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Gibb’s Farm

Karatu, Tanzania

Home > Accommodation > Tanzania > Gibb’s Farm

Gibb’s Farm

PROPERTY FACILITIES

Pool

Spa

Wi-Fi

AVAILABLE SERVICES

Airstrip Transfer

COMFORT LEVEL/PRICE RANGE

Luxury

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Is the Gibb's Farm for Me?

Immerse yourself in the peace and serenity of Gibb’s Farm. Overlooking the centuries-old Great Rift Valley and Ngorongoro Forest, Gibb’s Farm was one of the first guesthouses in Northern Tanzania.

Established as a coffee farm in the late 1920s and refurbished as a warm, rustic luxury inn, Gibb’s Farm is a welcome retreat for a few days’ respite while on safari or for an extended vacation or honeymoon getaway. The main farmhouse and 17 cottages offer the warmth and charm of another era, with all of the modern amenities you could ask for.

Inside, beautiful architectural details, such as the farmhouse’s original wooden beams, and colourful artwork reflecting the inspirations of local African artists greet you. Outside, the farm’s organic vegetable and terraced flower gardens provide a wonderful sanctuary for afternoon tea or a quiet walk to impart a sense of contentment and well-being.

Gibb’s Farm Photo Gallery

Gibb’s Farm Rooms

The Gibb's Farm has 21 rooms. Select a room for more details.

Gibb's Farm Cottages

Each farm cottage holds its own story connected to Tanzanian culture and offers either twin queen or a king-size bed swathed in a soft mosquito net.

Spacious interiors richly appointed with eucalyptus floors and hand-crafted furniture have recently been refurbished with modern touches to accentuate their classic charm.

Perfect for smaller families, the cottages can comfortably accommodate a family of four in two queen beds (extra bed available for a third child).

The large bathroom of each cottage offers indoor and outdoor showers, a fireplace in both the living area and bathroom, bathtub and a private veranda complete the sense of tranquil privacy.

From the wooden deck, soak up the peaceful surroundings with a view over the gardens, plantation or Great Rift Valley.

The Swahili word “Karibu,” is often spoken expressing the genuine, innate pleasure we take in welcoming you as our guest.

This is the open-heart of our hospitality.

• 17 guest cottages — each featuring a unique theme, authentic artwork and richly
appointed with eucalyptus floors and hand-crafted furniture
• Each cottage has lovely views of the coffee plantation or the expansive vegetable gardens

IN ROOM FACILITIES:

• Wi-Fi access available in all rooms
• Writing desk area and a lounge with a wood burning fireplace
• Outside deck overlooking the gardens
• En-suite bathroom with fireplace, indoor and outdoor showers, bathtub and a separate toilet
• Hairdryer
• In-room safe

Bustani House

Nestled in the forest on the slopes of the Ngorongoro Crater overlooking the spectacular Rift Valley, Bustani House has been named for the Swahili word meaning garden.

While retaining the farm cottage feel, Bustani has been inspired by nature, the remarkable view and the landscaped gardens directly below.

The garden is an ideal spot for book lovers and writers alike, or just to relax and enjoy a break from safari.

The gardens of Bustani afford guests the opportunity to enjoy the tranquil beauty of nature against a backdrop of singing birds.

Experience paradise which has been created and preserved for you by the passionate Gibb’s Farm garden team, as well as our talented carpenters who have produced some of the furniture, a labour of love.

Inside, the beautiful architectural details such as the original wooden beams and colourful artwork of local artists greet you.

Charming with modern accents and dark wood finishes, the spacious two-bedroom cottage offers a master en-suite bedroom with a king-size bed and a second en-suite bedroom with two queen-size beds.

Each bathroom offers an indoor shower and bath as well as an outdoor shower.

The cosy living room is complete with a fireplace and the inner sanctum extends outwards to an expansive private veranda, an idlyllic setting for afternoon tea or a moment of peace.

Guests can enjoy Wi-Fi access in the rooms, a writing desk area, hairdryer, and in-room safe.

Deutsches House

Named in honour of the German Duke who founded Gibb’s Farm in the early 1900s, Deutsches House is a comfortable family retreat.

Unwind amidst the peace and tranquillity of the farm after a day of activities.

Richly appointed with eucalyptus floors and hand-crafted furniture, history imbues the finishes and carefully selected artworks which adorn the walls creating an atmosphere of classic charm from a bygone era.

The house features an en-suite master bedroom with a king-size bed and a second en-suite bedroom with two queen-size beds.

Both bedrooms offer an indoor shower and bath as well as an outdoor shower (voted as one of the world’s best outdoor showers by Forbes).

Relax in the comfort of the spacious living room beside a roaring fireplace with an absorbing read and cup of freshly roasted coffee, or enjoy the chatter of birds from the large, private veranda.

Steeped in the history of the farm, Deutsches offers cosy accommodation for up to four adults or two adults and four children.

After a long day’s adventure on safari in Tanzania, recline on the veranda and let the verdant setting soothe your mind and quieten your soul.

Room facilities

Safe

Hairdryer

Fan

Activities offered by Gibb’s Farm

Activities on site

Walking Safaris

Bird Watching

Cycling

Activities off site

Cultural Tour

Gibb’s Farm Restaurants

Gibb's Farm Restaurant

Healthy, farm fresh cuisine and attentive, gracious hospitality defines the iconic nature of the dining experience at Gibb’s Farm.

Our organic farm-to-table cuisine stimulates the senses and provides sustenance to restore, replenish and energize.

Garden grown organic vegetables and locally raised meats, farm-fresh milk, cream and baked goods provide the healthy, nutritious ingredients for our sumptuous breakfast, lunch and dinner menus.

Start your day with organic Arabica coffee, grown and roasted right on the farm and a hearty farm breakfast.

Midday, a farmhouse buffet offers a delectable array of foods to re-energize you, and in the afternoon, enjoy high tea in the garden with a delicious assortment of coffees, teas, fresh cream and scones.

In the evening, candle-lit dinners feature English and Tanzanian-influenced cuisine and the opportunity to share the day’s experiences.

Day visitors are welcome to join us for a meal at the restaurant.

Gibb’s Farm Videos

More about Gibb’s Farm

Wellness

A variety of treatments, tailored to suit your needs, are offered within the privacy of your cottage.

Based on Maasai healing techniques, the naturally derived treatments draw from over 50 different indigenous plants and offer a complete sensory experience.

Enjoy swims in our 25m lap pool and a session of yoga with a view on the deck.

Artists-in-Residence

Through Gibb’s Farm’s artists-in-residence program, East African artists stay at the farm and create commissioned artwork.

Meet some of East Africa’s most talented artists, learn about their influences and inspiration and watch them create their artwork, which is available for purchase.

Farm Walks - Around the Farm

Gibb’s Farm offers many different walks, depending upon your interests and desired activity level.

Experience a real working farm as you explore our organic 10-acre fruit and vegetable gardens and 30-acre coffee fields.

One day Ngorongoro Crater or Lake Manyara Safari

Experience a one day wildlife safari, starting early in the morning in closed safari vehicles with pop-up roofs.

A magnificent experience is sure to be had! Lunch is served picnic style, surrounded by the natural wonders around you as well as the exceptional wildlife, roaming freely, with which you share these extraordinary paradises.

Walking Safaris - Village Walk

This leisurely two-hour walk around our neighboring village of Tloma provides a personal look at Tanzanian village life.

Bicycle Tours

Explore the back roads of the village by bicycle, or for the more adventurous, take a mountain bike day trip to Rhotia, an unforgettable way to experience rural Tanzania.

1.5 Hour Village Cycle Tour, 2.5 Hour Mountain Bike Adventure.

Safari - Ngorongoro Crater

Ngorongoro Crater boasts more than 30,000 animals, in and around the crater, including lion, hippo, hyena, wildebeest, zebra, African buffalo and more.

You will soon see why Ngorongoro Crater is considered to be among the world’s great wonders!

A delicious gourmet picnic on safari with farm fresh bread and produce tops the experience

A Cultural Journey

Outing to Tloma, a nearby village, where you have the opportunity to meet a local family and learn about Iraqw culture and traditional ways of life.

Discover the age-old process of making pots, try your hand at pounding grain and taste the local brew.

Donate a Desk

Visitors can donate a school desk, engraved with their own special message and personally deliver it to the school whilst staying at Gibb’s Farm.

The material is purchased locally and our carpenters expertly build the desks to specifications after which they carefully engrave the guest’s message by hand.

Guests are welcome to join our carpenters for an afternoon in the workshop and assist with the crafting of the desks.

Tloma Primary School Visit

Meet the students and teachers at Tloma Primary School and learn firsthand about the successes and challenges of education in rural Tanzania.

Walking Safaris - Waterfall/Elephant Caves Walk

On this two-hour hike through the forested slopes of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, you will discover a magnificent waterfall and incredible “elephant caves” created by elephants digging up the earth to ingest the vitamin-rich soil.

You may see buffalo, bushbuck, waterbuck and baboons, also attracted by the soil.

Farm Walks - Garden Walk

A 40-minute stroll through eight historic gardens with a horticulturist.

Farm Walks - Indigenous Medicinal Walk

Indigenous Maasai healers lead you through the Ngorongoro Forest, where over 20 medicinal plants commonly used in Tanzania to treat health problems are described.

Farm Walks - Ngorongoro Forest Walk

A Gibb’s Farm naturalist is your guide for this tranquil two-hour walk through the farm and into the Ngorongoro Forest.

Discover more than 200 species of birds, dozens of native plants and trees, and an incredibly diverse array of wildlife.

Lake Eyasi Day Safari

After an early Breakfast, experience a guided drive to Lake Eyasi to meet a local Hadzabe tribe.

Meet the family and learn about the culture and the traditional ways of living of the Hadzabe people.

Hunt together with the warriors and taste the local brew.

Bread Making

Join the team for the early morning bread making ritual.

What could be more fun than baking brea, and of course, sampling it hot from the oven?

Vegetable Harvesting

Join in the laughter and banter as the chefs go about their daily ritual of harvesting fresh organic produce from our vegetable garden, to be enjoyed at lunch or dinner time.

Coffee Roasting

Experience traditional coffee cultivation and roasting, just as it has been done for generations.

Enjoy the aroma and taste of a cup of wonderful organic, fresh-roasted Arabica coffee each day at the main lodge.

Tembo Fire Tales

The evening begins here for many guests, with a glorious sunset accompanied by a refreshing drink.

Complementing the relaxed mood, our naturalists and traditional healer share stories about primates, Iragw culture, elephants traditional medicine, Maasai legends and tales of tribal folklore.