Gibb's Farm
Lodge · Karatu
Gibb's Farm, Karatu, Tanzania
Highlights
Working farm with cottages, gardens, farm-to-table dining
Working farm with cottages, gardens, farm-to-table dining
"Listed by the author as a recommended Tanzania option for multigenerational family safaris. The recommendation is given in the context of planning for comfort and safety across age groups and the article's practical advice about exclusive property buyouts or two-bedroom/interconnected suites for smaller groups." - Maija de Rijk-Uys
"Where is it? At the heart of the Great Rift Valley in Northern Tanzania. How do you get there? Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport, then, it's a 45-minute drive to Arusha, from where you can take a short flight or drive a couple of hours, taking a break at Lake Manyara National Park. What’s the vibe? There are certainly more luxe options scattered around the Ngorongoro Crater area. But Gibb’s Farm, with its farmhouse on the wooded slopes of the crater, built by German farmers as a coffee plantation in 1929, wins hands down on history and character. The entry harks back to another era, with its low, beamed ceilings and stone floors, but the surrounding tropical gardens are the highlight, including an herb garden, cactus garden, rose garden, vegetable garden, and medicinal garden. (The insanely rich volcanic soil makes everything grow like crazy.) There’s a new swimming pool, too, and a spa. How about the rooms? Looking out over a coffee plantation and into the Great Rift Valley, the farm’s 21 cottages have wooden floors, wraparound windows, fireplaces, and bathrooms with indoor and outdoor showers. The interiors are more cottage chic than luxe—simple and rustic, with stone walls, wooden floors, and a fireplace—but they’re all very sweet and typically set with a vase of freshly picked flowers. What can you do here? You can literally walk out the back kitchen door to set off on a six-hour walk through the forest and around the crater rim with one of Gibb’s naturalists (a picnic lunch will meet you there). After lunch overlooking the crater, you drive back down to the farm for G&Ts on the lawn at sunset. You can also explore the neighboring village of Tloma for a taste of rural Tanzanian life, or birdwatch from the hotel, which is home to more than 200 species, including giant kingfishers and silvery-cheeked hornbills. It’s the perfect antidote after days of dusty game drives elsewhere in Tanzania. How about the food?Think classic English fare, prepared with organic vegetables, fruits, and meat from the farm."
"Nestled in the foothills of the Ngorongoro Crater, this property is noted for exceptional, friendly, and very attentive service; many guests wished they could have stayed longer, citing excellent-quality dining and culinary offerings that far exceed expectations." - Heather Richardson Heather Richardson Heather Richardson is a journalist based in Cape Town, South Africa. She writes about travel, conservation, and environmental science for publications such as National Geographic, Nature, BBC Future, and The Guardian. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"A reader who spent time at No. 5 Gibb's Farm, in Tanzania, called it "the most magical place I've ever stayed!" - Travel + Leisure Editors
"Gibb’s Farm captures a kind of relaxed, understated luxury that feels livable — as one reader wrote, “If you want to feel like you are in Africa, but also in the most gorgeous hotel in Napa, and everything is sustainable, thoughtful, and lovely, this place is for you.”" - Travel + Leisure Editors
