Plantation Lodge

Originally a German family homestead on a coffee farm in the rolling hills of Karatu in northern Tanzania, Plantation Lodge 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 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. 

Choose 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 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 standard rooms feature en-suite facilities with twin basins, spacious showers, flush toilet, toiletries and dressing gowns. 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. Meet up with all guests in the main areas to chill in 2 large elegant dining rooms, a comfortable seating area and bar. There is a large pool at the bottom end of the garden with spectacular views of the valley below.

Dining at this superb lodge in Tanzania is a lavish affair. Sumptuous European cuisine and exotic dishes are prepared using fresh vegetables and herbs from the garden and are accompanied by your choice of exquisite South African wines. Meals are served in the dining rooms, wine cellar or alfresco on the courtyard or in the lush gardens. 

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.

Voyage2Africa incorporates a few nights at this wonderful Ngorongoro Crater accommodation with a few nights in the Lake Manyara National Park, plus some time in the splendid Serengeti game viewing all day and all night. Chat to us about our special tours to East Africa today.