Gibb’s Farm Ngorongoro | The Epitome of Luxury
Overlooking the Great Rift Valley in Northern Tanzania you find the stunning luxurious Gibb’s Farm, a charming lodge located in Karatu district which is one of the seven districts of the Arusha region of Tanzania. Gibb’s Farm is right between Lake Manyara National Park and the renowned Ngorongoro Crater. With its beautiful lush gardens, charming cottages, intimate environment this luxury lodge is the perfect blend of tranquility and relaxation making it a perfect choice for a base while on safari in East Africa.
Gibb’s Farm has a great history attached to it, built by German settlers in Tanzania in 1929 the property is representative of old authentic architecture with stunning furnishings and elegant decorations both in the lodge’s main areas and the cottages. Taking a stroll through the lodge gives you a feeling of walking through a quiet farm house in the country side. The lodge was initially a coffee plantation that was then transformed in to an accommodation facility but has still maintained its coffee plantation roots and traditional East African aura.
Visitors to Gibb’s Farm are usually drawn to the lodge as a base for their safari to Ngorongoro Conservation Area so they stay here and then transfer to the crater for game viewing and other activities. The striking beauty of the Ngorongoro Crater with its spectacular scenery and abundance of wildlife has led to it being declared as one of the natural wonders of the world. The conservation area is made up of other sections that encompass the Eastern crater highlands with volcanic mass and extensive craters and the lower-lying plains in the Western side which are an extension of the Serengeti Eco system.
Accommodation at Gibb’s Farm
The lodge features 17 luxurious spacious cottages and 2 two bedroom farmhouses, the farmhouses work best for family members travelling together with their children. The cottages are a mix of historic and warm rustic décor with large comfortable beds, wooden floors, beamed ceilings, a fireplace and elegant décor pieces. The rooms are surrounded by beautiful lush green plants and bright flowers and these attract bird species especially sun birds and flycatchers. All the cottages are spread out across the property and a distance away from each other and this offers guests much needed privacy, Gibb’s Farm is the perfect accommodation for uninterrupted relaxation.
One of the cottages at Gibb’s Farm
Each Cottage at Gibb’s Farm features;
A Queen-size bed/s with clean white linen bed sheets, electric blankets and plush throw pillows as well as comfortable white pillows.
Bedside table with extra drawers for storage and bedside lamps.
A Fireplace situated centrally in the cottage and is lit by the staff at night hence adding extra warmth and a cozy atmosphere in the cottage.
A reading desk and chair.
A spacious en-suite bathroom with bath essentials, clean towels, his & hers wash basins, a shower, flush toilet and mirrors. The bathroom also has a bath tub overlooking the lush greenery outside that you can see through the French glass windows.
An outdoor shower.
Hot and cold running water available throughout the day.
Bathroom robes and slippers.
A luggage rack.
Fresh flowers at the cottage entrance, such a lovely touch when you enter the room.
A lounge with sofa chairs right by the fire place and large glass windows that give you a view in to the outside area and as well lets in enough natural light.
A private balcony with recliner wooden chairs, from here you can enjoy lovely views of the gardens or the coffee plantations at a distance.
Facilities and Services at Gibb’s Farm
Restaurant – Gibb’s Farm features an organic garden on the property hence offers fresh delicious farm to table meals. The restaurant has expert onsite chefs dedicated to creating indulging culinary experiences for each guest. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is served at the restaurant. The breakfast has tasty fresh options that include pastries, bacon, eggs of your choice, fresh fruit and bread. Lunch is most times buffet style and the staff can set up nicely inside the restaurant or in the lush green gardens so you get to enjoy your lunch amidst nature. Dinner at Gibb’s Farm is a 4-course meal with tasty fresh food as well. The kitchen caters to all dietary requirements you simply have to inform your tour operator or the lodge staff beforehand so that they are ready to cater to you.
Spa – The spa is a great place to spend time, relax and unwind especially after a long day of activity in Ngorongoro Conservation Area or simply after a long day transferring to the lodge. The lodge’s spa offers holistic therapies and rejuvenating treatments that are based on Maasai healing techniques offered by well-trained therapists.
Swimming Pool – Gibb’s farm features a stunning swimming pool overlooking the expansive farm with sun loungers and umbrellas available. The choice to go take a swim or just chill by the pool is up to you, you can even order your favorite drink while at it.
Gift shop – The gift shop at Gibb’s Farm features wonderful artistic décor pieces, beaded jewelry and other locally sourced items/crafts, it a great place to stop by for some quick shopping during your stay. The gift shop also has organic Arabica coffee for sale that is processed and packed from the coffee plantation at the farm. You can also purchase art from the resident artist who occasionally visits the property and paints onsite, his artwork is displayed in one of the rooms at the lodge.
Bar – The Manor features a well-stocked bar situated at the lodge’s main area, premium wines, spirits and beers are available here. The choice is up to you whether you are looking for a pairing wine for dinner, a cold beer or a cocktail the staff at the bar is ready to get you your desired drink.
Our Review
Gibb’s Farm is what we consider “an intimate luxury lodge.” We highly recommend the lodge and have received great feedback from our guests who have stayed here, we are always told how special, tranquil, and intimate the lodge is with some guests even wishing that they would spend more nights. The staff at Gibb’s Farm are well-trained and attentive, the food is fresh and delicious and the cottages are the epitome of luxury and comfort. A great point to note is that the lodge is located two hours away from the Ngorongoro Crater so might not be ideal for guests who want to stay close by the crater.
Attractions and Activities
Game Drives: What better way to explore the Ngororongoro Conservation Area that on a game drive. Game drives are most definitely the best way to experience Ngorongoro Crater with great chances of excellent game viewing with a mix of beautiful expansive views of the crater. Start out the day with a delicious early breakfast at the lodge then head out in search of the Big Five, large mammals, Herbivores, birds of prey and other wildlife in the crater area. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is famously known internationally for its excellent and rewarding wildlife sightings so prepare for a memorable experience!
Bird watching in Ngorongoro: For the specialist birder, Ngorongoro Conservation Area offers incredible bird watching opportunities as the area is home to over 500 species of birds. Chances of seeing a variety of species including forest birds, water birds, woodland specials, endemic and nearly endemic species are very high. The conservation is an Important Bird Area (IBA) and a key destination for ornithologists from across the world. Areas of birding in Ngorongoro Conservation area include the Crater rim for montane forest birds, Lake Lagaja for water species, Masek at the western end of Olduvai Gorge, a lake in the Empakai Crater and Gorigor which is a fresh water swamp on the eastern side of the Crater floor.
Hot Air Balloon Safari: The hot air balloon safari is a unique way to explore the Ngorongoro Conservation Area as it offers one an opportunity to watch the wildlife from a bird’s view. The balloon safari is magical as it takes you over the crater and you are able to view the wildlife from above and also experience the sections of the crater that aren’t accessed by car. The balloon safari begins quite early at around the hour of 6 am and is a worthwhile safari adventure offering stunning views from atop.
Mountain biking and Visit to the coffee plantations: The lodge offers mountain biking excursions upon request and these involve cycling through the estate and the coffee plantations. The cycling is perfect for adventure enthusiasts and guests who like a bit of activity while on safari. The lodge also offers visits to the coffee plantations that can start right at the lodge, you walk to the plantations, get a glimpse into how coffee goes through process of planting, harvesting and finally to your cup. You can end the activity with coffee tasting.
Visit the Maasai: The Maasai are a famous ethnic Nilotic-speaking tribe in Tanzania and known for their fearsome warrior culture. A visit to a Maasai village brings you closer to the local people and also offers you a glimpse in to their culture and way of life. The Maasai are also known for their colorful traditional wear that consists of colorful sheets and beaded jewelry as well as their interesting traditional dance that involves jumping up high. The Maasai live outside the Crater but the management of the conservation area allows them to graze their animals around the crater rim. The Maasai are majorly pastoralists and have a strong attachment to their livestock. This visit involves visiting their homesteads that are dotted with grass thatched manyattas, spending time talking to the elders and visiting their communities.
Empakaai Crater Hike: The Empakaai Crater is a 540m deep crater that is also a major crater aside from Ngorongoro and is part of the conservation area. The crater is less known but a very rewarding site worth visiting as it has one of the most stunning views in East Africa, the view from the crater rim offers great picturesque moments. The Empakaai Crater was formed by the volcanic collapse that shaped the crater highlands and features a 60m deep soda lake which covers half of the crater area. The soda lake attracts a large flock of flamingos which like to feed on the algae found in the alkaline lake. The hike up to the Empakaai crater rim is a perfect and alternative way to spend time exploring the diverse Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Getting to the Gibb’s Farm
Visitors to the lodge are usually visitors interested in visiting and doing activities in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The lodge can be accessed by road or by flight to a nearby airstrip and then a short drive to the property.
The distance from Arusha town to Gibb’s Farm is 2 hours by road. Arusha town is the main starting point for most of our safaris in Tanzania.
Once at Gibb’s Farm, the drive from the lodge to Ngorongoro Conservation Area is 2 hours. Your driver guide transfers you to and from the crater, usually you have an early delicious breakfast at the lodge then carry packed lunch for the day.
The nearby airstrip for guests who want to avoid the drive from Arusha, they fly into Manyara Airstrip. The distance between Lake Manyara Airstrip and Gibb’s Farm is 30 minutes. If travelling with us, your driver guide waits for you at the airstrip and transfers you to the lodge on arrival.
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