The Plantation Lodge
near Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
An immaculate privately-owned lodge set in lush, subtropical gardens within easy reach of Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater
This is a great place to break a journey between Arusha and the
Serengeti, and you'll remember your arrival at Plantation Lodge. A
bumpy dirt track cuts in from the dusty main road by way of a vast
coffee plantation, past tin-roofed shacks and waving children, to
end at a sweep of lawn so green and so perfect, it could be lifted
from deepest Oxfordshire. Beyond this emerald carpet, exuberant
stands of agave, acacia, mango and bamboo, towering silver oaks,
jacarandas and ficus trees teeming with multi-coloured birdlife,
remind you that, yes, you're still in Africa - and a delectable
corner of it to boot.
The guest suites and cottages fan out around the original
coffee lodge, which feels straight from the pages of Karen Blixen:
polished terracotta and screed floors, high garden-facing French
windows, Planter-style furniture, whirling overhead fans and masses
of African memorabilia like carvings, wall hangings and
watercolours of the bush. The mood is cool and measured, one of
respite and retreat: Plantation Lodge offers a perfect foil to the
exertion and exhilaration of a Tanzanian safari.
Reviewed by Guy Hunter Watts
Last updated 29 February 2012
Highs
- Just a 30-minute drive to Lake Manyara and 20 minutes to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, one of Africa's most stunning wildlife parks
- Rooms are big and airy with plenty of space between you and your nearest neighbours
- Beauty is in the detail: the exacting standards of German owner/manager Renata mean that every corner of the lodge has a cared-for and polished feel
- The lodge can sleep up to 40 yet still has a really intimate, personal vibe and you can choose between several different dining areas
- Family friendly and there's a group house with children's facilities
Lows
- We found the staff a tad too deferential in what is, after all, post-colonial Tanzania
- Larger groups sometimes book several suites and cottages, but you can always find a quiet spot if you prefer your own company
- Needs to be booked well in advance
