Safari Lodge
Gibb's Farm
A working coffee farm on the rim above Karatu, with stone cottages, dual-sided fireplaces, and a farm-to-table kitchen.
About
Gibb's Farm sits on the rim above Karatu, a working coffee farm in lush gardens with the Ngorongoro Highlands rising behind. The property has been in operation for generations, and that history runs through the place: stone cottages with dual-sided fireplaces and free-standing bathtubs, paths winding past flowering grounds, a creamery that supplies the kitchen with butter and cheese, and an unhurried staff style that turns the long approach to the Ngorongoro Crater into a proper rest rather than a layover.
Karatu sits at 1,500m altitude on the highland slope below the Ngorongoro Crater. Gibb's Farm sits higher still on the rim above the town, with cooler evenings and longer views over the rift valley. The position keeps it close to the Ngorongoro Crater (an hour to the descent road) and within day-trip range of Lake Manyara and Tarangire, while staying clear of the lodge clusters on the crater rim.
The accommodation runs in three categories: the Cottage (per-person basis, standard cottage in the older block), Deutsche House (a per-unit family villa that sleeps four), and Bustani House (a second per-unit family villa). The Cottages are the property's signature accommodation — stone-built with the dual-sided fireplace separating bedroom and bath, hardwood floors, generous deck. The two Houses are larger and more private, suited to families or small groups.
Best for slow-paced highland travel, multi-generation families using the Houses, foodie travellers who appreciate the farm-to-table kitchen, and guests who want the Ngorongoro Crater on the itinerary without sleeping rim-side.
Access is by road from Arusha (3 hours), or by flight to Lake Manyara airstrip followed by an hour up to the Karatu highlands.
Gallery
Signature experiences
Coffee farm tour
Daily guided walk through the working coffee plantation, finishing in the farm shop where guests can buy estate-roasted beans. Included in the rate.
Farm-to-table dining
The kitchen leans heavily on the farm's own garden, creamery, and producers within a few kilometres. The kitchen output is among the strongest in the area.
Spa treatments
Spa menu using local ingredients (coffee-bean scrubs, honey wraps). The signature post-safari recovery booking.
Cultural evening entertainment
Included in the rate. Local cultural performances or storytelling some evenings.
Amenities
- Spa
- Working Coffee Farm
- Gardens
- Cultural Activities
- Farm To Table Dining
- Outdoor Showers
- Fireplaces
Best for
- Foodie
- Family
- Slow Pace
- Karatu Base
- Honeymoon
Wildlife you might see
- Ngorongoro Crater (1hr) — Big Five In A Single Day
- Lake Manyara National Park (1hr) — Tree-climbing Lions, Flamingos
- Resident Bird Life On The Farm And Adjacent Forest
- Bushbuck And Dik-dik On The Farm's Wooded Edges
Best time to visit
May
Location & access
Fly-in: Approximately 3 hours total: 1hr JRO to Arusha Airport (ARK), then a 45-minute Cessna to Lake Manyara airstrip, then a 1hr drive up to the highlands and the farm.
Drive: Approximately 4 hours total: 1hr JRO to Arusha, then 2.5hr Arusha to Karatu, then 30min up to the farm.
Room types
Cottage
Stone-built cottage with dual-sided fireplace separating bedroom and bath, free-standing bathtub, hardwood floors, and a generous deck onto the gardens. The property's signature accommodation, sold per-person.
Deutsche House
Per-unit family villa sleeping up to four. Larger and more private than the standard Cottage, with multiple bedrooms under a single roof. Suited to families or small groups travelling together.
Bustani House
Second per-unit family villa sleeping up to four, similar in scale to Deutsche House but with a different layout and garden position.
What's included
Included
- Full Board (breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner)
- House Beverages (water, Soft Drinks, Juices, House Drinks)
- Daily Laundry
- Private Farm Tour And Local Cultural Activities
- Cultural Evening Entertainment
- 18% VAT And 5% Service Charge
Not included
- Park Fees
- Concession Fees
- Game-drive Vehicle And Driver-guide
- Premium Drinks
- Bush Flights And Flight Taxes
- Airport Transfers
- Flying Doctors / Medical Evacuation
- Travel Insurance
- Tips And Gratuities
- Items Of A Personal Nature
Frequently asked
How many rooms does Gibb''s Farm have?
Around twenty Cottages plus two per-unit family Houses (Deutsche House and Bustani House). Maximum capacity sits in the 50-guest range depending on configuration.
When is the farm open?
Year-round. Karatu evenings are cool throughout the year given the 1,500m altitude.
How do guests reach Gibb''s Farm?
Either a 4-hour drive from Kilimanjaro International via Arusha and Karatu, or a 45-minute flight from Arusha Airport to Lake Manyara airstrip followed by a 1hr drive.
Are families with children welcome?
Yes. Deutsche House and Bustani House are built specifically for families, sleeping four under one roof. The farm grounds give children room to explore.
What''s included in the rate?
Full board (breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner), house beverages (water, soft drinks, juices, house drinks), daily laundry, the private farm tour, local cultural activities, cultural evening entertainment, and 18% VAT plus 5% service charge. Excluded: park fees, concession fees, the game-drive vehicle, premium drinks, flights, gratuities.
What is the best time to visit?
Year-round. June to October offers the driest weather; March to May brings the long rains. The farm itself is most lush during and just after the rains.
What's nearby
- Ngorongoro Crater1hr drive. The world's largest intact volcanic caldera with one of Africa's highest wildlife densities.
- Lake Manyara National Park1hr drive. Tree-climbing lions, large baboon troops, alkaline lake with flamingos.
- Olduvai Gorge2hr drive. Paleontological site of the Leakey discoveries with a small museum.
- Iraqw cultural visitsGuided visits to nearby Iraqw villages in the highlands. The Iraqw are the historical pastoralist people of the Karatu area.
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