Activities
Overview
There’s much to do in the area surrounding Karatu. We’re located close to Ngorongoro Conservation Area, home of the World Heritage Ngorongoro Crater and also to Lake Manyara National Park. It’s even possible to do a Day trip to Tarangire and Manayara national parks. Cultural tours are on offer and it’s possible to hike, visit a coffee plantation, shop or visit town or just wander around the surrounding country roads. If you need assistance with any excursions just let us know.
Wildlife and Nature
The gate to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (home to the famous Ngorongoro Crater) is a short drive from us. Lake Manyara National Park is about a forty-minute drive and Tarangire National Park is about one and a half hours away. We’re the perfectly base for a wonderful wildlife and cultural safari experience in northern Tanzania. We can assist you with transportation with prior notice should the need arise.
Culture
There are several cultural tourism programmes nearby that can give you a glimpse of life in small town Tanzania. The predominant tribe in our area is the Iraqw, a cushite people who typically farm the hills and valleys. Wheat, coffee, beans and corn fill the surrounding fields during the growing seasons and local smallholdings provide vegetables, eggs and poultry.
The Maasai people inhabit the Ngorongoro and surrounding area and about two hours away on the Rift Valley floor near Lake Eyasi you’ll find the interesting Barabaig tribe as well as the last remaining true Bushmen in East Africa, the Hadzabe.
Walk or Hike
The well-known hike into the Ngorongoro Forest to the top of a waterfall and the ‘elephant caves’ is situated nearby, about a half-hour drive away. Within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area are several mountains and craters that provide wonderful longer hiking opportunities such as Lemagarut, Sadiman and Empakai. You’ll need to make arrangements to have an armed ranger accompany you for these. It’s also possible and safe to take casual walks or hikes down any of the country lanes near our lodge.
Shop
If you want to venture into the town of Karatu to have a taste of local African life we can arrange a guide or point you in the right direction. Our town has a typical market surrounded by little local shops.
You can buy colourful fabrics called kanga and kitenge. A nearby art gallery offers the best of Tanzania’s fine art including painting and sculpture.
