Plantation Lodge in Ngorongoro region
We have a special place for Plantation Lodge because not only because this lodge is amazingly charming, has beautifully decorated rooms, lush grounds, delicious food and range of drinks, etc., it is also because we have known the owners, Renate and Udo since we were young and living in Tanzania.
That is me, Mefi, second from left with Renate, on the left and my two Houston clients on Tanzania with Mefi Safari.
The first impression you will get when you enter this lodge is how green the grounds are and how well kept they look especially if you have just come from a dusty Safari drive. They have a pool which you can attempt diving into if the weather is warm. Plantation Lodge is built on the Ngorongoro Highlands and the temperature here is cool during cooler months to pleasant during hot months.
Then you will head to the lounge area and feel like you are 'home'. Coffee, tea, drinks are serviced in the living room. If you look at all the picture frames in this room, they were made by The Craft Shop, my parent's shop in Arusha.
The Rooms:
Plantation Lodge has many different rooms. From the standard rooms, which has nothing 'standard' about them, the large family suites, or the many different suites. No two rooms are alike. Renate has paid great attention to detail in each room. The bathrooms will offer some modern convenience for you like a hair dryer. I know, I know, but ladies, it does offer a bit of a break from air drying as you will do on Safari from most of our tented camps.
Main Area:
Food is delicious and locally grown or sourced from the farms nearby. Karatu, which the town close by, is one of Tanzania's most fertile towns. Save rooms for desserts. Renate and her crew come up with some interesting creation to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Enjoy your drinks during your meal time in the cozy dining area after which you can head over to their well stocked bar area. Chill on the patio overlooking the beautiful hills of Karatu [a guest mentioned it looked like Tuscany to her] or chat with the bartenders and hear stories about Tanzania.
As many of our repeat guests and I can attest, Plantation Lodge is one place you will always remember and want to go back to on your many Tanzanian Safaris.