Plantation Lodge

Originally a German family homestead on a coffee farm in the rolling hills of Karatu in northern Tanzania, Plantation Lodge Ngorongoro is acclaimed as one of the most beautiful safari hotels in all of East Africa and is ideally located between the historic Ngorongoro Conservation Area and popular Lake Manyara National Park. 

Plantation Lodge Ngorongoro is an oasis of peace and tranquillity in its lush setting of nearly 3 hectares of beautifully maintained gardens, in which more than a thousand trees have been planted – it’s a refreshing change from the large and impersonal lodges on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater. It started off as one room for guests but soon grew into this 22-roomed lodge for visitors who love being in a homely country estate close to select safari destinations in Ngorongoro. 

Choose Ngorongoro Plantation Lodge for its charming décor, setting and farmhouse design, its attention to detail and service with a smile.  Unwind in the shady gardens packed with fruit trees, vegetables and beautiful subtropical plants or stretch out beside the large swimming pool and birdwatch for hours. 

Chat in the evenings at Plantation Lodge beside the fireplace or sip a cocktail at the bar and watch the sun sink behind the mountains. Spend long fascinating days out exploring Ngorongoro Crater and its resident wildlife populations, its ancient geology and mind-blowing ecosystems or head to Lake Manyara to gasp in awe at the millions of pink flamingos there feeding all day, along with pelicans and other water birds.

Located in the Karatu area of northern Tanzania, between Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Lake Manyara National Park, Plantation Lodge is an oasis of peace and tranquillity, beautifully placed in nearly 3 hectares of beautifully maintained gardens with more than a thousand planted trees. It’s a new feeling and a family approach in comparison to the typical larger safari lodges on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater. 

Plantation Lodge is in just the right area to easily access most of  Tanzania’s northern safari circuits including Lake Manyara National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park, and the Empakaai & Olmoti Crater.

This splendid homestead was once a farm house and now provides Ngorongoro Crater accommodation in 17 standard rooms and 6 plush suites. The rooms have fireplaces or wood-burning stoves, with some having terraces complete with sun loungers or easy chairs. Most rooms inter-lead to form family rooms. 

The suites are more spacious and more private than the standard rooms and offer well-stocked mini-bars, separate lounges with fireplaces and some have separate baths. 

Languidly stroll in the verdant tropical gardens with nothing else but your thoughts and bird melodies to keep you company. Alternatively, spend your day by the poolside or take a dip in the kidney-shaped pool for a refreshing swim. Plantation Lodge offers free guided walks to nearby coffee plantations and wine tasting. Its proximity to the crater as well as Lake Manyara makes it the perfect for your Tanzania safari.