Karatu · Safari Lodge
Africa Safari Karatu
A hilltop overnight ten kilometres from the Ngorongoro Lodoare gate, with views across the Highlands and Lake Eyasi from the restaurant, pool, and Luxury rooms balconies.
About
Africa Safari Karatu sits on a hilltop just outside the borders of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, ten kilometres from the Lodoare gate. The position gives the property a 180 degree view across the Northern Highlands toward Lake Eyasi, captured from the restaurant terrace, the pool deck, and the balconies of the Luxury rooms. The drive in passes through the Karatu farmlands; on a clear afternoon you can see the curve of the rim above the gardens.
The Northern Circuit revolves around two parks reachable in a half-day drive: Lake Manyara National Park (32 km) for tree climbing lions and elephants, and the Ngorongoro Crater itself (10 km to the gate, with a further descent inside the conservation area). Most guests use Africa Safari Karatu as the night before a Crater day, with an early breakfast and a packed lunch box to take into the park.
The property runs three room categories: Comfort Classic and Comfort Modern rooms in the original building (50 sqm, 46 units, King beds, ensuite shower, air conditioning), Luxury rooms in two storey rondavels (60 sqm, 28 units, King plus queen sofa bed, ensuite with bathtub, private balcony), and Safari Tents with shared bathroom facilities for travellers on a leaner budget. The restaurant cooks with regional produce, opens early for game drive departures, and serves dinner on a terrace that catches the long Karatu evenings.
Best for the night before or after a Lake Manyara, Crater, or Western Serengeti routing. Families fit comfortably in Luxury rooms with the sofa bed configuration; couples and solo travellers do well in either Comfort or Luxury. The team handles packed game drive boxes, late check-ins, and early departures as a matter of course. Travellers Choice 2024 and 2025 awards reflect a property that does the transit role consistently well.
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is 200 kilometres and a 3.5 hour drive away; Arusha Airport (ARK) for charter flights is 135 kilometres and 2.5 hours. The nearest airstrip for fly-in transfers is Lake Manyara Airstrip, 22 kilometres and a 30 minute drive from the property.
Signature experiences
Highland breakfast with Lake Eyasi view
Take breakfast on the open sided restaurant terrace as the highlands light up. Local fruits, eggs to order, and Tanzanian coffee from the surrounding estates. Boxed breakfast and packed lunch options are available for early game drive departures.
Sunset pool afternoon
Two pool sections wrap around the property with views back across the Karatu hills. Sun loungers and shade are set out daily; a quiet anchor between the long drives of a Northern Circuit safari.
Highland terrace dinner
Dinner runs from 19:00 to 21:00 on the panoramic terrace, with the highlands fading to dark behind the property. Dietary requests are taken at lunch for the same evenings menu.
Amenities
- Full Board Dining
- Two Swimming Pool Sections
- Restaurant And Bar With Panoramic Views
- Free WiFi In Communal Areas
- Air Conditioning In Comfort And Luxury Rooms
- Private Terraces And Balconies
- Coffee And Tea Making In Every Room
- Lush Gardens And Highland Views
- Generator Back Up And 24 Hour Security
- Safari Jeep With Pop-up Roof On Request
- Travellers Choice 2024 And 2025
Best for
- Pre Crater Overnight
- Post Crater Unwind
- Lake Manyara Stopover
- Family Overnight (Luxury Room)
- Couples On A Northern Circuit
- Solo Traveller
- Budget Traveller (Safari Tent Option)
Wildlife you might see
- Day Excursion To Ngorongoro Crater (10 Km To Gate) For The Big Five Within The Caldera
- Day Excursion To Lake Manyara National Park (32 Km) For Tree Climbing Lions And Elephant Herds
- Resident Garden Birds On Property
- Lake Eyasi Flamingo Flocks Visible On Clear Days From The Restaurant Terrace
Best time to visit
May
Location & access
Karatu
Fly-in: Possible via Lake Manyara Airstrip. JRO to Arusha Airport (ARK) by road (45 min), then ARK to Lake Manyara airstrip by light aircraft (45 min), then 22 km / 30 min road transfer to the lodge. More commonly used as a road transfer from JRO or as the end of an inbound flight from another safari leg.
Drive: Approximately 3.5 hours total. Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to Karatu via Arusha is 200 km on a mix of A23 highway and the Karatu approach road. The drive is usually broken with a short Arusha lunch stop. Africa Safari Karatu sits in Qurus on the edge of town, 8 km from the centre.
Room types
Safari Comfort Accommodation (Air-conditioned)
46 units in Comfort Classic or Comfort Modern style. 50 sqm with a King size bed (with optional single bed or sofa bed for a third occupant), ensuite shower, mosquito net, safety deposit box, coffee and tea making facilities, air conditioning, inside seating area, and a private terrace. Sleeps up to 3.
Safari Luxury Accommodation (Air-conditioned)
28 units in two storey rondavels with a private balcony and views over Lake Eyasi and the Ngorongoro Highlands. 60 sqm with a King size bed plus queen size sofa bed, ensuite with shower and bathtub, seating area, air conditioning, and a private terrace. Sleeps up to 3 on the rate sheet (interconnecting units sold separately for parties of 4).
Safari Tent (shared bathroom)
Safari tents with shared toilet and shower facilities. Budget option for solo travellers or pairs comfortable with shared bathroom infrastructure. Sleeps up to 2.
What's included
Included
- Full Board (breakfast, Lunch, And Dinner Served Daily)
- Free WiFi In Restaurant And Bar Areas
- Use Of Swimming Pools (two Pool Sections)
- Coffee And Tea Making Facilities In Every Room
- Air Conditioning In Comfort And Luxury Rooms
- Mosquito Nets, Safety Deposit Box, In-room Terrace
- 24-hour Security And Generator Back Up
Not included
- TDL And Karatu Village Fee ($2.50 Per Person Per Night, Billed Transparently On Quote)
- Tips And Gratuities
- Airport Transfers
- Safari Activities And Excursions
- Drinks Beyond Meal Service
- Spa Treatments (coming Soon, Not Yet Operational)
Reviews
Frequently asked
How many rooms does Africa Safari Karatu have?
Seventy four rooms in the main building and rondavels: 46 Comfort Classic or Modern rooms and 28 Luxury rooms. Safari Tents with shared bathrooms are also available for budget travellers.
When is the lodge open?
Year round. Karatu sits in the highlands and stays open through both the dry and green seasons. The rate sheet covers a single contract window from November 2025 to October 2028 with High and Low seasons.
How do guests reach the lodge from Kilimanjaro International Airport?
Approximately 3.5 hours by road via Arusha, 200 km total. Most guests transfer by vehicle as part of their Northern Circuit itinerary. Lake Manyara Airstrip (22 km / 30 min) is the closest fly-in option for guests connecting from other safari legs.
Are families with children welcome?
Yes. The Luxury Room sleeps up to 3 on the published rate sheet (King bed plus a queen sofa bed). Children 2 to 11.99 share with adults at a reduced rate; children under 2 are free. Two pool sections and panoramic restaurant work well for family arrivals.
What is included in the rate?
Rates are quoted on a Full Board basis: breakfast, lunch, and dinner served daily. WiFi in the restaurant and bar, use of both swimming pools, air conditioning in Comfort and Luxury rooms, 24 hour security, and generator back up are all included. Tips, drinks beyond meal service, and the TDL plus Karatu Village Fee of $2.50 per person per night are excluded.
How close is the lodge to the Ngorongoro Crater?
10 kilometres to the Ngorongoro Lodoare gate. The descent into the crater itself takes another 30 minutes from the gate. Most guests use the lodge as a base for a full day Crater game drive, leaving after early breakfast and returning before sunset.
What's nearby
- Ngorongoro Crater10 km to the Lodoare gate, with the descent into the caldera adding another 30 minutes. The crater floor concentrates the Big Five in a single days game drive. Resident lion prides, black rhino on the southern marshes, and large elephant bulls toward the Munge stream.
- Lake Manyara National Park32 km to the entrance gate. Tree climbing lions, hippos in the pools, and the soda lake itself with flamingos when the water is high. A natural pairing with the Crater for a two day Northern Circuit add on.
- Lake Eyasi cultural day50 km drive. The lake supports two semi nomadic groups: the Hadzabe hunter gatherers and the Datoga ironsmiths. Most tour operators run a half day or full day cultural visit out of Karatu.
- Karatu coffee tourKaratu sits in a coffee growing belt; many estates run guided tours through the harvest and roasting process. A relaxed half day option for arrival or departure days.
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