PLANTATION LODGE

OFFICIAL CATEGORY (Ministry of Tourism classification): TBA
DESCRIPTION: The place is very neatly tucked away on a coffee farm in the hills near to the town of Karatu. When you get here you will see the beauty of this part of the world. Sweeping hills with thick green vegetation make you want to stay forever. This lodge has a very personal touch to it. From the minute you walk in, you are pampered by the local staff that is perhaps too eager to help you. This charming lodge is surrounded by farmland and is owner run, producing coffee and flower seeds as well as traditional corn crops. The Lodge lies in an oasis of green between wheat and flower fields, and coffee plantations. Green grass and flowers in the vivid colors of the African continent will lead you into a new, unknown world - a small paradise that attracts numerous birds.

LOCATION: The lodge is situated a short distance (30 KM) from Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara, two of the most famous parks in the Tanzanian Northern Circuit. From the crater viewpoint at the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, it is about a 45-minute drive to Plantation Lodge. Add about another 20 to 30 minutes of transit time to any of the lodges on the Crater from the viewpoint. Lake Manyara is located only about 30 minutes from Plantation Lodge. Tarangire and Arusha are both located about 2 hours from Plantation Lodge though in opposite directions. Add about 1 hour to get from Arusha to Kilimanjaro.

NUMBER OF ROOMS: There are a total of 14 double rooms of which 6 can be converted into triples. The lodge is basically a house that has been converted for guest accommodation. There are various little houses located around the gardens which guests stay in. One of the best features is a huge house which can accommodate groups or families

ROOM AMENITIES: The Lodge comprises a number of houses, all with spacious rooms. The 16 rooms in the gardens have en-suite bathrooms and comfortable beds with mosquito nets. The most interesting is room 5, the honeymoon suite. This room has a special shower/ jacuzzi bath which has millions of buttons for the various settings. It is highly recommended for a romantic night.

ROOM DECOR: The decor is a European African theme and all rooms are decorated individually with safari antiques and Tanzania arts and crafts. There are also private verandahs, which are well furnished that look out over the surrounding grounds. Beautiful gardens allow you some time alone and away from it all.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE FACILITIES: The majority of the menu at Plantation consists of locally grown vegetables from the surrounding farms as well as meats from locally raised livestock. Save your appetite as Plantation Lodge offers some of the tastiest dishes you will encounter on safari. The majority of the food provided is organically grown right on the nearby farm. Vegetarians are well catered too, as well. The meals in general and especially dinner are superb. The meals here are roughly equivalent to that of the nearby Gibbs Farm. There is also an excellent selection of fine South African wines. Though wines and other alcoholic beverages are not included at Plantation Lodge, they are very reasonably priced.

Dinner is served in four courses. Two starters or appetizers are offered plus a salad before the main course. You may select from several dishes for the main course including both meat and vegetarian plates. Lastly, desert is offered plus coffee or tea.

GENERAL FACILITIES:
Personalized and detailed service
There are also facilities available for younger children.

RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES:
• Private game drives
• Relaxing by the pool
• Picnic lunches
• Cultural visit
• Short walks
• Birding from the lodge

CONFERENCE FACILITIES: Nil

CLIMATE: Hot during the day and chilly in the evenings.

KISIMA NGEDA TENTED CAMP

OFFICIAL CATEGORY (Ministry of Tourism Classification): TBA

LOCATION: Kifaru lodge is set high up in the farmland outside Karatu on the edge of the forest reserve, it's a forty minute drive from Manyara and about an hour and three quarter from the Ngorongoro crater.

DESCRIPTION: Near the primeval woodlands of Ngorongoro Conversation Area is a vast plantation with Fields of coffee, grain, vegetables and flowers. Here on an African farm surrounded by Untouched wilderness is the Kifaru Lodge. This lodge is situated in the midst of perhaps the most scenic and wildlife territories of Africa. Here you can enjoy the mysterious world of the Dark Continent and gather unforgettable impressions in comfort and safety. The owners have converted their coffee farm into a guesthouse but still maintain coffee production. The place is very small and personal with fantastic views of the cascading valleys below and the coffee fields.

NUMBER OF ROOMS: There are 10 rooms in total which are located in 3 separate houses on the property.
The 2 honeymoon rooms are in a house located a short distance away from the main buildings and are very romantic with a private veranda. The guest-houses, design to meet the diverse needs of single, families with children or Even groups, will also ensure privacy, far away from the beaten track.

Room amenities: They are all en suite and look like a personal room you would encounter as a guest at a farm. They all overlook the valley and the coffee fields and have small ensuite bathrooms. Accommodation is divided up into three separate houses and there is a central dining room where everybody eats together.

Room Décor: The rooms are not large and they are very simply decorated, the rooms are individually furnished in a different theme but they are comfortable and many have a fireplace.

SPECIAL FEATURE: Very low key and small lodge, but it has a friendly and intimate

FOOD AND BEVERAGE FACILITIES: Main house with restaurant and bar
Fruit and vegetables available in the farm

GENERAL FACILITIES: Accept all major credit cards

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES:
• Cultural visits to local village
• Tennis court
• Swimming pool
• Coffee estate walks

CONFERENCE FACILITIES:
None

CLIMATE: Being so high up (almost 7500 ft) at certain times of the year, mainly July and August, Kifaru can be stuck in cloud for much of the morning, but this is no doubt one of the reasons the extensive gardens are so fertile.

Arusha Hotels l Ngorongoro Lodges l Serengeti Lodges