{"id":8476,"date":"2017-11-07T09:00:56","date_gmt":"2017-11-07T14:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/snappingtheglobe.com\/?p=8476"},"modified":"2017-11-05T20:25:54","modified_gmt":"2017-11-06T01:25:54","slug":"the-sneaky-monkey-lodge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/snappingtheglobe.com\/?p=8476","title":{"rendered":"The Sneaky Monkey Lodge"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a9 2017 Snapping the Globe, L.L.C. All rights reserved<\/i>.<\/p>\n

Glancing out from our table in the restaurant, it wasn’t uncommon to see animals wandering by and stopping to quench their thirst at the watering hole located adjacent to our lodge….<\/p>\n

The Serengeti Sopa Lodge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Located 45 minutes from the Seronera Airstrip and 319 kilometers from Arusha, the Serengeti Sopa Lodge is located in the Nyarboro Hills, overlooking the plains of the southwestern Serengeti National Park.<\/p>\n

It had been a full day, having risen early, flown to the Serengeti and already seen a myriad of animals.\u00a0 It was nice to arrive at our lodge and be greeted with cool towels and fruity drinks to quench our thirst.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

As we entered our spacious, tastefully furnished rooms, we admired the local fabrics and artwork and the small, entrance area sitting room, complete with mini refrigerator and mini bar.\u00a0 Painted in earthy tones, our room contained two queen sized-beds surrounded by flowing mosquito nets and a colossal bathroom.\u00a0 Stepping out onto the balcony, we admired the view of the plains below.\u00a0 It was amazing!\u00a0 We were smack dab in the middle of the famed Serengeti!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Below us, various antelope strolled through the trees and above us, monkeys swung from branch to branch, occasionally dropping onto nearby balconies and peeking into the lodge’s rooms.\u00a0 So fearless they seemed, we wondered if they might jump into your lap while relaxing on the balcony!<\/p>\n

During the three days that the lodge was our home, we came to appreciated its open and airy floor plan filled with large comfortable chairs made of driftwood, with huge cushions and colorful throw pillows.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Our assigned tables in the dining room were perched on the balcony allowing us to look out over the Serengeti while we enjoyed the prefix menus and bountiful buffets.\u00a0 My husband, a picky eater, thought that he might lose some weight during our adventure, but after viewing the lavish spreads, he realized that all was lost!\u00a0 The food was so delicious and offered something to satisfy everyone’s palate.<\/p>\n

The service was beyond anything we could have ever imagined.\u00a0 Each and every one of the employees of the Serengeti Sopa Lodge did everything to make our stay beyond magnificent.\u00a0 After discovering a breakfast doughnut, resembling something my late grandmother made for me as a child, one of the workers recorded the recipe and brought it to me on my last day!\u00a0 I can’t wait to try it!<\/p>\n

And…after long days on the bumpy roads of the Serengeti, it was always nice to relax at the bar for a cold beer or tasty cocktail.\u00a0 The bar, located in the corner of the lowest level, offered an open terrace with comfortable chairs and heaters for the chilly nights.<\/p>\n

It was here that we learned a story about the sneaky monkeys!<\/p>\n

Although we would have loved to have left our veranda doors open for ventilation and there was a screened door, we adhered to the warnings about the keeping the doors closed.\u00a0 On many occasions, we spotted the local monkeys peering through the glass or taking naps on our balconies.\u00a0 We joked that the monkeys were casing the joint!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

I had also heard stories about monkeys grabbing purses and cameras from unsuspecting tourists and had had my hat stolen by a monkey in Thailand.\u00a0 I knew what they were capable of…our doors were staying locked!<\/p>\n

Well, one of the sneaky monkeys, had apparently been casing our neighbors room.\u00a0 As she stepped out onto her balcony to admire the sunset, she neglected to shut the screen door behind her.\u00a0 Realizing his opportunity, the monkey jumped onto the balcony and dashed past her into her room.\u00a0 Grabbing all of the sugars from her mini bar, he ran past her and jumped onto her neighbors balcony, appearing to mock her as she screamed for help!<\/p>\n

SO traumatized by her experience, she definitely had to retire to the bar for a drink to calm her nerves!<\/p>\n

Lesson learned, watch out for monkeys!<\/p>\n

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Serengeti Sopa Lodge<\/strong><\/p>\n