Blue11

We're planning an Oct./Nov. 2007 Tanzanian safari.

I had my heart set on one night at the Crater Lodge (would love two nights, but that's out of the budget).

The plan is to do an afternoon drive into the Crater, check into the Lodge, then go back to the Crater early the next day. This doesn't leave much time at the Lodge, and I'm wondering if it's worth the expense for such a short amount of time?

Any ideas on how to maximize our time at the Lodge, without missing out on time in the Crater much appreciated!

Would also appreciate suggestions of alternative lodges in that area. Would either Plantation Lodge or Gibbs Farm be a good alternative?

atravelynn

If your heart is set on the Crater Lodge, then you must go there or you’ll regret it. When I've been at the crater, I've arrived in the afternoon at the lodge (Wildlife or Sopa) and hung out there, enjoying the sunset, walking around looking at resident wildlife etc. The next day we headed into the crater. Granted, we did a full day trip, spending 2 nights at a crater accommodation. But a half-day may suffice, especially if you take a breakfast box and head out early. Here is a thread discussing the length of crater trips.

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34925907

So you could forgo that first game drive to relax at Crater Lodge. Even if you could not check in upon arrival, you be at the facility. You'd be trading wildlife viewing time for accommodation time, but if Crater Lodge is highlight for you, then it's worth it.

When asking about alternative lodges, Gibb’s and Plantation are farther away. Gibb’s (a good hour away) was lovely to visit and take a walking tour of the coffee farm. It had tremendous food. On the rim,there is Serena Lodge or Sopa Lodge, either of which would be very nice.

You could use an alternative lodge to maximize your time in the crater and at Crater Lodge. Day 1: Arrive Crater Lodge and enjoy the facility. Day 2: Have a nice breakfast there and don’t get an early start. Check out just before the required time and maybe continue to lounge around in the lodge. Then head into the crater, perhaps taking lunch with you and spending the afternoon in the crater. Stay overnight at Serena, Sopa, Gibb’s, whatever accommodation works well for where you are going Day 3. This assumes you have an extra day to spare. You’d also have to see if spending that money for an extra night was worth it. Though not Crater Lodge prices, it would still be an extra night's expense.

To answer your question Crater Lodge-Worth it for one night? I'd stay at Sopa or Serena instead and do the 2 game drives. But I don't care about fancy lodging.

Your first comment was that your heart is set on Crater Lodge. I think you need to go there.

sandi

Day 1 - Check into the lodge on arrival, pass on the crater visit and enjoy the decadence of the lodge. Day 2 - early next morning by 6am when the crater opens be there for your 6/hr visit. Then go on your way in the afternoon.

If you want game drives both in afternoon and next morning, stay at Serena or Sopa. Way too much $$$ to be spending for Crater Lodge and not being able to enjoy it.

bat

Blue11:

Can you spend 2 nights at the crater (not 2 nights at Crater Lodge)? We spent our 1st night at the Serena to use as the base for the crater drive and then relocated to Crater Lodge the next day, spending the afternoon, evening and following morning there before heading off to our next destination.

I, too, wanted to stay at Crater Lodge--could not really afford one night let alone two. This worked well for us.

Blue11

Thank you all for such thoughtful answers and great ideas. I really appreciate it and love this board!

One six hour visit to the Crater does seem like plenty...but maybe we will spend the first night at the Serena -- great idea.

Thanks again! I'm sure I'll be back with a few more questions as we finalize an itinerary.

santharamhari

One visit to the crater IMO is plenty. Mainly due to the fact that the crater was over-crowded when i went. Also, you do the same route anyway even if you go a second day....and more crowds. On the plus side, plenty of animals. THe views from the rim are spectacular....you can get that from any of the lodges, i suppose.....

On the otherhand, you could consider an extra night in the Serengeti.

Hari

Femi

If you're looking to experience the lodge, I think one night would do it. However, I really enjoyed my visit to the crater, crowded though it was. it was just about my favorite location on our trip.