GIBBS FARM

Gibbs Farm: Our View

Gibbs Farm is located in a beautiful area surrounded by rolling hills and the lodge's own coffee plantation.  Although some may argue that the lodge is located too far away from the crater, in reality its location places it within a 30 minute drive from both the Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara - meaning that it is an excellent base for safaris to both regions.

Gibbs Farm is a lovely choice for accommodation in the Ngorongoro highlands. It is rather highly priced and tends to attract a lot of groups that pass by as many tours like to use it for a lunch spot. So it gets a good 3 paw rating.

Gibbs Farm: The Detail

Located in the Karatu area of Northern Tanzania, approximately one hours drive from the Ngorongoro Crater rim, Gibbs Farm gives guests good access to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Lake Manyara. The lodge is located approximately one hours drive from the nearest airstrip at Lake Manyara.
 
Built in the early 20th century by German settlers, Gibbs Farm was established as a coffee farm, and became property of the British Custodian of Enemy Property after the Second World War.  In 1948 it was sold to British war veteran James Gibb, who restored the neglected coffee farm and settled here with his wife Margaret, who started a small vegetable and flower garden.
 
 The farm became a lodge in 1972, twelve years after the Ngorongoro Conservation Area was established around it. The coffee plantation was sold after James Gibb died in 1977, leaving enough land for extensive flower and vegetable gardens and a dairy, which supply the lodge with fresh organic produce.

The lodge, an 80-year-old farmhouse has 20 luxurious ensuite cottages and are still today the heart of a working African farm.  There are resident naturalists, guides, artists and indigenous healers at the African Living Spa.  You can wander through extensive floral & medicinal gardens and a private forest reserve and explore 30 acres of coffee, 10 acres of herbs and vegetables and a dairy and pig farm: all 100% organic and the source of their famous home-cooked meals.

Each farm cottage, nestled in its own secluded flower garden, has spacious interiors with panoramic windows, private verandah and wraparound fireplace, garden bathroom with indoor and outdoor showers, generous bathtub as well as a garden fireplace.