Rating: Modest
Bougainvillea Safari Lodge is locally owned and run and the staff come from the surrounding villages and nearby town. There are around 24 rooms in the gardens (with plans to build more), which can be made up in any configurations to suit couples, families or friends. Each room has a fireplace, for those cold winter nights, a large bathroom with shower, and a veranda looking out over the gardens. Two of the cottages can be used as family suites, with connecting rooms.
There is a lounge, bar and restaurant. Chef Reggie Bayo and his team create simple but hearty menus and use local fruit, vegetables, dairy products and eggs. The lodge also has a gift shop and a small internet cafe. The outdoor swimming pool is in the gardens.
Guests wanting to sample local culture can easily walk into town from the lodge to experience a bustling African community. There are plenty of shops and a local market to explore. If you fancy a stroll into the countryside that's another possibility. One of the staff can escort you to a neighbouring coffee plantation or you can hike in the Ngorongoro Conservation area for a more strenuous outing. There are massage facilities available on request.
Open: Bougainvillea Safari Lodge is open all year.
Location: Bougainvillea Safari Lodge is on the outskirts of Karatu town, about halfway between Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater.
Rooms: There are 24 spacious twin cottages with en-suite bathrooms, a fireplace and a veranda looking out onto the garden. Beds have mosquito nets and an extra bed can be added to make a triple room if needed. Two cottages have connecting rooms so are ideal for families. There are plans to build more cottages.
Activities: Wildlife viewing day trips in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and in Lake Manyara National Park can be arranged while staying at Bougainvillea Safari Lodge. Bird watching is good here. Guests can go for walks in the countryside and take a guided tour of coffee plantation. Karatu town is within walking distance where there are shops and markets to explore and there are local villages that can be visited with a guide. Hikes in the Ngorongoro highlands can be arranged.
Facilities: The communal areas include a lounge, bar, dining rooms and a gift shop. Meals use locally sourced products. Breakfast can be continental or a full cooked meal, lunch is a buffet or picnic if guests are out all day, and dinner is a 5 course meal. There are attractive gardens and an outdoor swimming pool. The lodge offers massages. There is a laundry service, to be paid for locally.
Dining: Meals are taken at separate tables indoors outdoors as preferred.
Children: Children of all ages are welcome. Cots are available.
Health: This is a malarial area.
Communication: There is internet access in the cafe.
An exciting African safari & beach holiday for the whole family. Wildlife of north Tanzania then 5 days on Zanzibar.
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0"Equidistant from the Ngorongoro and Manyara Conservation Areas this is a quality location with a touch of luxury for those who want to sample African but would prefer some home comforts. Lovely individual lodges in beautiful gardens, complete with swimming pool and grassed surrounds."