Tarangire Sopa Lodge

Away from the vehicle-crowded animal sightings and competing lodges, guests will find sanctuary at Tarangire Sopa Lodge in what is likely Tanzania’s best-kept secret. Tarangire National Park holds the highest concentration of elephants on the continent as well as a whopping 550 different bird species. Only a 2hr-drive from Arusha, this park and lodge is the ideal way to begin or end your Tanzanian odyssey.

Spanning across 280,000ha of grassland dotted with huge baobab clusters and interrupted by occasional swamps and acacia woodland is Tarangire National Park. Aside from its impressive elephant and bird species population, this wildlife haven boasts curious tree-climbing lions, regularly-seen Oryx herds, and notoriously large pythons. Night drives and nature walks are also permitted in the park unlike many other places in the region, and guests can soar to extraordinary heights in a hot-air balloon.

Each of the lodge’s en-suite rooms has a lounge, minibar, and two queen-size beds. Universal Access and inter-leading rooms are available on request. On-site amenities include a gift-shop; coffee shop serving Tanzanian highland brews; dining room; terrace overlooking the plains; Wi-Fi in common areas; and a swimming pool.