Surrounded by lush tropical flowers and trees Gibb's Farm overlooks part of the coffee plantation that nestles into the northern Tanzanian hillsides near the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The forests of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area are immediately behind and above the farm, providing excellent walks. There are spectacular views from the terraced gardens of the old farmhouse towards the Great Rift Valley Escarpment. The farm is near the village of Karatu - midway between Lake Manyara National Park and Ngorongoro Crater.

Gibb's Farm is a homely and warm colonial homestead that was once the heart of the surrounding coffee plantations. Coffee is still grown, processed and roasted on the farm, but the major agro activity of the farm is a ten-acre fruit and organic vegetable garden which provides nearly all the fruit and vegetables served, to the great satisfaction of the guests, who wake up to fresh coffee, a multitude of flowers and breathtaking views.

The 20 twin rooms with ensuite bathrooms are set amongst the gardens while the main facilities are situated in the old farmhouse, there is a sitting room, dining room and terraced gardens for guests to relax in. Gibb's Farm is an idyllic farmhouse with good home cooked meals, which provides an unusual stop on any safari.

Meals at Gibb's Farm

Start your day with a cup of fresh roasted Gibb's Farm coffee then proceed to the fresh fruit buffet where you will find a large assortment of tropical fruits, and home made granola. Our waiters will then take your order for eggs, omelets, pancakes, bacon or sausage, as you like them.

Lunch is buffet style that includes a wide selection of savory pies, vegetable dishes, hot dishes, and salads, as well as a few traditional African dishes, followed by a desert buffet that includes items such as chocolate mousse, and Reggie's famous rice pudding.

Dinner begins at 7:30 every night and is a four-course meal served to your table. Always included is home made bread and rolls, an interesting starter such as banana rice, followed by a main course of meat, three different farm fresh vegetables, and green salad. Don't forget to save room for desert with tea and Gibb's Farm coffee.

Activities

Waterfall Walk - The Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority kindly permits our lodge guests to walk to a nearby waterfall and caves made by elephants. This walk takes about 2.5 hours and winds its way in and out of the forest highlands with breathtaking vistas; you will often see wildlife and always a multitude of birds.

Garden Tours - Don't miss a tour of the flower garden or 10 acre vegetable garden. This leisurely interpretative tour takes about 40 minutes.

Birding - there are over 170 species of birds at Gibb's Farm, if you are an avid birder we will schedule a personal bird walk with one of our naturalists or you can simply spend the day on your own checking off your list.

Coffee Roasting - Check out the coffee roasting operation, it takes place daily on the patio. Wow what an aroma !!!

Coffee Fields - Feel free to take a stroll on your own through the coffee bushes at the farm any time, it is perfectly safe, and a very relaxing way to spend an hour or more.

Jogging / Running - For the fitness fanatics that feel they have to get in a run or Jog to shake out the Landover legs! During the cool of the evening the manager will gladly guide you on one of his favorite routes through the village. That's if you are willing to run at 5,700 ft. elevation.

Farmyard - We appreciate you may not have come to Tanzania to see cows and pigs, however if you are interested in seeing a working Tanzanian Farmyard or trying your hand at milking a cow the receptionist is happy to organize this for you or your children.

Cultural Interests

lraqw Cultural Visit - The Iraqw are the local tribe that has inhabited the immediate Ngorongoro highlands around Gibb's Farm for over 200 years. Walk or drive the 4 kilometers to a traditional Iraqw home, the home is built entirely using traditional materials and methods of construction, just as it would have been 200 years ago. You will see many of the traditional tools, and weapons used by the Iraqw. Try your hand at grinding maize the traditional way using grinding stones and listen to a presentation and demonstration of traditional Iraqw skirt making. While here you will also have the opportunity to visit a present day Tanzanian farm and observe a bio gas plant used for producing gas for cooking and lighting.

Tloma Primary School - A visit to the local primary school is easily arranged in advance, to give visitors a glimpse of our rural -school system.

Gibb's Farm is Eco-Friendly

90% of all of the vegetables and many of the fruits served at Gibb's are grown in their own organic vegetable garden. The farmyard produces all of the pork and milk served at Gibb's and supplies all the organic compost needed. Wine bottles are broken up and used in our foundations and plastic bottles are decomposed by the sun, prior to disposal. All of our guest rooms are built using local materials and labour, thus supporting the local economy. Gibb's Farm is very active in supporting the local schools, supplemented by donations from guests, and contributes to the management and planning of school improvement projects, such as the new classroom currently under construction.

Price Indication per person GB£ / US$:

£80 - £100 / $120 - $150 for full board sharing a room

Email for current prices and availability

Airfare (from the UK)
As a guide, the international airfare should be about £450 - £550 (high season) economy class.