Kankari Lodge Karatu Tanzania

Nestled on the outskirts of the vibrant village of Karatu, Kankari Lodge is a peaceful, character-filled retreat situated in the picturesque Ngorongoro Highlands. Thoughtfully designed with natural materials and warm details, the lodge blends seamlessly into its surroundings, creating an atmosphere of comfort, simplicity, and a deep connection to nature.

Serving as a perfect “home away from home,” Kankari Lodge is an ideal, unpretentious stopover for travelers seeking tranquility and natural beauty away from the busier safari hubs. With quiet gardens, sweeping views, and exceptional Tanzanian hospitality, it offers a warm balance between authentic tradition and comfortable lodging.

Location & Accessibility

Kankari Lodge boasts a highly strategic location directly on the main safari corridor of Tanzania’s famed Northern Circuit.

✓ Highland Climate: Set within the fertile, green highlands, the lodge offers a cooler, refreshing climate that provides a welcome contrast to the warmer savannah landscapes of the nearby parks
✓ Accessibility: Its central position makes it an ideal, practical stopover, allowing for smooth transitions between game drives, crater descents, and long safari days moving toward the Serengeti
✓ Central Safari Base: The lodge is located in Karatu, perfectly positioned as a mid-point between Lake Manyara National Park (about 30 minutes away) and the entrance gate to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (just a 20-minute drive)

By Road

✓ Route & Scenery: The drive is beautifully scenic, taking you through vibrant local villages like Mto wa Mbu before ascending the escarpment into the lush, coffee-growing highlands of Karatu
✓ Travel Time: For an overland journey, the drive from Arusha, the gateway city to the Northern Safari Circuit, takes approximately 2 to 2.5 hours on a well-maintained tarmac road (about 120 km to 150 km depending on your starting point)

By Air

✓ Lodge Transfer: From the Lake Manyara Airstrip, it is only a quick 30-minute vehicle transfer up into the highlands to reach Kankari Lodge
✓ Flight Details: Daily scheduled domestic flights operate from Arusha Airport (ARK) or Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to the nearby Lake Manyara Airstrip. A flight from Arusha takes approximately 45 minutes

Accommodation

This intimate lodge offers a cozy retreat with 12 well-appointed units, all carefully crafted to harmonize with the natural environment.

Room Features & Options

✓ Standard Rooms: 8 charming standard rooms housed within 4 double cottages. Each features comfortable twin or queen beds, a writing desk, a dressing area, and a private veranda for unwinding
✓ Luxury Tents: 4 spacious safari-style tents that offer an elevated wilderness feel. These feature all standard amenities plus a separate sitting area, complete with a comfortable settee and coffee table
✓ Room Amenities: All accommodations feature en-suite bathrooms with hot showers, natural local decor, and private outdoor seating. Every room and tent is equipped with its own fireplace to keep you warm during the cool highland evenings. (Triple rooms are also available upon request for families or friends

Dining & Culinary Experience

The central lodge building houses a cozy bar and dining room with captivating views of the swimming pool and lush grounds.

✓ Farm-to-Table Dining: All food is fresh and locally sourced from the surrounding Karatu farming area, ensuring delicious, authentic meals
✓ Outdoor Deck: A large, inviting outdoor deck adorned with two roaring fireplaces invites guests to enjoy relaxing outdoor dining under the stars
✓ Meal Plans: Bed and breakfast, lunch, and full-service dinner are available, with complimentary breakfasts to start your day. Safari lunchboxes can be freshly prepared upon request for your full-day game drives. Special diets are also happily catered to

Lodge Facilities

Kankari Lodge provides practical comfort and excellent value with a wide array of services:

✓ Cozy Lounge and Bar Area
✓ Complimentary Wi-Fi in the common areas
✓ 24-Hour Security and dedicated, friendly staff
✓ Swimming Pool overlooking the beautiful gardens
✓ Beautiful Landscaped Gardens (a paradise for local birding)
✓ Laundry Service and secure on-site parking for safari vehicles

Experiences & Activities

While serving as a perfect base for Northern Tanzania’s iconic wildlife parks, the immediate Karatu area offers a wealth of cultural and natural treasures

✓ Ngorongoro Forest Hikes: Explore the lush, nearby Ngorongoro Forest trails for an enriching hiking experience
✓ Cultural Village Tours: Spend a day exploring the vibrant local scene in Karatu town, wandering through bustling markets and observing traditional brickmaking kilns
✓ Coffee Farm Tours: Embark on fascinating tours of local highland coffee farms to discover the intricate process of cultivating and processing Tanzania’s beloved morning beverage
✓ Safari Excursions: Easily transition into daily game drives to Lake Manyara, the Ngorongoro Crater, or cultural walking safaris in the surrounding bushland | Click Here to view one of our Ngorongoro Safari Excursions

Highlights of Kankari Lodge

✓ Cool Highland Climate: A lush, green environment offering a refreshing break from the hot, dusty lowland parks
✓ Cozy Fireplaces: Unique in that every single room and tent features a private fireplace for the chilly highland nights
✓ Quiet Atmosphere: The ultimate relaxed, practical base for rest and recovery between intense multi-park safari itineraries
✓ Strategic Corridor Location: Perfectly positioned to break up the journey between Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater
✓ Authentic & Unpretentious: Comfortable, great-value lodging with a strong sense of place and genuine Tanzanian hospitality