The Ngorongoro Crater is a breathtakingly beautiful setting and the best place in Tanzania to see the Big Five. However, as one of the world's most astonishing and renowned natural wonders, the Ngorongoro Crater does get busy, and at times very busy. Due to the crowds we recommend a two-night stay only here, then moving on to the Serengeti for a quieter, more private safari experience.
Any trip to Northern Tanzania has to include the Ngorongoro Crater: it is one of the most beautiful natural wildlife safari sites in the world and an exceptional place to interact with people from the Masaai tribe.
The Ngorongoro Crater and surrounding highlands together form one of Africa's most beautiful regions. Volcanic craters form stunning backdrops to some of the most fertile and richest grazing grounds in Africa. The most famous such crater is without question the Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera and home to the highest density of big game in Africa, including all the big five and plenty of predators. The Ngorongoro is justifiably one of the continent's most famous safari destinations.
The choice is whether to stay at a hotel on the Crater rim for the phenomenal view, or a little way away from the Crater in nearby Karatu. The advantages of Karatu include the comparative lack of crowds, and better-value, smaller and more intimate lodges which offer a range of activities such as walking and mountain biking.
The Ngorongoro Crater and surrounding highlands together form one of Africa's most beautiful regions. Volcanic craters form stunning backdrops to some of the most fertile and richest grazing grounds in Africa. The most famous such crater is without question the Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera and home to the highest density of big game in Africa, including all the big five and plenty of predators. The Ngorongoro is justifiably one of the continent's most famous safari destinations.
The choice is whether to stay at a hotel on the Crater rim for the phenomenal view, or a little way away from the Crater in nearby Karatu. The advantages of Karatu include the comparative lack of crowds, and better-value, smaller and more intimate lodges which offer a range of activities such as walking and mountain biking.
Ngorongoro Crater: game viewing
The Ngorongoro is the best place in Tanzania to see the big five. A healthy population of black rhino and some of the largest tusker elephants left in Africa today are the prize spots, but the Crater is also home to strong populations of lion, leopard and hyena along with good herds of wildebeest, buffalo and zebra. Other game in the Ngorongoro includes serval cat, cheetah, jackal, Grant's and Thompson's gazelle, flamingo and bat eared foxes along with approximately 400 species of bird.
Ngorongoro Crater: activities on offerActivities inside the Ngorongoro Crater itself are limited to game driving only. There are also picnic spots in the park. A full range of activities is however on offer in the wider Ngorongoro Conservation Area, including walking, trekking, excursions to Olduvai Gorge and visiting the Masai and other tribes.
Ngorongoro Crater: when to goSince the game stays in the crater all year round, there is really no good or bad time to visit. However given that the crater floor does get busy with vehicles, it can be more pleasant to visit during low season. Higher water levels in Lake Magadi (in the center of the Crater) also result in higher concentrations of flamingoes. Whenever you travel to Ngorongoro, you will be guaranteed excellent game viewing.
Ngorongoro Crater: where to stayThe question here is whether to stay right on the Crater rim or a little way away, in the Ngorongoro highlands. On the rim, theNgorongoro Crater Lodge is by far the best hotel and is absolutely world class, but at approximately $3,000 a night it probably should be! The Serena and the Sopa have equally stunning views of the Crater floor and are much more affordable options, but they are large and fairly old hotels.
Away from the Crater rim in nearby Karatu in the highlands is a variety of small coffee plantations and guesthouses. For approximately the same cost as the Serena and Sopa, these are much more charming and characterful but obviously lack the fantastic Ngorongoro views. The best of these are Plantation Lodge, Gibbs Farm and The Manor.
Ngorongoro Crater: activities on offerActivities inside the Ngorongoro Crater itself are limited to game driving only. There are also picnic spots in the park. A full range of activities is however on offer in the wider Ngorongoro Conservation Area, including walking, trekking, excursions to Olduvai Gorge and visiting the Masai and other tribes.
Ngorongoro Crater: when to goSince the game stays in the crater all year round, there is really no good or bad time to visit. However given that the crater floor does get busy with vehicles, it can be more pleasant to visit during low season. Higher water levels in Lake Magadi (in the center of the Crater) also result in higher concentrations of flamingoes. Whenever you travel to Ngorongoro, you will be guaranteed excellent game viewing.
Ngorongoro Crater: where to stayThe question here is whether to stay right on the Crater rim or a little way away, in the Ngorongoro highlands. On the rim, theNgorongoro Crater Lodge is by far the best hotel and is absolutely world class, but at approximately $3,000 a night it probably should be! The Serena and the Sopa have equally stunning views of the Crater floor and are much more affordable options, but they are large and fairly old hotels.
Away from the Crater rim in nearby Karatu in the highlands is a variety of small coffee plantations and guesthouses. For approximately the same cost as the Serena and Sopa, these are much more charming and characterful but obviously lack the fantastic Ngorongoro views. The best of these are Plantation Lodge, Gibbs Farm and The Manor.
Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge: What we think
With the best views of any of the lodges on the Crater rim and a good price too, the Sopa is great choice for location. Although it isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing lodge it serves a purpose and does it very well. It pretty much has its own access road to the crater floor and being on the eastern side of the rim it is far away from the other lodges. It is a good value options for a one or two night stay but if you are looking for something with a little more character and charm with the sacrifice of crater view, then look at Plantation Lodge in the Ngorongoro highlands, or if you want opulence then the Manor or the Ngorongoro Crater Lodge.
The Ngorongoro Sopa gets a 4 paw rating. It is a tough one to really decide what the rating should be. In reality the hotel itself should only be worth 3 paws but the views are exceptional and it has very quiet access roads.
Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge: Interesting Facts
- Large hotel with 97 rooms
- Best view of the crater itself
- Quiet entrance point to the crater
- Dated but good value
Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge: In depth
The Ngorongoro Sopa is located on the Eastern side of the Ngorongoro Crater, on the rim. The lodge is an hour and a half’s drive from Manyara airstrip and 3 and half hours from Arusha.
The Ngorongoro Sopa is an elderly and once lavishly decorated establishment. With the best views of any of the lodges on the Crater rim and a good price too, the Sopa is a good bet for the more budget traveller or clients who just want to use the hotel as a base to explore the Crater and surrounding highlands.
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 raging 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. Guests make the most of the necessity of retiring from their Ngorongoro 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.
The Ngorongoro Crater only permits day time game drive activities. Short walks around the lodge can be arranged when there.
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