GUIDE ON GIBB’S FARM NEAR NGORONGORO CRATER - HIGHLANDS

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Built in 1929, Gibb’s Farm is one of the oldest guest-houses in Tanzania. Set in the Ngorongoro Highlands near Karatu Village, it commands sweeping views of the Great African Rift Valley, with forested hills, patchwork fields of fruit and vegetables, and coffee plantations. A 45-60 minutes’ drive to Ngorongoro Crater where abundant treasury of African wildlife as well as to many other local sites of interest such as Lake Manyara said by Ernest Hemingway to be the most beautiful lake to be seen on an Africa tour.

Game viewing drives with your specialist AfricanMecca Safaris guide to the crater floor allow you to experience the riches of the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage site and natural wild-life haven forming a microcosm of varied landscapes within the 100 square kilometers enclosed by the largest unbroken volcanic caldera in the world.



Thousands of wildebeest and zebra share this world wonder with hundreds of other species, from hippo in the marshes to lion and elephant on the grasslands, and endangered rhino around the fever-tree forests.

As a variation to the usual agenda of a Tanzania safari accommodation, Gibb’s farm provides additional opportunities to share in the daily activities of a working eco-farm, committed to promoting a sustainable balance between tourism, agriculture, the welfare of the indigenous Iraqw people, and the amazing wildlife of the area. Set among beautiful flower gardens, the farm promotes healthy exercise, home-grown organic food, and tranquil relaxation. It is a perfect location for a honeymoon holiday in Africa.

Accommodation At Gibb’s Farm

Gibb’s Farm boasts of 17 cottages and a charming old-fashioned farm house with timber roof beams. All have mains power and are delightfully equipped with hand-crafted furniture made on site. They now have corner hearths or wood-burners and cozy armchairs. The bathrooms have stylish vanity units, baths with a view, and indoor and outdoor showers. Bedrooms are enormous, with 2 queen beds and mosquito drapes. The lounge areas are spacious with tables and chairs looking out onto decking and restful garden views.



There are plenty of hide-away nooks for outdoor enjoyment as well as secluded lawns and alcoves for private breakfasts or for simply reveling in the glorious views, appreciating the marvelous gardens and watching some of the 200 species of fascinating birds they attract. Guided nature walks and bike rides to areas of interest are featured amongst the many attractions of a Gibb’s Farm Safari with AfricanMecca, as are visits to local towns and markets.

A skilled Maasai healer, expert in the herbal remedies of his people, is happy to give restoring massage to clients pleasantly exhausted by their African safari pursuits. Gibb’s farm is open all year and welcomes children of all ages. The entire farm is open access to visitors who are very welcome to take an interest in such activities as feeding the animals or watching resident artists and craftsmen at work, or even helping to bake bread and gather vegetables.

Safari At Gibb’s Farm

As you enter the main crater gate on a game-spotting trip to Ngorongoro Crater with your AfricanMecca guided vehicle, olive baboon and warthog are easy to spot. Later you may see one of the several prides of crater lions or an ancient tusker elephant with tusks sweeping the ground. Leopard, serval, cheetah and other predators, such as hyena and jackals stalk the many ungulates, dik diks, impala, gazelle, zebra and buffalo, many of whom are so used to visitors that they move only reluctantly from the road to let you pass.



At the central lake Magadi, migratory pink flamingo paddle elegantly, attended by Egyptian geese and many other waterfowl. On this special vacation in Tanzania, you may also drive out to the Hippo Pools at the Lake Manyara National Park, or take a guided walking safari with a Gibb’s Farm naturalist to magnificent waterfalls and elephant caves, search out the many exotically colored birds: weavers, pygmy kingfishers, superb starlings, and bee-eaters; or listen for the distinctive metallic “Tonk, tonk” of the moustached tinker bird.



Bicycle tours are also fun, whether relaxed jaunts around local villages or grueling day-long mountain bike adventures to the stunning vistas of Rhotia Valley. Travel in Africa does not get more rewarding than taking a village walk for a cultural experience or 6-7 hours wilderness trek to the crater rim passing through forest and highland areas of Ngorongoro. For a less strenuous walk, you can opt for a two hour walk to elephant caves passing through a beautiful waterfall on the way.

Dining At Gibb’s Farm

Savor a cup of Tanzanian tea or traditionally roasted, home-grown coffee as you listen to the dawn chorus before a sustaining breakfast of newly-baked bread, farm-fresh milk, cream, eggs, cheese and locally grown fruit. If you choose to take a Ngorongoro Crater tour, you will have to be up and away before dawn to enjoy your game drive in a closed 4 x 4 vehicle with lifting roof for all-round viewing.

Due to the knowledge and skill of your AfricanMecca safari guide, you will be able to see an amazing variety of wildlife in your allotted 6-hour slot, which is limited to protect the fragile nature of the biosphere. Your guide at his discretion is in radio contact with other guided vehicles to share tracking intelligence to ensure that trail to the unique wildlife sights you dreamed of when you planned your tour to Tanzania.



A delicious packed lunch is provided at the crater floor to get you re-energized before your afternoon return back to the accommodation. At mid-day, a farm-house style buffet is set with a selection of bread, soup, quiches, meats, vegetables and delectable desserts. All the food is macrobiotic, lovingly prepared on site. Special diet challenges, gluten free, vegetarian or low-glycemic diets are met with enthusiasm and panache.

High tea is served in the garden with rich cream, scones and tea or coffee. Sundowner cocktails may be taken in the garden or lounge. A fine range of wines and spirits is always available. An evening Tembo fire is the place to watch a spectacular sunset, then sit and yarn with Maasai and Iraqw staff about their culture, their folklore, and the animals who share their homelands. Dine by romantic candle-light in the historic red-floored farmhouse dining room or by lantern glow on a deck overlooking the forest edge.

Related Pages

1. Ngorongoro Crater Safari Park Guide	2. Best Time & Weather To Visit Ngorongoro Crater
3. Ngorongoro Crater Map	4. Safari Lodges, Camps & Hotels In Ngorongoro Crater