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Karatu Simba Lodge by Simba Portfolio

Garden cottages on the edge of Karatu, an easy rest between the Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara.

01 / 06
Tier
Comfort
Location
Karatu
Reviews
4.7 ★ on TripAdvisor
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About

About Karatu Simba Lodge by Simba Portfolio.

Karatu Simba Lodge sits in the green farming highlands of Karatu, beside the Ngorongoro Forest and a short drive from the road up to the Ngorongoro Crater. Twenty three cottages are spread through gardens that look out over fields, forest and the distant Crater rim, and the whole place runs on solar power with solar heated water.

This is Karatu country, the natural overnight point on almost every northern circuit safari. The lodge is about thirty minutes from the Lake Manyara gate and within easy reach of the Crater, which makes it a practical base for the two parks while staying out of the busier lodges closer to the rim.

The cottages are built from stone and canvas with a solid private bathroom, hardwood furniture, mosquito nets and a small deck. Meals are full board and lean on the kitchen garden and local produce, with bread baked daily and coffee grown nearby. A swimming pool, a lounge and an evening campfire round out a calm, unhurried stay.

It suits first time travellers and families who want a comfortable, friendly place to break the journey between Tarangire and the Crater, with warm service that guests return to in their reviews.

Signature experiences

Why guests choose it.

  1. Ngorongoro Crater game drive

    A full day on the Crater floor, one of the densest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. The lodge sits within easy reach of the access road.

  2. Lake Manyara day trip

    Game drives among the groundwater forest, flamingos and tree climbing lions of Lake Manyara, about thirty minutes away.

  3. Ngorongoro Forest walk

    A guided walk into the forest behind the lodge, with elephant caves and rich birdlife along the way.

  4. Karatu coffee and culture

    A visit to a working coffee farm and nearby villages for a taste of daily life in the highlands.

Room types

Where you will sleep.

Standard Room

Stone and canvas cottages set among the gardens, each with a solid private bathroom, hardwood furniture, mosquito nets and a small deck. Available as single, double, twin or triple.

At a glance

The essentials, in brief.

Amenities

  • Swimming Pool With Sun Deck
  • Restaurant
  • Lounge
  • Free wireless internet in common areas
  • Garden Grounds
  • Campfire
  • Solar Power

Best for

  • First Time Safari
  • Families
  • Crater And Manyara Base
  • Couples

Wildlife and nature

  • Ngorongoro Crater big five within reach
  • Lake Manyara tree climbing lions and flamingos
  • Forest elephant and buffalo behind the lodge
  • Rich Highland Birdlife

Best time to visit

When to go.

  • January: best
  • February: best
  • March: not a best month
  • April: not a best month
  • May: not a best month
  • June: best
  • July: best
  • August: best
  • September: best
  • October: best
  • November: not a best month
  • December: not a best month
Best months

Best months: January to February and June to October.

Location & access

Getting there.

Location

Karatu

Arriving by air

Fly to Lake Manyara airstrip, around 30 minutes from Arusha by light aircraft, then about a 40 minute road transfer up to the lodge.

By road

About 4.5 to 5 hours by road from Kilimanjaro International Airport, through Arusha and up onto the Karatu highlands. Roughly 3 to 4 hours from Arusha town.

On the map

Where it sits.

3.277° S, 35.732° E

What's included

What the rate covers.

Included

  • Full Board (3 Meals Daily)
  • Tea And Coffee
  • Bottled Water In The Room
  • VAT And Tourism Development Levy

Not included

  • Park Entry Fees
  • Game Drives
  • Drinks other than water in the room
  • Laundry
  • Telephone Calls
  • Travel And Medical Insurance
  • Flights And Airport Taxes
  • Transfers
  • Gratuities
  • Items Of A Personal Nature
  • Tanzania inbound travel insurance, 44 USD per adult (children 3 to 17 half price, under 3 free), compulsory from 1 October 2026 and bought online before travel

Frequently asked

Questions, answered.

How many rooms does Karatu Simba Lodge have?

Twenty three garden cottages, available as singles, doubles, twins and triples.

Where is the lodge and what is nearby?

It sits in the Karatu highlands beside the Ngorongoro Forest, about thirty minutes from the Lake Manyara gate and within easy reach of the Ngorongoro Crater.

How do guests reach the lodge?

Most guests arrive by road, about 3 to 4 hours from Arusha. You can also fly to Lake Manyara airstrip and transfer about 40 minutes by road.

Are families with children welcome?

Yes. Children aged six and over are welcome, and under thirteens share a room with an adult.

What is included in the rate?

Full board with three meals daily, tea and coffee, and bottled water in the room. Park fees, game drives and drinks other than water are charged separately.

When is the best time to visit?

The lodge is open year round. The dry months from June to October are the classic game viewing season for the nearby Crater and Lake Manyara.

Is there electricity in the cottages and where can I charge camera batteries?

The lodge runs on solar power, with solar heated water in the cottages. Each room has a power strip for charging small devices and a torch is provided. Hair dryers cannot be used because they overload the solar system.

Is there wireless internet?

Yes, free wireless internet in the common areas. Karatu is a town, so mobile signal is usually steady, but do not count on a connection inside your cottage.

What medical cover should I arrange?

Karatu is one of the few places on the northern circuit with proper hospital services close by, and FAME Medical in town is the facility most visitors use. Travel and medical insurance is still not included in the rate, so bring cover that includes emergency evacuation.

What is the weather like and what should I pack?

Karatu sits at about 1,420 metres in the farming highlands, so mornings and evenings are cool even when the days are warm. Bring a fleece or a warm jacket for early starts to the Crater, which is colder again on the rim.

Do I need travel insurance to visit?

Yes. From 1 October 2026 visitors entering mainland Tanzania must hold the government inbound travel insurance, 44 USD per adult and valid for up to 92 days, covering emergency medical care, evacuation, repatriation and lost luggage. Children aged 3 to 17 pay half and infants under 3 are free. It is bought online before you fly or on arrival, and residents of Tanzania and of East African and SADC countries are exempt. If you land in Zanzibar first, the Zanzibar policy covers you instead. It is paid by you directly and is not part of your trip price.

What's nearby

Worth the short trip.

  • Ngorongoro Crater

    One of the seven natural wonders of Africa, a short drive from the lodge for a full day of game viewing on the Crater floor.

  • Lake Manyara National Park

    Around thirty minutes away, known for its forest, soda lake birdlife and tree climbing lions.

  • Lake Eyasi

    A cultural day trip to meet the Hadzabe and Datoga communities who live around the lake.

Nearby

Other places to stay nearby.

Plan this stay

Break the northern circuit at Karatu Simba Lodge

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