Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge

📍 Ngorongoro Conservation Area Lodge

Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge

A Panoramic Retreat on the Eastern Crater Rim

📍 Location: 3°9’14.9″S, 35°40’33.5″E
🌟 Rating: 88% (Based on 23 reviews)

About Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge

Perched on the eastern rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge offers unmatched views of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unlike the busier western routes, our quiet and scenic location provides exclusive access to the less crowded eastern descent road, ensuring a serene safari experience.

While the lodge may not be the most intimate or boutique-style option, it offers expansive spaces, warm hospitality, and breathtaking views. With quick access to the crater floor, a family-friendly atmosphere, and budget-conscious pricing, Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge is an excellent choice for both adventurers and families alike.

Accommodation & Amenities

🏨 97 Spacious Rooms with en-suite bathrooms
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-Friendly – Suitable for all ages
🏊 Swimming Pool – Perfect for relaxation after a game drive
🍽️ Restaurant & Bar – Serving delicious local and international cuisine
📅 Open Year-Round – Experience Ngorongoro in every season

Activities & Experiences

🚙 4WD Safari – Explore the crater’s diverse ecosystem
🦜 Birdwatching – Spot over 400 bird species
🌍 Cultural Excursions – Visit a traditional Maasai village
🥾 Guided Walking Safaris – Experience the wilderness on foot

With an early start, you can descend into the crater floor and have a high chance of spotting the Big Five, including the rare black rhino.

Wildlife Sightings from Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge

✅ 100% Chance – Buffalo, Elephants, Lions, Spotted Hyenas, Wildebeest, Zebras
✅ 80% Chance – Black Rhinos
✅ 33% Chance – Leopards
❌ Rare Sightings – Eland (25%), Aardvark, Pangolin, Wild Dogs

Our travelers have reported incredible wildlife encounters, making this an ideal base for your safari adventure.

Guest Reviews

🌟 “The views from this lodge are breathtaking. Waking up to a sunrise over the crater is an unforgettable experience. The staff was friendly, the rooms were spacious, and the safari was outstanding!” – Alex M., United Kingdom

🌟 “Perfect for families! Our kids loved the pool, and the access to the crater was fantastic. We saw lions, elephants, and even a black rhino on our morning game drive!” – Sarah K., United States

🏆 88% Positive Reviews | Rated Excellent by Travelers

Best Time to Visit Ngorongoro Crater

☀️ Dry Season (June – October) – Best for wildlife spotting as animals gather near water sources.
🌧️ Green Season (November – May) – Lush landscapes, fewer crowds, and fantastic birdwatching opportunities.

No matter the season, Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge remains open year-round, ensuring you experience the magic of this natural wonder whenever you visit.

How to Get Here

✈️ Nearest Airport: Arusha or Manyara Airport
🚗 Drive from Arusha: Approximately 3.5 to 4 hours

For airport transfers and safari packages, contact us in advance to arrange seamless travel.

Tanzania Safari Experience We Can Offer

Tanzania-Experience arranges lodge and camping safaris, trekking and hiking tours and beach holidays.

Hiking

Hike the Majestic Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru and Oldonyo lengai and enjoy your Tanzania adventure

Camping

Camping safaris Tanzania are more popular on Northern Tanzania than in the Southern.

Beach

Discover Zanzibar’s best beaches with its spectacular sunsets, palm-fringed beaches, turquoise waters & colourful coral reefs

Lodging

Lodge safaris are for the discerning traveller who wishes to experience Eastern Africa’s wilderness in comfort and ease.

Canoeing

Tanzania Canoeing Safaris · is the ultimate in relaxing excitement to enjoy the astonishingly beautiful scenery.

Cultural experience

We offer a blend of both Tanzania’s wildlife and its cultural heritage safaris

Biking

We are pioneers in making bike safaris. Our experience and hard work have made us able to offer unusual routes.

Walking safari

Walking safaris are a great way to meet the magic of the bush. Encountering animals by stepping into their world awakens your senses.

Testimonials

Customer Reviews

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 630 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Christine L 
 
 
 
 Verified A truly unforgettable experience My husband and I went on the 6-day private honeymoon safari with hot air balloon, guided by Peter. Peter was a fantastic, knowledgeable (in wildlife matters and sharing his culture), welcoming and great guide - ensuring that we had every opportunity to see the animals, especially the big 5! It was our first safari (and who knows when we will have to opportunity to do this again), but the experience was truly unforgettable. Every accommodation made us feel welcomed, comfortable and safe. We went during low season so the parks were a little bit more calm, and the lodges were less busy - but that did not detract from the wonderful experience. Serengeti African Tours were exceptionally professional and we have no regrets about the choice we made. Thanks again for an amazing experience to Serengeti African Tours and special thanks to Peter, who was committed to ensuring that we had an unforgettable experience!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Alys H 
 
 
 
 Verified Our Driver Kelvin was the best, patient fantastic driver who was knowledgeable and keenly aware of our needs. We saw the Big Five, the accommodations were fantastic. Great Safari!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   captpaulwarren 
 
 
 
 Verified 5 day safari in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro regions Very well planned safari. Best wildlife I've seen in eight safaris. Peter, our guide was very knowledgeable and his driving skills were fantastic.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Jasper F 
 
 
 
 Verified Amazing. It was an amazing week. The Peter was really nice, knowledgeable and well organised. He was also the only truck who managed to not get stuck in the mud. We saw the big five!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Sergi L 
 
 
 
 Verified Amazing experience! As nature lovers, this safari has been a turning point in our lives. A unique and unforgettable experience where the animals come to see you, not the other way around—this is when you truly realize what real freedom is. It’s true that luck plays a role, but having such an experienced guide like Matthew allowed us to enjoy the trip to the fullest and have truly incredible encounters. My favorite moment was when a pregnant leopard calmly decided to visit us right next to the 4x4. Situations like that only happen when the driver knows how to handle the vehicle and always maintains respect for wildlife. He also explained every detail about the parks and was very open with us—we had a great time! A 100% recommended experience.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Lara W 
 
 
 
 Verified An Unforgettable 6-Day Safari – An Incredible Experience I booked a 6-day safari with Serengeti African Tours together with my sister and cousin. First of all, I can say that it was one of the most beautiful and eventful experiences I have ever had. Planning the safari turned out to be very straightforward and was arranged via WhatsApp without any problems. Within a very short time, we received an offer as well as answers to our questions. The packing list that was provided was also very helpful in preparing us as first-time safari travelers. On the evening before our safari began, we received a short briefing with important information and details about the pickup. The itinerary absolutely thrilled us and exceeded all our expectations. Our guides, Adrian and David, were incredibly kind and knowledgeable, knew the best spots in the national parks, and answered every question we had. The accommodations were breathtakingly beautiful, and it was almost a shame that we could only stay one night at each place. Although we mostly stayed in tented camps or lodges, we would still recommend spending one night camping to complete the adventure. One night we stayed at a bush camp surrounded by zebras at night, and we could listen to them grazing. We learned an incredible amount and would do the trip exactly the same way again anytime! The only point of criticism we can mention is the sometimes insufficient communication. At times there were complications, which meant that one accommodation as well as the original itinerary had to be changed. We completely understand this, of course, but we would have appreciated being informed about it, for example in the form of an updated travel plan.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Amelie B 
 
 
 
 Verified Safari - Maximale Adventure Wir hatten den besten Tourguide ever, Ali. Die Safari war ein Erlebnis, ein richtiges adventure. Wir haben 4 von 5 der big fives gesehen. Toll wäre es gewesen, hätten wir eine Packliste für das Camping bekommen. Darauf waren wir leider sehr unvorbereitet.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Nikki V 
 
 
 
 Verified Amazing safari I did the 3 day taste affordable Serengeti & Ngorongoro Lodge safari. I was solo and everything was perfect and very safe. I had a really nice group, the lodges were really nice and our guide did everything to find the big 5, which was succesfull. Big thanks to our guide Adrian.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Nicola 
 
 
 
 Verified Primo Safari non si scorda mai Mi sono affidato a questa agenzia e non c’è stato nulla che non sia andato come speravo! Assistenza sempre presente, guide professionali , cibo incredibile e abbondante! Il lodge che ci è stato prenotato era semplicemente perfetto e ci hanno fatto un graditissimo regalo dandoci delle magliette a maniche corte con il loro logo! 5 stelle super meritate e stra consigliato , tutto perfetto
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   David C 
 
 
 
 Verified Safari was brilliant Great trip especially with Matthias as a very knowledgeable guide and Richard producing very good fresh food each day- would definitely book with them again