Farmhouse(s) or NCL
Nov 6th, 2006, 04:40 PM
#2
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I've stayed at the Ngorongoro Farmhouse several times. It's a great place, with huge rooms, beautiful grounds and a 500-acre farm to explore if you have time. They also have a pool which is nice in the hot months. I have a few photos of the place at:
http://sharontaylor.smugmug.com
These photos were from 2004, but it hasn't changed that much since then.
http://sharontaylor.smugmug.com
These photos were from 2004, but it hasn't changed that much since then.
Nov 6th, 2006, 10:24 PM
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Stayed at Gibb's Farm last July. Great place - the food was excellent. The grounds were very nice and peaceful. The rooms were also very nice, and had wood stoves for warmth at night.
Interestingly, they had high-speed internet access (for a fee), including wireless access. Also, their gift shop had the cheapest prices I've seen for the Tombazzi maps of Tanzania.
Interestingly, they had high-speed internet access (for a fee), including wireless access. Also, their gift shop had the cheapest prices I've seen for the Tombazzi maps of Tanzania.
Nov 7th, 2006, 05:49 AM
#7
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Chewey
I assume you know the area around the Crater but I will mention the following just in case:
1. It is never an easy decision. A map is here: http://www.go-safari.com/images/NCACrater.jpg
2. The decision should be made as part of the bigger picture - what does the rest of your itinerary look like? What are your interests at the Crater? Sometimes it makes a lot of sense to stay in Karatu.
3. Keep drive times/distances in mind: From arriving at the east gate it takes between 1h45min to 2h or more to get to the Crater floor! When it rains or when sitting behind a truck it is slow going. In the early morning it is not uncommon to find a broken truck blocking the NCA road!
4. Then you have to add the drive times to/from the lodges outside the NCA. Farm House adds 5 minutes, Gibbs add 30 minutes.
5. Once you understand the driving logistics and are OK with the drive distances on bad roads (instead of a rim property), you can decide on a lodge in Karatu.
6. In Karatu, what will be the selection criteria? Small? Intimate? Proximity to the gate? Setting? Interaction with locals? Price? Some Karatu properties are expanding with more and more rooms and getting expensive - one can just as well stay at the Serena on the rim.
In general, one can argue that most first time visitors prefer a lodge on the crater rim. When those are full one starts to look at Karatu properties.
Nowadays, I see plenty of tour companies place their clients in Karatu. I understand the reasoning; it is too much trouble (and expensive) to block rooms at the very popular Sopa, Serena, Crater Lodge, Wildlife lodge, Private tented Camps.
On the other hand, do their clients miss out by not staying on the rim? I have my opinions and beautiful sunrise/sunset pictures to make my case!
I assume you know the area around the Crater but I will mention the following just in case:
1. It is never an easy decision. A map is here: http://www.go-safari.com/images/NCACrater.jpg
2. The decision should be made as part of the bigger picture - what does the rest of your itinerary look like? What are your interests at the Crater? Sometimes it makes a lot of sense to stay in Karatu.
3. Keep drive times/distances in mind: From arriving at the east gate it takes between 1h45min to 2h or more to get to the Crater floor! When it rains or when sitting behind a truck it is slow going. In the early morning it is not uncommon to find a broken truck blocking the NCA road!
4. Then you have to add the drive times to/from the lodges outside the NCA. Farm House adds 5 minutes, Gibbs add 30 minutes.
5. Once you understand the driving logistics and are OK with the drive distances on bad roads (instead of a rim property), you can decide on a lodge in Karatu.
6. In Karatu, what will be the selection criteria? Small? Intimate? Proximity to the gate? Setting? Interaction with locals? Price? Some Karatu properties are expanding with more and more rooms and getting expensive - one can just as well stay at the Serena on the rim.
In general, one can argue that most first time visitors prefer a lodge on the crater rim. When those are full one starts to look at Karatu properties.
Nowadays, I see plenty of tour companies place their clients in Karatu. I understand the reasoning; it is too much trouble (and expensive) to block rooms at the very popular Sopa, Serena, Crater Lodge, Wildlife lodge, Private tented Camps.
On the other hand, do their clients miss out by not staying on the rim? I have my opinions and beautiful sunrise/sunset pictures to make my case!
Nov 7th, 2006, 06:08 AM
#8
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<b>Has anyone stayed at Gibbs Farmhouse or Ngorongoro Farmhouse? Opinions?</b>
We've stopped by Gibbs for lunch, haven't seen the Farmhouse ... Gibbs looked like a charming place to stay.
But I wouldn't stay in either place ... our main reason for going on safari is to photograph early each morning and, as Eben implies, at the Karatu lodges you are in a farming area, well away from the game drives.
If having a great game drive at Ngorongoro is your goal then find a way to stay on the rim and get to the descent gate as early as possible.
I realize not everyone is as keen on game drives as my wife and I, so if you just want a day to relax and see the farming side of Tz or if you are OK with arriving at the Crater floor mid-morning when the animals are less active and the jeep herds are at the height of their daily migration then staying in Karatu has its advantages. But it's not for me.
Bill
We've stopped by Gibbs for lunch, haven't seen the Farmhouse ... Gibbs looked like a charming place to stay.
But I wouldn't stay in either place ... our main reason for going on safari is to photograph early each morning and, as Eben implies, at the Karatu lodges you are in a farming area, well away from the game drives.
If having a great game drive at Ngorongoro is your goal then find a way to stay on the rim and get to the descent gate as early as possible.
I realize not everyone is as keen on game drives as my wife and I, so if you just want a day to relax and see the farming side of Tz or if you are OK with arriving at the Crater floor mid-morning when the animals are less active and the jeep herds are at the height of their daily migration then staying in Karatu has its advantages. But it's not for me.
Bill
Nov 10th, 2006, 08:02 PM
#9
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Summary:
use
Gibbs Farmhouse or Ngorongoro Farmhouse
1. After finishing Game drives in Ngorongoro & heading EAST (Arusha/ Tarangire/ Manyara / Kenya / Airport)
makes tommorrow's drive shorter / more time at next destination
2. rest/ break etc' (who needs that on Safari??)
3. when ther's no choice. all rim's lodges fully booked
Lodges on the RIM
1. easier (means usually earlier) acceess to floor game drives {Sopa has some advantage}
2. the VIEWS, esp sunsets & sunrises
use
Gibbs Farmhouse or Ngorongoro Farmhouse
1. After finishing Game drives in Ngorongoro & heading EAST (Arusha/ Tarangire/ Manyara / Kenya / Airport)
makes tommorrow's drive shorter / more time at next destination
2. rest/ break etc' (who needs that on Safari??)
3. when ther's no choice. all rim's lodges fully booked
Lodges on the RIM
1. easier (means usually earlier) acceess to floor game drives {Sopa has some advantage}
2. the VIEWS, esp sunsets & sunrises
Nov 10th, 2006, 08:42 PM
#10
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Okay. I think I will check with the Farmhouse to see how early we would be able to start the drive up to the crater.
Are there any Private Tent Camps that will take travellers for only 2 nights?
Thanks for your help.
Are there any Private Tent Camps that will take travellers for only 2 nights?
Thanks for your help.
Nov 11th, 2006, 08:18 PM
#11
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hi Cheweyhead
you can start driving at any time
BUT...
as Eben noted Farmhouse is ~5 minutes from the NCA gates... ...
You cannot enter the gate earlier than 06:30 AM (maybe 06:00 ???), meaning by the time u get down to the crater floor u missed the best hours
aby
you can start driving at any time
BUT...
as Eben noted Farmhouse is ~5 minutes from the NCA gates... ...
You cannot enter the gate earlier than 06:30 AM (maybe 06:00 ???), meaning by the time u get down to the crater floor u missed the best hours
aby
Nov 12th, 2006, 06:59 AM
#12
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I am catching on - 2 hours to get to the rim from Farmhouse. And, the park (also about 2 hours from the rim) does not open until 6 or 6:30. How do Sopa an Serena and Wildlife compare? I have heard wonderful things about NCL but extremely expensive and I'd rather spend the money going down to Mahale.
Nov 12th, 2006, 09:50 PM
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Are you asking how good Serena/Sopa/Wildlife are as accommodations or how close are they to the road for access? As noted, Sopa is closest to the road, though the Serena isn't that far.
As far as the lodges go, I've only stayed at the Serena. It's location is good with great views from all the rooms. The architecture is nice, and my parents thought it was quite beautiful. The rooms were nice and clean.
It is a large lodge, however, with lots of safari-goers. We'd been spending our time in small camps, so it was a big change for us to see so many people. I found the food rather mediocre and the service a bit impersonal and rushed. Again, such is to be expected in a larger hotel and my perceptions may have been biased after having come from Kirawira and EMC in the Serengeti where personal service was excellent. Oh, and I found the beds to be rather too firm for me, though I appreciated the hot water bottle at night.
For the Crater, I'd say pick the best lodge for access that has the minimum standards you'll take. You won't be in the lodge very long as you'll mostly be out on game drives.
As far as the lodges go, I've only stayed at the Serena. It's location is good with great views from all the rooms. The architecture is nice, and my parents thought it was quite beautiful. The rooms were nice and clean.
It is a large lodge, however, with lots of safari-goers. We'd been spending our time in small camps, so it was a big change for us to see so many people. I found the food rather mediocre and the service a bit impersonal and rushed. Again, such is to be expected in a larger hotel and my perceptions may have been biased after having come from Kirawira and EMC in the Serengeti where personal service was excellent. Oh, and I found the beds to be rather too firm for me, though I appreciated the hot water bottle at night.
For the Crater, I'd say pick the best lodge for access that has the minimum standards you'll take. You won't be in the lodge very long as you'll mostly be out on game drives.
Nov 13th, 2006, 06:32 AM
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Cheweyhead
you have a mistake about time:
quoting Eben from the post above: <i>
"3. Keep drive times/distances in mind: From arriving at the east gate it takes between 1h45min to 2h or more to get to the Crater floor! When it rains or when sitting behind a truck it is slow going. In the early morning it is not uncommon to find a broken truck blocking the NCA road!"
</i>
these 2(+) hours r critical though - before NGO "rush hour" which isn't fun...
aby
you have a mistake about time:
quoting Eben from the post above: <i>
"3. Keep drive times/distances in mind: From arriving at the east gate it takes between 1h45min to 2h or more to get to the Crater floor! When it rains or when sitting behind a truck it is slow going. In the early morning it is not uncommon to find a broken truck blocking the NCA road!"
</i>
these 2(+) hours r critical though - before NGO "rush hour" which isn't fun...
aby
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