Rhotia Valley Tented Lodge

Rooms

The 15 Tented Houses (stilted, thatch-roofed platforms with a tent inside) are set along winding paths, beside the organic vegetable garden. At night, these paths are lit by paraffin lamps, but staff will escort you to and from the main lodge, in case there are animals around.

Inside, each tent is identical. There’s a large main bedroom area with beds and a wicker armchair, plus a veranda with 2 planter-style chairs and a wooden log table, and a partitioned-off bathroom area. Most tents have 1 or 2 double beds, but there are 2 family tents with a double and 2 singles. Beds are comfy, covered in hand-sewn linens and strewn with fresh flowers on your arrival. While you eat dinner, a hot-water bottle will be tucked between your sheets, and there are blankets to keep you warm during the colder months. There are solar-powered electricity points, so you can charge your camera and phone, and there are bedside lights, plus torches in case you need them. We loved sitting out on our veranda, soaking up the incredible view.

Bathrooms are spacious, and although they are not luxurious, you do get a hot-water shower, locally-made soap, piles of orange towels and a flushing toilet.

Features include:

• Cots available

Eating

Meals are served in the lovely dining room in the main lodge and you can opt for full- or half-board options. In the evenings it looks gorgeous; candlelit tables, little braziers, and the flickering firelight from the lounge beyond. There are blankets to wrap around yourselves if you get cold. Tables are set up for groups of 2-12 (there are often safari groups staying), and are laid with white napkins and cool animal-print salt and pepper holders.

The food is largely organic from the lodge’s own garden, or from local farms. Whilst it’s not gourmet it’s very good, and imaginative; a 3-course set formula. Perhaps root vegetable soup to start, a spicy meat stew with potatoes for main, and a fruit tart for dessert.

Breakfast can be taken as early as you want, so you can get on the road for your dawn game drive. We loved the banana pancakes, and the Tanzania omelette, with its chilli kick. Juices are freshly squeezed, and there are big Thermoses of tea and coffee to help yourselves to.

Lunches are packed, eaten out on game drives. These consist of a number of tasty treats - a box of juice, water, a boiled egg, pieces of fruit, a calzone or samosa, pancakes, quiche or pizza, and a sandwich.

Features include:

• All meals included
• Bar
• Organic produce

Activities

• You’re here to see the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater, a 30-minute drive away. We spent a day in this volcanic caldera, from dawn to 4pm, and saw a vast range of animals, including elephant herds, masses of lions, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and scores of flamingos on the lake. The highlights? 2 lions chasing off a wild dog, hippos basking in mud, a lioness on the prowl, and a rhino in the distance
  
• Lake Manyara is close (30 minutes), home to a host of migratory birds, including flamingos, eagles and kingfishers. Its National Park is also good for spotting wildlife - we saw lots of impalas, wildebeest, and elephant families with 2-week old babies
  
• Further afield, but do-able on a day trip, Tarangire National Park is fantastic. During the dry season, heaps of animals throng the river (waterbuck, giraffes, elephants, zebras) and the landscape is diverse and unusual, with Baobab trees, dense bush and high grasses. Tarangire is probably most famous for its tree-climbing lions, an unforgettable sight
  
• Back at the lodge, take a guided walk into the Ngorongoro Forest, and hike down to the Crater rim (a tough but rewarding 6-hour walk) or follow the river to find bush waterfalls. If you’re lucky, you might spot wild elephants and buffalo on route (the guides are armed!)
  
• Or take a guided cultural walk to Rhotia Village and get an insight into local customs and traditions, family and farm life. The local kids love meeting wazungu (white folk)
  
• Visit the Rhotia Valley Children’s Home on the adjacent hilltop and join in a soccer match or help them with their homework. By staying at Rhotia Valley Tented Lodge, you directly contribute to their welfare and education
  
• After all that exploring, laze by the large infinity pool which overlooks the valley

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Mountain biking
• Plantlife / flora
• Private guided tours
• Safaris
• Traditional cultures
• Wildlife

Kids

Children of all ages are welcome at the lodge, but you'd need to keep a close eye on toddlers as the tents are on raised platforms. Safari is best suited to 6+ year olds. Children aged 6-12 are charged 50% of the adult rate when sharing with 2 adults.

Best for:

Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

There are 2 family tents with a double bed and 2 single beds.

Cots Available, Family Rooms

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Rhotia Valley Tented Lodge is set near the village of Rhotia and Karatu, in northern Tanzania. It's a 30-minute drive from the Ngorongoro Crater and 2.5 hours from Arusha.

The hotel can arrange transfers from/to Manyara Airstrip, Arusha, Kilimanjaro Airport, Nairobi and Dar es Salam; please enquire when booking.

We had a private driver for our entire holiday (who met us at the airport, drove us between destinations, and drove/guided us on daily excursions). You can book this separately through our recommended Tailormade Safari Operator.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

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