Can you tell us a bit about Sopa Lodges?

Rosemary Muthoni

Sopa Lodges is a family-friendly brand that has been in the hospitality industry for nearly 40 years. We cater to mid-range businesses while offering premium services. Strategically located within East Africa’s premium safari destinations, our lodges feature spacious, cottage-style accommodations that blend modern amenities with rustic charm. Each lodge is inspired by traditional African round houses with conical roofs which harmonizes beautifully with their natural surroundings. Our properties in Kenya include Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort, Amboseli Sopa Lodge, Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge, Masai Mara Sopa Lodge, Samburu Sopa Lodge and Tarangire Sopa Lodge in Tanzania.

Which segments do you cater to?

I know India is very big on multi-generational travelling, our brand is equipped to take care of FIT, honeymooners, families, small groups, MICE, and more. So we are a one-stop shop for whatever type of client there is. We are big on weddings, on honeymoon and on anniversaries.

What are the special offerings of Sopa?

Masai Mara Sopa Lodge is strategically located high on the slopes of Oloolaimutia hills and a 30-minutes’ drive from Sekenani gate, providing convenient access to the lodge. Our lodge offers a variety of dining experiences, including Boma dinners within the compound, bush dinners and sundowners which allows our guests to immerse themselves in the rich Maasai culture.

We are deeply committed to community engagement and work closely with the local communities. Currently, we provide market space within the lodge for the Maasai women to sell their handcrafted beadwork. This initiative empowers these women, many of whom are widows, by offering them economic opportunities to support their families and educate their children. Our collaboration with the community has fostered a symbiotic relationship which enhances the well-being of local residents while enriching the cultural experience for our guests.

Amboseli Sopa Lodge is located within a short distance from the main gate of Amboseli National Park. The lodge offers 84 spacious rooms, including interconnecting options ideal for families. Guests can enjoy stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro directly from the property. A standout feature of this property is Rocky Hill, a dining venue inside the park where guests can indulge in freshly prepared hot meals. This concept has redefined the traditional packed lunch experience.

Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort is strategically located on the southern shore of Lake Naivasha, approximately 90 kilometers from Nairobi, which is a convenient 1.5-hours’ drive. The resort features 82 spacious rooms, including six interconnecting ground-floor rooms ideal for families and two wheelchair-accessible rooms.

Renowned as a premium wedding destination, Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort offers expansive grounds perfect for wedding ceremonies and receptions. The resort also attracts numerous incentive groups and is a popular weekend retreat for locals, given its proximity to Nairobi.

Each of our properties offers unique wildlife experiences. In Samburu, guests can observe the “Samburu Special Five”: the gerenuk, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe and the Grevy’s zebra. Tarangire National Park is renowned for its large elephant herds, while Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge provides opportunities to see both black and white rhinos. Each lodge offers distinct experiences for our guests.

Which are your main markets? 

The Indian market is big for us because of the number one reason which is the size of our rooms. The percentage of Indian travellers depends on the season, but I would say its almost 30 pc.

Within India, which cities do you get the most business from?

I cannot tell the cities, which is why I am here. I want to find out which are the cities, because most of our business comes from our Destination Management Companies (DMCs). So we will not know where they are coming from, we just know they are Indian.

What kind of growth have you seen in the Indian market? 

In 2024, our revenue in India grew by 25 pc. That is a tremendous growth in terms of revenue.

What has led India to perform so well for you?

Our partnership with the local DMCs. They are our extended sales force. They give us information on what is happening in India. So we sell into it and then we offer what is required for an Indian traveller to be comfortable.

What is the average duration Indians stay at your property?

In terms of room nights, it would be two nights on almost all the properties.

What is your objective on this visit to India?

Our objective is to promote all the properties and to just educate the Indian traveller that it is not about the seven, eight nights at places like Nakuru, or Masai Mara. You can actually do more within the same time.

Why do you think Indians are not going to Samburu?

Indians tend to follow the itineraries provided by their DMCs, which generally focus on popular destinations. The DMCs sell standard packages, such as the seven-night trips to Kenya, without necessarily highlighting lesser-known spots like Samburu.

From the perspective of a supplier or a Kenyan, however, there is much more to explore. Samburu, located in the north of Kenya, is an untouched destination offering some of the clearest, most unpolluted skies, perfect for stargazing. This experience is not promoted, so Indian travellers might not be aware of the unique attractions that places like Samburu offer.

Do you also get MICE groups from India?

Yes, we do get Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) groups from India. The average size of a group is generally over 100 people. For example, our largest groups are typically for Masai Mara, where we have handled groups of up to 180 participants.