Set high on a hill between the spectacular African Rift Valley and the incredible wildlife haven of Ngorongoro Crater, Rhotia Valley Tented Lodge is an utterly unique African safari accommodation, designed as a project to support the village, and especially the orphan children, of Rhotia. It is completely integrated with the local environment and provides the dual opportunity to visit the beautiful countryside of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and to experience the authentic African ambience as an honored guest in a thriving cooperative community. Three miles from the main access route to Arusha and Ngorongoro, a cluster of spacious and comfortable tents offer affordable accommodation with joyous serenity and fantastic views of sunsets over the distant escarpment. One of several African orphanages supported by Golder Trust for Orphans as a self-sustaining initiative, this project derives its income from the tented lodge as others, elsewhere, get theirs from producing honey and even geranium oil. In Rhotia, a computer class demonstrates their ability to make a real difference to lives that were formerly at subsistence level. Visitors on a Rhotia Valley Tented Lodge safari can feel good about their contribution as they vary their wildlife viewing adventures and trips to nearby places of outstanding interest and beauty, such as Ngorongoro Crater or Lake Manyara, by a fascinating visit to the thriving village and the many happy children for whom they are helping to make new lives. Rhotia Valley Tented Lodge is the perfect place to stay if you want to experience the true nature of cooperation between sustainable tourism and the Tanzanian people on your tour of Tanzania
Rhotia Valley Tented Lodge consists of 15 thatched tents on wooden decking with spacious bedroom areas and ingeniously partitioned en-suite facilities featuring flush toilet, hot and cold running water, shower, and dresser (Read more - where else to stay in Ngorongoro). Sited on winding paths amidst lush vegetation, the tents give an illusion of perfect seclusion. The three mile, red dirt road to the lodge is an adventurous introduction to travel in real Africa. An unpretentious main lodge consists of a wide, railed verandah, furnished with wooden deck chairs and festooned with flowering creepers, a cosy hearth-side lounge with welcoming cane armchairs and settles, and a clean and simple extended dining area and bar. There are plenty of books and games to be had, with the company of half a dozen gratified cats. At 1700 feet above sea level, there is little malaria risk, where you may sit out in the morning to watch the sunrise over Mount Meru on a clear day and listen to the swelling dawn chorus. In the evening, look out over the fields and terraces of local farms to the vast Rhotia Valley, as the sun sets to give place to the sparkling glimmerings of distant Karatu town. Retire to a comfortable queen-size bed with reassuring hot-water bottle thoughtfully tucked in to take you through the unexpectedly cool night. Domestic staff are recruited from Rhotia Village and may be shy or friendly, but all will do their best to make your holiday in Africa a pleasant one that you will want to return back on safari with AfricanMecca.
