Ngorongoro Karatu
Karatu is an area of fertile coffee and arable farms on the south eastern slopes of the Ngorongoro Crater. The area sits at about 7500 ft above sea level, often with it's head in the clouds, and feels lush, green and in stark contrast to the dry floor of the Rift Valley a short distance to the east. The town of Karatu itself lies on the Ngorongoro - Manyara road, but most of the small lodges that we'd recommend in this area are set in the midst of farms quite some distance from the town itself. Read more?
We'd often recommend one of the lodges in Karatu, over and above the Crater Rim, as a place from which to visit the Ngorongoro Crater. The downside to this is clear - you won't be waking up to look down into the Crater from your bedroom window. However, there are plenty of upsides to staying in Karatu if sacrificing crater views isn't a deal-breaker for you.
The principal upside is probably choice, which translates into value. On the Crater Rim your choices are, in simple terms, "lavish and expensive" or "large and soul-less". Karatu can add to that offering "small and intimate" and precisely because these places don't have the premium view, they have to work just that bit harder to distinguish themselves.
Good locally produced food, comfortable and well thought out accommodation and plenty of things to do, all in a relaxed low-key environment make it worth considering a day or two in Karatu.
Recommended Places to Stay
Plantation Lodge - Plantation Lodge is a small privately-owned hotel with plenty of style, a small oasis of trees, beautiful gardens & thriving birdlife within a working farm, close to the entrance into the Ngorongoro forest reserve. Read more...
Show more places?
Good Places to Stay
Gibbs Farm - More than the sum of its parts, Gibb's is somewhere to duck out of the safari world briefly and enjoy the highland air, great food and the incredibly welcoming people who run this little place. Read more...
Ngorongoro Farmhouse - Ngorongoro Farmhouse is in Ololdukan, about 4kms from the Ngorongoro Conservation area and located with great views of Oldeani. Read more...
Show fewer places
More articles that you might find helpful
Tanzania visa requirements
Mobile Tented Safaris
Do I want a private vehicle and guide?
Northern Tanzania - Serengeti and the rest
I want to visit Vic Falls on my safari
For videos, articles, ideas and news from Africa:
Have a look at our blog at safarigeek.com
1747 898 104Do you need some help with this?
At Natural High, we've all lived and worked in Africa, so our knowledge is born of
hands-on experience rather than simply visiting on holiday. We can't over-stress how
worthwhile it is to take a few minutes to call us. We're not in the business churning
out thousands of packages so if you'd like to discuss things in detail, take a few
minutes and call Catherine, Fiona, Vanessa or Alex on 1747 898104.close
