Located on the outskirts of Karatu, in the lush Ngorongoro Highlands, Country Lodge Karatu offers a peaceful and affordable retreat in Northern Tanzania’s scenic green belt district. Nestled between Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the lodge is ideally situated for travelers exploring Tanzania’s rich landscapes, vibrant cultures, and world-renowned wildlife destinations.
At Country Lodge Karatu, we embrace the essence of simple country comforts, warm Tanzanian hospitality, and farm-to-table cuisine, growing much of the produce served in our lodge.
A Place of Natural Beauty & Comfort
Set within five acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, our lodge is surrounded by rolling hills, coffee estates, and tropical flora. Bougainvillea, fruit trees, and flowering plants create a haven for birds and butterflies, offering a serene escape from the everyday hustle.
Garden paths lead to twelve double cottages, thoughtfully designed to provide a cozy and restful stay. Whether enjoying the tranquil garden views from your veranda or warming up by a fireplace on a cool highland evening, you’ll feel right at home.
Why Choose Country Lodge Karatu?
✅ Convenient Location – The perfect base for Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, and Lake Eyasi.
✅ Affordable Luxury – Comfortable lodging with excellent food and service at an attractive price point.
✅ Authentic Farm-to-Table Cuisine – Fresh, locally grown ingredients.
✅ A Warm, Homey Atmosphere – Experience genuine Tanzanian hospitality.
✅ Peaceful Natural Surroundings – A lush, flower-filled retreat with abundant birdlife.
As part of the Bougainvillea Group of Lodges, we are committed to outstanding service and authentic experiences.
Accommodation – Spacious & Cozy Cottages
Each of our twelve double cottages is designed with comfort and simplicity, ensuring a restful stay.
🛏️ King or Twin Beds – Cozy, inviting, and fitted with mosquito netting.
🔥 Fireplace – Request a warm, glowing fire on cool evenings.
🌿 Veranda with Seating – Relax with a view of the lush gardens.
🚿 Stone-Enclosed Bathrooms – Featuring a shower and dressing area.
💡 Soft Lighting & Writing Desk – Ideal for journaling about your safari adventures.
🌍 Wi-Fi in Common Areas – Stay connected when needed.
Unforgettable Activities & Excursions
Surrounded by bustling markets, coffee farms, and Tanzania’s iconic safari destinations, Country Lodge Karatu offers countless opportunities for adventure, cultural immersion, and wildlife encounters.
🌍 Nearby National Parks & Wildlife Adventures
🦁 Ngorongoro Crater – A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa’s greatest wildlife wonders.
🌳 Lake Manyara National Park – Home to tree-climbing lions, flamingos, and diverse ecosystems.
🐘 Tarangire National Park – Famous for its massive elephant herds and ancient baobab trees.
🌿 Cultural & Local Experiences
🏹 Lake Eyasi & Hadzabe Bushmen – Experience one of Africa’s last remaining hunter-gatherer tribes.
🏡 Visit a Coffee Plantation – Learn about Tanzania’s renowned coffee industry.
🏘️ Explore Karatu Village – Visit local markets, farms, and artisans.
🧱 Meet a Brickmaker – Discover traditional construction techniques in rural Tanzania.
🚶♂️ Nature & Relaxation
🌳 Hike in the Ngorongoro Forest – Explore the lush, green highlands.
🐦 Birdwatch in the Lodge Gardens – Spot colorful and exotic species.
🚶 Wander Scenic Country Roads – Enjoy peaceful walks amidst nature.
Lodge Facilities & Services
✔ Swimming Pool
✔ Dining Room & Outdoor Seating
✔ Large Lounge with Fireplace
✔ Gift Shop
✔ Massage Services
✔ Wi-Fi in Common Areas
🕑 Check-In: 1:00 PM | Check-Out: 10:00 AM
Discover the Charm of Country Lodge Karatu
A peaceful retreat, a gateway to adventure, and a place where warm hospitality meets breathtaking scenery.
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EXCELLENT Based on 462 reviews alicia d2025-02-17Verified Amazing safari 😎 I enjoy the safari because I see different animals like Lion, Hippo and elephants.Our Guide David was a good guide because he explain in details and give us a more time to enjoy in our safari. Jelanie N2025-02-17Verified Great Experience 👍 I really enjoyed the safari with this Company with my friends on January.Linah provided all the information needed before.I really recommend this company for your future Safari !! Samara H2025-02-15Verified Fantastic safari with exceptional guide Abouh We had the most incredible 4-day safari experience in Tanzania with Serengeti African Tours! From start to finish, everything was seamless, with great communitcation. They were willing to tailor the package to accomodate our requests, meaning we enjoyed a mix of camping and lodge accomodation, the perfect blend of comfort and immersion into the natural beauty of Tanzania. The safari exceeded all expectations but what truly set it apart was our guide Abouh. His knowledge of wildlife and local culture was impressive, finding the perfect balance of informing us and letting us take everything in. His ability to get us to exactly where we needed to be at the right moments ensured we had an opportunity to spot the big 5 (with the exception of a stubborn leopard hiding within a tree). We could not recommend him enough, we are giving him the nickname Mufusa (king) Abouh. Liam R2025-02-15Verified 4 day mixed safari with incredible guide Abouh I had an unforgettable 4-day safari experience in Tanzania, made even more special by our incredible guide, Abouh! From the start, he ensured we were comfortable and seamlessly tailored the trip to our preferences, balancing camping and lodge accommodations for the perfect mix of adventure and comfort. His deep knowledge of wildlife and local culture was impressive, and his ability to spot animals from miles away ensured we were always in the right place at the right time. We were lucky enough to see lions, elephants, giraffes, a rhino, and so much more. The landscape was breathtaking, and everything ran smoothly throughout, thanks to Abouh's expertise. His passion for the safari and dedication to providing an exceptional experience truly set this trip apart. We can't recommend him enough—he's earned the nickname Mufusa Abouh! Zade H2025-02-15Verified Perfect 4 Day Safari with Amazing Guide Amazing! From the get go, communication from Serengeti African Tours was fantastic, with quick replies that answered all our questions. Everything apart from tipping was included in our initial price, including park fees, food, accomodation etc. and it all met and exceeded expectations. The safari itself was phenomenal, each national park had its own unique touch and diverse wildlife that constantly kept us interested.We managed to see lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, rhinos and so much more!! This was all thanks to our brilliant driver Abouh, he always knew exactly where to go and his driving was exceptional, we were often the first ones to spot an animal. Even when there were many cars around an animal, Abouh got us the perfect view every time, he is the king!! His knowledge about the animals was also top notch. I would highly recommend Serengeti African tours and would book with them and Abouh again, the next time I’m in Tanzania. Mikayla K2025-02-15Verified Incredible 4 day safari with fantastic tour guide Abouh I had an amazing safari experience in Tanzania, and it was made even better by our fantastic tour guide Abouh!! From the moment we set out, he made sure we were comfortable and shared his incredible knowledge about the animals. His ability to spot wildlife from miles away and his commitment to quickly getting us to a spot with animals was impressive. We saw lions, elephants, giraffes, even a rhino and so much more! The landscape was stunning, and the entire trip felt seamless, thanks to our guide’s expertise. If you're looking for an unforgettable adventure, I highly recommend this safari & our tour guide Abouh! Jacob A2025-02-06Verified Amazing tour! We had an amazing time with KING David from Serengeti African Tours. David is such a good guide and I would recommend everyone to book a safari trip with him. The communication between us and the company was smooth and they helped us with all our needs. Clara A2025-02-06Verified Amazing Safari Tour!! We loved our trip with Serengeti African Tours and we really recommend this company to everyone.Our amazing guide David was the best! He are so kind, funny and always find the best spot to see the animals. We had a very good time with him and he got a place in our hearts. He will always do the best for the tourists experience.Also Lina, who we communicated with before and sometimes during the safari was also so kind and made us feel very comfortable. She answered our text message all the time, both during days and nights. My O2025-02-05Verified Amazing safari We loved the safari!! We were picked up at the airport and got a quick briefing on how the safari should work (we went on a five-day safari where we visited Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro). The day after our amazing guide David picked us up at the hotel and wow what we got to experience a lot. He was a very experienced guide and knew a lot about the animals and knew every road by heart in all the parks. We got to see incredibly cool animals and the accommodations we stayed at were above expectations. It was good food all day and fresh accommodations, we loved to combine staying at nice lodges with pool and to stay in glamping tents out in the wilderness with the animals just outside. Linah had incredibly quick response to all the questions they had before booking. All were very hospitable and we can warmly recommend Serengeti African Tour and King David as a guide!! Eugen S2025-02-02Verified Great team & tour We were very lucky to have a great group of people joining us on the safari, the tour guides were nice and the views & spots were awesome. We managed to spot the Big Five :-) The price was great for the quality.
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We are true experts when it comes to Tanzania. We live, work and travel here. Serengeti African Tours arranges lodge and camping safaris, trekking and hiking tours and beach holidays. We carefully select our well-trained guides, drivers, cooks and porters.