the wildebeest migration.
Lemala Ewanjan
Lemala Ewanjan is a comfortable and stylish tented camp in the Seronera area of the central Serengeti National Park.
Lemala Mara-Ndutu
Lemala Mara-Ndutu is a semi-permanent camp that moves between the north and south of the Serengeti to witness the wildebeest migration.
Lemala Nanyukie
Lemala Nanyukie is a stylish camp located in the quieter part of the central Serengeti.
Lobo Wildlife Lodge
The large Lobo Wildlife Lodge has simple, functional rooms in a stunning location. It's a good base for exploring the north-eastern Serengeti.
Kubu Kubu
Kubu Kubu is a contemporary, tented lodge, well located in the central Seronera area of the Serengeti National Park.
Serengeti Walking Mobile
This fairly simple camp offers only walking activities, but it's very well done and combines well with more conventional camps or lodges.
Mbalageti Lodge
Mbalageti is a well-run lodge in a quiet part of the Serengeti's western corridor – an ideal location during the Apr-Jun migration.
Serengeti Serena
The Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge is a large, hotel-style lodge and a good family-friendly base from which to explore the central Serengeti.
Kusini Camp
Kusini Camp is permanent, luxury camp located on a beautiful kopje in a quiet, wildlife-rich corner of the south-west Serengeti.
Migration Camp
Serengeti Migration Camp is a smart tented camp, good for the wildebeest migration from Jul–Aug, or to explore the Lobo Kopjes any time.
Mkombe's House Lamai
Mkombe's House Lamai is a fully staffed private house in the Wogakuria Kopjes district of Serengeti National Park.
Singita Mara River
Singita Mara River Tented Camp is a luxurious camp in the isolated and rewarding Lamai wedge region of the northern Serengeti.
Olmara Camp
With just eight guest tents, including two family tents and three signature stargazer tents, Olmara is a simple, family-friendly camp with a wonderfully attentive team. The camp captures an authentic bush experience, welcoming travellers of every kind.
Serengeti Green Camp
Serengeti Green Camp is a comfortable camping experience, in your own private safari camp and at the heart of a great wildlife area.
Sasakwa Lodge
On a hill looking over the Serengeti plains, Sasakwa Lodge is grand, luxurious safari camp, one of the most opulent properties in Tanzania.
Faru Faru Lodge
On the north bank of the Grumeti River, Faru Faru is a small, chic hideaway in this exclusive corner of the Serengeti.
Kirurumu Migration Camp
Kirurumu is a rustic tented camp which moves around the Serengeti twice a year to follow the wildebeest migration.
Sabora Tented Camp
Sabora Tented Camp is a smart tented camp – one of the most luxurious, professional and stylish properties to be found in Tanzania.
Four Seasons Serengeti
The Four Seasons Safari Lodge is the only hotel in the Serengeti offering international facilities such as a gym, spa and children’s club.
Nimali Mara
Nimali Mara is a luxurious safari lodge in a quiet region of the northern Serengeti with good access to the wildebeest migration.
Bushtops
Serengeti Bushtops is a permanent luxury camp in the northern Serengeti, with spacious and private tents with their own hot tubs.
Ndutu Kati Kati
Ndutu Kati Kati is a seasonal tented camp, based in the southern Serenget from Dec-Mar, ideal for the migration as it passes through.
Olduvai Camp
Olduvai Camp lies between Ngorongoro and the southern Serengeti plains. It's a good base for the southern plains during the rainy season.
Lake Masek Tented Camp
Ideally located for the wildebeest migration from Dec–Apr, Lake Masek Tented Camp is a good, mid-market safari camp.
Mara Mara
Mara Mara is a smart tented camp in the northern Serengeti, situated on a small hill close to the Mara River.
Esirai Migration Camp
A season migration camp, with only 8 tents and 1 family tent and plenty of character. Esirai is ideally placed for excellent wildlife and enjoys a simplistic and comfortable under-canvas experience.
Mwiba Lodge
Mwiba Lodge is a luxurious property located on a private concession on the edge of the southern Serengeti.
Seronera Wildlife Lodge
Seronera Wildlife Lodge is large hotel-style safari lodge in the heart of the Serengeti, offering good value and a great location.
Mara Kati Kati
Mara Kati Kati is a simple bush camp in the northern Serengeti, based from Jul-Oct near the Mara River for the wildebeest migration.
Nasikia Naona
Naona Camp is a small tented camp, located in the Moru Kopjes, west of the Serengeti central area
Kirawira Camp
Set high on a hill, in the Serengeti's western corridor, Kirawira is a relatively large tented camp in the Serena group.
Nyikani Central
Nyikani Central is a comfortable tented camp located in the game-rich Seronera area of the central Serengeti.
Mbuzi Mawe
Mbuze Mawe is a comfortable tented camp in a convenient, central-north location when driving through the Serengeti.
Laba Migration Camp
A luxury mobile camp that moves between the Western Corridor, Mara River and the southern Ndutu area, in line with the wildebeest migration.
Serengeti Pioneer Camp
Serengeti Pioneer Camp is a luxurious tented camp in the central Serengeti, styled on African explorers' camps of the early 20th century.
Taasa Lodge
Taasa Lodge is a slightly quirky option offering guided walks and night game drives, which are not permitted in Serengeti National Park.
Nimali Serengeti
Opened in July 2017, Nimali Serengeti is a smart, permanent tented camp located in the Seronera area of the central Serengeti.
Nomad Walking Camp
Nomad Expeditionary Walking Camp is a simple camp of up to three tents, plus infrastructure, that changes location to allow guests to do substantial walks between campsites.
