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Plantation Lodge

About Plantation Lodge

Privately owned Plantation Lodge, opened in 1998, lies between Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Lake Manyara ...

... National Park, a short distance from the bustling Tanzanian market town of Karatu. Set in three hectares (seven acres) of beautifully maintained gardens, it is staffed entirely by local residents. The lodge is mainly used by visitors travelling with their own guide and vehicle, as a base for visits to the Ngorongoro Crater and sometimes to Lake Manyara National Park.

We have always been impressed by the attention to detail and personal care at Plantation Lodge. It is comparatively affordable compared to many of the lodges on the rim of the crater and we feel it offers excellent value for money. Conveniently located, it makes a lovely, tranquil base from which to explore both the Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara areas.

Accommodation
23 rooms
Children
Best for 12+
Open
All year

Activities

4WD Safari

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Birdwatching

Cultural excursion

Cultural excursion

Guided walking safari

Guided walking safari

Mountain biking

Mountain biking

Private activities

Private activities

Plantation Lodge: Full Report

Safaris visiting Plantation Lodge

Just ideas, we'll always tailor-make a trip for you


Map

Firefinch Drive-Fly Safari

9 days • 3 locations • 1 country
KILIMANJARO AIRPORT TO KILIMANJARO AIRPORT

Enjoy a combination of privately guided and shared game drives during this good-value exploration of northern Tanzania. Explore game-dense regions from three comfortable bases which offer a variety of activities.

Visiting Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater and 1 other area

US$7,720 - US$14,200 per person

Read more about the Firefinch Drive-Fly Safari

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Traveller reviews of Plantation Lodge

45 real, un-edited reviews from Expert Africa's travellers.


94%
45 reviews since August 2007
Excellent
34
Good
9
Average
1
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Gina DaifromNYC

Arrived 8 Oct 2023, 2 nights

"Plantation Lodge review"

"The property was beautiful and we had the best time with the staff. …" Read Gina Dai’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mrs & Mr CfromVic Aust.

Arrived 10 Jun 2023, 3 nights

"Plantation Lodge review"

"Everything about Plantation Lodge was exceptional …" Read Mrs & Mr C’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

FRfromAustralia

Arrived 6 Jun 2023, 1 nights

"Plantation Lodge review"

"I absolutely loved Plantation Lodge …" Read FR’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

See all Plantation Lodge reviews

Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Plantation Lodge

Click an animal to see our traveller's success in sighting them.
How we work this out.


Elephant

75% success

Buffalo

63% success

Lion

63% success

Wildebeest

63% success

Zebra

63% success

Hippo

50% success

Eland

38% success

Black Rhino

29% success

Spotted Hyena

29% success

Leopard

14% success

Wild dog

14% success

Aardvark

0% success

Pangolin

0% success

Striped Hyena

0% success

Plantation Lodge's location

Look closer at the environment and surroundings of Plantation Lodge.


When to go to Ngorongoro Crater

Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit Plantation Lodge in Ngorongoro Crater


Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Tanzania in January

January usually marks the start of the short dry season, although the exact timings of this are a little unpredictable. You can expect clear blue skies and sunshine, if the short rains have stopped, and the temperatures will be building. The short dry season is a little less pronounced in Southern Tanzania, and so it can still be wet in these areas. It is an interesting time for avians as resident birds go into breeding plumage and migrant species can be present.

Once the New Year busy period has quietened down, January can offer great value and quieter parks, although the weather can be variable, and in the Selous and Ruaha the wildlife is more dispersed.

  • Variable weather: clear & dry or cloudy with some rain.
  • Occasional thunderstorms may occur.
  • A good time of year for birding as and many migrant species are around
  • The wildebeest migration is gathering in the southern Serengeti.
  • Busy in early January, quietening down through the month.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in January

Tanzania fact file

Useful information and advice to help you prepare for a trip including Plantation Lodge


Excursions from Plantation Lodge

Optional extra day-trips and excursions possible whilst you're staying at Plantation Lodge. Talk to us: these are usually best arranged before you go.


Crater Rim Walk

Crater Rim Walk

Half day - two hour walk

For some fantastic views, and the chance to see flora and fauna up close, take a walk along the rim of the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater. Led by an experienced safari guide and accompanied by an armed ranger, you will be able to take in the scale and beauty of the landscape from a different perspective.

More about Crater Rim Walk
100% (3 reviews)
Empakaai Crater Hike

Empakaai Crater Hike

Half day, two - three hour walk

Spend a half day hiking through the Empakaai Crater, in the Highlands area of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA), led by an experienced guide and accompanied by a ranger.

More about Empakaai Crater Hike
100% (2 reviews)
Lake Manyara Safari

Lake Manyara Safari

Half-day or full-day

Set against the spectacular backdrop of the Rift Valley escarpment, Lake Manyara National Park makes a great safari destination. Here, along with elephant herds and plains game, you’ll find jungle-like forests that are home to blue monkeys, a soda lake tinged pink by flamingos and some of Tanzania’s best birding.

More about Lake Manyara Safari
85% (48 reviews)

Other lodges in Ngorongoro Crater

Alternative places to stay in this same area.


Gibb's Farm

Gibbs Farm

Located not far from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Gibb's Farm has comfy rooms, homegrown food and strong community links


88% (43 reviews)
Lemala Ngorongoro

Lemala Ngorongoro

Lemala Ngorongoro is a small, comfortable tented camp on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater with lovely walking in the vicinity.


87% (39 reviews)
Entamanu Ngorongoro

Entamanu Ngorongoro

Opened in 2016, Entamanu Ngorongoro is a small camp high on the Crater rim with views towards the crater and the plains of the Serengeti.


97% (29 reviews)
Ngorongoro Crater Lodge

Crater Lodge

The ultra-luxurious Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is perched in a spectacular location on the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater.


93% (27 reviews)

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