Plantation Lodge offers a perfect foil to the exertion and exhilaration of a Tanzanian safari. The 16 guest suites and cottages fan out around the original coffee lodge, which has an authentic ‘Out of Africa’ feel -  polished parquet floors, high garden-facing French windows, Planter-style furniture, whirling overhead fans and African memorabilia. The mood at Plantation Lodge is cool and measured, one of respite and retreat. Plantation Lodge offers just 15 elegant, ensuite rooms. Every room has its own style wherein African safari-antiques and Tanzanian arts and crafts are fused with graceful modern amenities. The Plantation Lodge accommodation is presented in the form of individual self-contained houses, each with their own dining room, sitting room, fireplace and verandah. Garden House offers four double bedrooms in a two-storey home with lounge, fireplaces, dining room and timbered terrace. There is a swimming pool with stunning views of the valleys, set in the extensive, park-like gardens.

Location

Plantation Lodge is located on the outskirts of Karatu on the lower slopes of the Ngorongoro Crater - a two or three-hour drive from Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport and a 45 minute drive from Lake Manyara Airfield. Plantation Lodge is a 20 minute drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Ngorongoro Crater, which lie  south-east of the Serengeti National Park, 165 kms from Arusha.

Safari 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.

Accommodation

Plantation Lodge offers just 15 elegant, ensuite rooms. Every room has its own style wherein African safari-antiques and Tanzanian arts and crafts are fused with graceful modern amenities. The Plantation Lodge accommodation is presented in the form of individual self-contained houses, each with their own dining room, sitting room, fireplace and verandah. Garden House offers four double bedrooms in a two-storey home with lounge, fireplaces, dining room and timbered terrace. The rooms lie generously distributed throughout the flowering garden, some with verandas and direct access to the garden. Individuality is a major feature of Plantation Lodge, where each room has its own style, choice accessories and bouquets of fresh flowers from the garden.

Dining and bars

At Plantation Lodge meals are served in the private dining rooms of the cottages and major on fresh produce grown locally – often from the lodge’s own 45 acre grounds. Plantation Lodge maintains an excellent wine cellar. Lunch can also be served on the terrace or in the garden.

Conference and event facilities

Plantation Lodge 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

Plantation Lodge is surrounded by coffee plantations and the famous ‘green hills of Africa’ that Hemingway found so inspiring. Its romantic setting and high standards of accommodation, food and service have made it a popular location for weddings.
This Tanzania lodge makes an ideal Tanzania wedding destination. The lodge also offers wedding and honeymoon packages.

Child-friendly facilities

Plantation Lodge welcomes children and will be pleased to supply additional beds.

What to see and do
There is a swimming pool with stunning views of the valleys, set in the extensive, park-like gardens. Guests can walk beneath the avocado and eucalyptus trees and listen to the calls of over 40 different kinds of domestic birds.

The lodge also offers
Coffee plantation tours
Farm tours
Massage

Typical Tanzania safari experiences at Plantation Lodge include: morning or afternoon tours of the Ngorongoro Crater, safari game drives in especially adapted 4WD safari vehicles (with professionally trained Tanzania safari guides) around the crater rim, safari bush breakfasts, lunches and dinners; cocktails around the lodge safari campfire and guided safari walks around the crater rim, visits to view ancient rock art. Plantation Lodge also offers ornithological tours, cultural performances and visits to the local Maasai people of Tanzania.

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.