Karatu Simba Lodge

You are likely to be arriving in your tour operator’s vehicle. The lodge is approximately a 2 hours 40 minutes drive from Arusha.

There is an alternative way of arriving, namely by taking an internal flight from Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport to the Lake Manyara Airstrip, which is only a 30-minute flight and a 40-minute drive from the airstrip to the lodge.

As you drive to our lodge, Tanzanian country life will unfold before you. You will pass by herdsmen – often young boys – herding their cattle, goats, or sheep. Fields of corn and barley, wheat and beans will whizz by. Your journey ends with views of the forest, gentle hills, and the prospect of the famous Ngorongoro Crater, away in the distance.

Accommodation and all three meals are included in your rate, with the option of a lunch box – ideal if you are out on safari. In the rooms, you will find complimentary water plus toiletries. In the afternoon, complimentary coffee and tea are provided (15.30 to 18.00 hours daily). Drinks, tips, and laundry are at an extra charge.

Unfortunately, the lodge is unsuitable for those with mobility issues and has no wheelchair access.

Children aged six or over are welcome here but must be kept under parental supervision. Any child under the age of thirteen must share a room with an adult (17 years old or above).

Guests can book cottages on a twin, double or triple basis.

A torch is provided, as is a whistle (for security purposes). Please bring a reading lamp/book light, as lighting with our solar power is not as bright as usual. This is useful for reading!

Please note that hairdryers cannot be used, as they will short-circuit the power for the whole lodge.

Internet access is available via Wi-fi in some common areas (but not the bedrooms). A lodge computer can be used on request. Please do not download large files, as the system is not as capable as you might experience at home.

The lodge is not far from the dense Ngorongoro Forest, a habitat for the elephant, buffalo, and many more species. Birdlife is abundant, with species such as weavers, sunbirds, and others.

Check-in is between 11.00 and 19.00 hours, and check-out is by 09.00 hours.

The cost of a stay will depend on the dates of your stay and the number of guests. Please get in touch with us for prices.

We try and keep our footprint as light as possible. For example, we bake at the lodge daily, use fresh produce from the farm, and source eggs and coffee locally, too. We understand and can cater to special dietary requirements.

Breakfast is served buffet-style, with hot drinks, cereals, juices, fresh fruit, muffins, or pancakes with eggs, sausage, and bacon cooked to your order. Porridge (oatmeal) is also available on request.

Most guests will take a lunchbox with them out on safari. You can choose to stay and have lunch at the lodge. This can be salads, quiche, pizza, or hot dishes such as casserole, curry, or spaghetti when it’s cooler.

Dinner may be buffet-style or served to the table, depending on the number of guests at the lodge.

Yes, please give us as much notice as you can.

Guests are always advised to drink bottled water at the lodge and use the water in the taps for showers and washing. Use bottled water for cleaning your teeth, too.

It is useful to arrive at the lodge with sufficient cash to pay for extra drinks and staff gratuities. Banknotes such as 5-dollar, 10-dollar, and 20-dollar bills are best. Poor network coverage may mean that the card machine is not always working. Most of the time, you can use US Dollars in Tanzania, particularly in tourist areas, and major credit cards are accepted at most hotels, lodges, and camps. However, we advise having some local currency on you if you want to purchase from a local shop. Major towns and airports have forex bureaus where you can exchange most major currencies such as US Dollars, British Pounds, Euros, etc.

Activities include (some at extra cost): a visit to Ngorongoro Crater, game drives in nearby Lake Manyara National Park, visit Lake Eyasi and its tribespeople. You can also visit the town of Karatu, home to the Iraqw people, where you could visit a traditional homestead, the local brick factory, or the market. Or do some birdwatching, or enjoy the swimming pool and campfire, both on-site.

A Sunday market takes place in Rhotia village, and on the 7th and 25th of each month, there is a much bigger one on the way to Ngorongoro. Nearby, Karatu town also has markets.

Coverage here is not great due to the remoteness of our location. In most cases, you should be able to get a signal. You may need to check with your service provider and sign up for mobile roaming before you leave home. Alternatively, you could buy a local SIM card on arrival in Tanzania (GMS phones only).