MonicaH

pixelpower-

Your idea of a vacation and mine appear to be different and that is ok. The great thing about this forum is that we get to read about everyone's experience even if it isn't for us. And, in addition to seeing lots of animals, gazing upon the most incredible landscape and spending time with the beautiful and generous people of Africa, I enjoyed being pampered on vacation and I don’t feel guilty about it. And what resulted from my vacation (besides for falling deeply in love with gorillas?); involvement in some organizations that I think are making a difference in the world.

See, us bubble bath loving people aren't all bad.

pixelpower

Nyama: pixelpower, aby -- IUCN should put us on the Red List.


How true, Walter. Certainly on this forum it looks like that.

rafikimilly

pixelpower -

I'm so happy to read your replies, I cannot agree with you more, it is time that we all enjoy a CONSERVED world and not coming out to conservation areas and destroy them. I do love a bath myself but will hate sitting in one if I know I destroy the environment with my selfish act. This is a short term enjoyment - please make it a long term one by looking after our natural resourches.
Anyway what happed to the fact of employing local people of Tanzania and local upliftment - is a chef from the States really neaded - does he/she make such a difference to your experience? (just wondering).

sandi

Guess it's demand and supply. If there wasn't a demand for lux properties with plunge pools and rose petal baths (or other things that may impact the environment) they wouldn't be supplied. Or those who have the budget to afford such accommodations which come at a premium and glad pay the costs. If there were no clients for such amenities, guess the properties would have to close shop.

For sure, water in a plunge pool is not replaced daily, rather recycled. Though I do wonder what impact soap bubbled water has on the ground; not to say that locals don't dispose of their dish or bathwater in similar ways if no proper plumbing network.

Maybe the question of "eco-lodges/camps" should be addressed to the owners of such properties - how they justify what may be considered a waste of resources.

texascity

I stayed at Crater Lodge for two nights in June 2007, and had a fantastic stay. I will return in March 2008, staying four nights this time. The food, the accommodations and the professionalism of the staff were absolutely top notch.
FYI - While this article is about Crater Lodge, CC Africa also has several other lodges in Tanzania. Each lodge and camp has a unique style. I also look forward to staying at Grumeti River Camp, Klein's Camp and Lake Manyara Tree Lodge during my upcoming trip.

napamatt

"but don’t forget about the water displacement that your body will cause (therefore, DON’T FILL the tub to the top)."

EUREKA (not the town in CA)

safaridude

Not telling anyone what they should or shouldn't like but the Crater Lodge gave me the creeps. For me, it was way too much. That's just me.

I was there in September '06 when there was water and power rationing in Arusha and other parts of Tanzania. The Crater hydrology probably has nothing whatsoever to do with water availability in Arusha, but I sensed irony in a "ConsCorp" lodge drawing you a hot bath while you are at dinner whether you wanted a hot bath or not.

HariS

nice thread ..... missed it until now.

Dana_M

I didn't see this until now either. Crater Lodge was a little over the top for me.

Texascity,
I adore Grumeti River Camp. One of my all time favorites. I've also been to Klein's but I prefer Grumeti. However, both are better in July/August, not March. In March make sure you spend some time in the southern Serengeti.