Luxury Safari 8-Day Luxury Fly-In Safari: Manyara, Ngorongoro & Serengeti
Arusha · Lake Manyara National Park (2) · Karatu · Ngorongoro Crater · Central Serengeti (2)
Explore Destination · Tanzania
Karatu
Karatu Ngorongoro: Karatu is a farming town in the highlands between Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, about 140 km from Arusha.
- CountryTanzania
- Best timeKaratu is a year-round stop
- Trips4 sample trips
- Destinations nearbyMto wa Mbu, Ngorongoro Crater
Karatu Ngorongoro: what to know
Karatu is a farming town in the highlands between Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, about 140 km from Arusha. It sits at around 1,500 m among coffee and wheat fields, and the Lodoare entrance gate to Ngorongoro is roughly 15 km up the road. For most northern circuit safaris it is where you sleep before or after the crater.
What to know before you go
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Why stay in Karatu
Lodges here are mostly set on working coffee estates or in gardens on the slopes of the Ngorongoro highlands. They are warmer at night than the crater rim, generally cost less, and are close enough to reach the crater descent road early. Karatu also breaks the long drive between Arusha and the Serengeti into manageable halves.
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Things to do around Karatu
Several estates run coffee tours that follow the bean from bush to cup. The Iraqw people, who farm these highlands, welcome visitors to see traditional homesteads and brick-making. Guided walks lead through the forest to the Elephant Caves, where elephants dig into the hillside for minerals, and Karatu is the starting point for day trips to the Hadzabe and Datoga communities at Lake Eyasi.
When to visit Karatu
Karatu is a year-round stop. June to October is dry and cool. The coffee harvest runs roughly from July to December, which is the most interesting time for an estate tour. March to May is the wettest period.
Where It Is
Karatu and the other places we travel to nearby.
Karatu
Trips that include Karatu
Sample itineraries. Every trip is private, so we change the days, lodges and pace to suit you.
Luxury Safari 
Great Migration 11-Day Relaxed Tanzania Safari
Arusha (3) · Tarangire National Park (2) · Karatu · Ngorongoro Crater · Central Serengeti (3) · +1 more
Luxury Safari 9-Day Luxury Tanzania Safari: Tarangire, Ngorongoro & Serengeti
Arusha · Tarangire National Park (2) · Karatu · Ngorongoro Crater · Central Serengeti (3)
Wildlife Safari Best Value 8-Day Northern Circuit Big Five Safari
Arusha · Tarangire National Park · Lake Manyara National Park · Central Serengeti (2) · Ngorongoro Crater (2)
Plan Your Safari to Karatu
Our team in Arusha answers in English, French, German and Spanish.
Questions about Karatu
How far is Karatu from Ngorongoro Crater?
The Lodoare gate is about 15 km from town, around 20 minutes by road. From the gate it is a further 30 to 45 minutes to the crater descent road.
Is Karatu worth staying in?
Yes, if you want a comfortable base at a lower price than the crater rim, or an extra afternoon for a coffee tour or village walk between park days.
What is there to do in Karatu?
Coffee estate tours, Iraqw cultural visits, forest walks to the Elephant Caves and waterfall, cycling through the farms, and day trips to Lake Eyasi.
Shall we plan your trip?
Tell us your dates and what you would like to see. A specialist in Arusha sends a route and a clear proposal within 24 hours.
Plan this trip
