Luxury Hotels Atlas / Places / Tanzania / Karatu / Gibb's Farm
Gibb's Farm
Karatu, Arusha Region, Tanzania · Independent · Core Luxury
It remains one of Northern Tanzania's oldest guesthouses and a fully operational farm today, owned since 2009 by Rick and Judi Thomson Expert Africa. Established in 1929 as a German coffee estate, the property was purchased by James and Margaret Gibb after World War II, who opened it as a guest house in the 1950s ATR Safari. The lodge maintains deep ties with the local community through various sustainability and social initiatives Africa Dream Safaris Gibb's Farm.
- 19 rooms
- Opened 1929
- Neighborhood: Tloma, Qurus
History
Established in 1929 as a German coffee estate, the property was purchased by James and Margaret Gibb after World War II, who opened it as a guest house in the 1950s ATR Safari. It remains one of Northern Tanzania's oldest guesthouses and a fully operational farm today, owned since 2009 by Rick and Judi Thomson Expert Africa. The lodge maintains deep ties with the local community through various sustainability and social initiatives Africa Dream Safaris Gibb's Farm.
The setting
43 km from Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Experiences
- Farm activities and village walks — Share in the lifestyle of local families with activities both on the farm and in the area, from long walks to milking the cows.
- Farm fresh dining — Organic cuisine prepared daily on the property from farm produce, with freshly roasted coffee grown on the farm.
- Safari to Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara and Lake Eyasi — An idyllic retreat for exploring the Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara national parks, as well as Lake Eyasi, on safari in Tanzania.
- Earn your keep in the farmyard — Guests can roll up their sleeves, put on rubber boots and join the team in the farmyard during their stay.
- Slow safari — Taking it slow while on safari in Tanzania.
Amenities
- On-site Arabica coffee plantation with roasting and processing tours Gibb's Farm
- Infinity swimming pool and gym overlooking the coffee fields Expert Africa
- Tulia Spa offering treatments based on indigenous Maasai healing traditions Audley Travel
- Guided Ngorongoro Forest walks to elephant caves and waterfalls Southern Destinations
- Artist-in-residence program featuring unique Tanzanian art and furnishings Gibb's Farm
Awards
- Travel + Leisure World's Best Hotels (2026)
Open Gibb's Farm in the atlas for live weekend rates, photos, and the full folio.
More hotels in Karatu
- Elewana The Manor at Ngorongoro — Elewana Collection · Core Luxury