The Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area, Tanzania
At the edge of a forest facing the Mbulu Hills to the southeast, this charming 80-year old Gibb's Farm farmhouse set in lush gardens and is still a working farm and coffee plantation. Originally built by German settlers in 1929, it retains almost all of its original atmosphere and now offers 22 luxurious farm cottages, all with private verandas, garden bathrooms and open fireplaces.
The Gibb's Farm restaurant produces excellent meals using organic vegetables grown on the farm. Gibb's Farm also offers a spa, where a traditional Masai healer provides treatments made from local plants and materials. Gibb's Farm offers numerous activities, cultural tours, guided walks and more.
The Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area
Often referred to as ‘the eighth wonder of the world' the Ngorongoro Crater is one of Africa's best-known wildlife arenas. A World Heritage Site, the Ngorongoro Crater is also one of the largest volcanic craters in the world (almost 20 kilometres wide, 610-760 metres deep and covering a total area of 264 square kilometres). Due to the high concentration of wildlife in the Ngorongoro Crater, close-range viewing opportunities and striking scenery the Ngorongoro Crater is one of Tanzania's most visited sites (400,000 visitors in 2007). The Ngorongoro Crater is part of the larger Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area.
Tanzania luxury safari lodge: location
Gibb's Farm is 4km from Karatu, at the edge of a forest facing the Mbulu Hills to the southeast. Gibb's Farm is 45 minutes' from Kilimanjaro International Airport, 1 hour from Manyara airstrip, 1.5 hours from Arusha National Park, and 1.5 hours from Tarangire National Park.
Your Tanzania lodge safari
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) was established in 1959, most of it having previously belonged to the now contiguous Serengeti National Park. The Ngorongoro Crater is only one of many natural attractions that are contained within the vast boundaries (8,300 sq km) of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
These include both dormant and active volcanoes, soaring mountains, archaeological treasures, rolling plains, rivers, forests, lakes and shifting sand dunes whilst almost half of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is made up of vast tracts of open grassland, which swing in a vast arc stretching from the Serengeti in the northwest through the Gol Mountains to the Salei Plain in the northeast.
Olduvai Gorge
Close (20kms) to the centre of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is Olduvai Gorge, the ‘Cradle of Mankind', where the remains of our earliest ancestors, the hominids, were found.
The Ngorongoro Crater wildlife highlights
The Ngorongoro Crater hosts a large population of ungulates and high numbers of predators, particularly lion. The only absentees from the usual East African large mammals are the giraffe, impala and female and young elephants.
Tanzania luxury safari lodge: accommodation
Gibb's Farm offers 22 luxurious farm cottages, recently upgraded and all with private verandas, garden bathrooms and open fireplaces.
Tanzania luxury safari lodge: dining and bars
Gibb's Farm organic fruit and vegetable garden provides the ingredients needed for three healthy, fresh home-cooked meals a day. Start your day with a cup of freshly roasted Gibb's Farm coffee; move onto a wide buffet selection of fresh fruit, fresh juice, yogurt and homemade granola and muffins; and top it off with a hot cooked plate of fresh eggs, bacon, sausage and pancakes served at your table.
The famous Gibb's Farm Farm-Style buffet lunch includes wood-oven baked bread, a soup, a wide selection of savory meat and vegetable pies, quiches, fresh and creative salads as well as a few traditional African dishes. Save room for Gibb's Farm's legendary rhubarb crumble, chocolate mousse, rice pudding and chocolate pudding.
Conference and event facilities Gibb's Farm
Gibb's Farm does not offer specific conference facilities but will be happy to quote for small meetings and social gatherings. Tanzania lodge incentives can also be arranged within the Ngorongoro Crater or the larger Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Weddings and honeymoons Gibb's Farm
This Tanzania lodge makes an ideal Tanzania wedding destination. The lodge also offers wedding and honeymoon packages.
Child-friendly facilities Gibb's Farm
Gibb's Farm welcomes children and will be pleased to supply additional beds.
What to see and do Gibb's Farm
A diverse variety of experiences are possible during a visit to Gibb's Farm. "A Farm Life" activity program encourages cultural awareness, an historical interest, a connection to nature and a desire for adventure - and still leaves ample time for relaxing and enjoying the gentle rhythm of farm life.
African Living Spa
The Gibb's Farm African Living Spa is a complete sensory journey. Treatments for travelers are based on indigenous Maasai healing techniques that have been passed through the hands of many generations. Ole Labiki Menyengera, third-generation Maasai healer, and founder of Gibb's Farm OSERO FOREST CLINIC, devotes his time and knowledge to guests and employees of Gibb's Farm.
Afternoon Tea
The quintessential English Tea: Gibb's Farm coffees and teas, accompanied by Farm-baked cake and tea biscuits. Choose your teatime spot: the Gardens, your personal verandah, The Library, The Lounge, or The Sitting Room. Or spend teatime at the staff teahouse in the vegetable garden.
Garden Tour
Horticulturist Paskali Gwandu supervises the care of hundreds of species of flora, and herb gardener Daudi tends to the aromatic herb garden of Gibb's Farm. The 40-minute leisurely walk is a tour through a natural history museum: many plants have been here since 1959, when Margaret Gibb first started the Gibb's Farm flower garden.
Farm Walk
Farm Manager Petro Qwaridi appreciates your interest, although few come to Tanzania to see cows and pigs. Experience a real working Tanzanian Farm and try your hands at milking a cow on the Farm Walk. Explore our 10-acre fruit and vegetable garden, and learn about the sustainable farming methods used at Gibb's Farm.
Ngorongoro Forest Walk
This 2-hour walk covers the best of the Gibb's Farm estate. Guided by a Gibb's Farm naturalist, trails meander into the valley to a waterfall, through dense forest pathways, coffee fields and village trails.
Waterfall / Elephant Caves
Gibb's Farm shares a border with Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Just inside the conservation area, a majestic waterfall beckons travelers to enjoy a light hike through the forest highlands. Along the way, experience the ‘elephant caves': cave-like structures created by elephants digging up the earth to ingest the vitamin-rich soil. This soil also attracts other large animals like Buffalo, Bushbuck, Waterbuck, and Baboons.
Birding
Currently, Gibb's Farm is home to over 220 different species of birds, and avid birders are encouraged to contribute new sightings to our bird list . Many guests simply enjoy sitting in the gardens, binoculars trained on flowers and trees, or in the skies of the rolling valley below. However, personalized bird walks with a trained naturalist can also be arranged.
Jogging
Manager John loves to run on Gibb's Farm and along the forest and village trails. If the high elevation does not bother you, (5,700 feet) join in! A great way to see the village.
Coffee Roasting
Gibb's Farm has been cultivating coffee for decades. Guests are welcome to enjoy the aroma of coffee roasting, daily at The Farmhouse.
Tloma Primary School Visit
Gibb's Farm has been supporting the Tloma Primary School for years. A visit is easily arranged for those who wish to experience rural Tanzania and observe first-hand the challenges facing education today.
Cultural Journey
Explore Tloma Village by bike, foot or car. Meet a local family and learn about Iraqw culture and traditional ways of life. Admire the women's pot-making techniques, try your hand at pounding grain, and taste the local brew.
Karatu Town Tour
Wander the streets and markets of Karatu, and take in the sights and sounds of 21st century small town Africa. The tour includes a visit to the market, local bar, hair salon and various other small businesses.
Village Walk
This is a one to two hour leisurely walk around our neighboring village of Tloma. An intimate look into Tanzanian village life.
Artists-in-Residence
Guests to Gibb's Farm can discover original work through Sanaa, the Farm's Artists-in-Residence program. Meet some of East Africa's talented artists, watch them work and unearth some of the continent's finest work.
Indigenous Medicine Walk
Ole Labiki Menyengera, Gibb's Farm Indigenous Maasai Healer, leads Medicinal Walks into Ngorongoro Forest around the Farm. Olemoran, Olaiyapiyap and Osinoni are just a few of over twenty medicines described on the walk. Commonly used in Tanzania to treat health problems, these and other herbal medicines are also used at Osero Clinic, a facility established in 2005 to provide health care for the Farm's employee community.
Reflection & Discussion
Early evenings are a perfect time to reflect. Naturalists, Farm Managers and Indigenous Healers take turns doing daily half hour presentations in The Farmhouse. Indigenous medicine, the history of Gibb's Farm, animal behavior, birds and flora are all possible topics for discussion. A good time to ask questions and get to know some of the talented and knowledgeable people in our community.
Hippo Pools Sunset Safari
The Hippo Pools Sunset Safari leaves Gibb's Farm after an early lunch. A guided afternoon game drive through the famous Manyara National Park culminates in drinks and snacks at the stunning Hippo Pools sunset spot.
Farm to Crater Rim Walking Safari
Guided by a Naturalist from Gibb's Farm as well as Rangers from Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the Gibb's Farm Farm-to-Rim Walking Safari is an exciting wilderness experience that is only possible by leaving the vehicle and striking out on foot. Along the 6-7 hours walk, one traverses untouched forests and encounters unique plant life and rare birdlife.
Mountain Biking
See the village from a new perspective on the Village Cycle Tour. Or, for the adventurous, a day trip from Gibb's Farm through the fertile valley to Rotia is an unforgettable experience: a wonderful way to get out and see rural Tanzania!
Canoeing on Lake Manyara
Gibb's Farm naturalists guide canoeing trips along the shores of Lake Manyara. A true escape from reality, this peaceful 2-hour journey is an unforgettable experience.
Night Drive in Lake Manyara National Park
African nocturnal animals are some of the most exciting animals to observe - and can only be viewed on a night drive. After a bush dinner under the stars, Gibb's Farm naturalists guide you through the night for an adventure of a lifetime.
Tanzania safari lodge experiences around the Ngorongoro Crater
Wildlife and cultural venues in the vicinity of the lodge and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area include:
• Ol Duvai Gorge - world renowned paleolithic site
• The Serengeti National Park
• Lake Manyara National Park
• The nearby Empaki volcanic crater
• Tarangire National Park
Gibb's Farm - Ngorongoro • Tanzania Safari - Eco-Friendly Farmhouse
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