This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn more

Skip to main content

Talk to an expert 1-800-242-2434 Lines open now

User menu
Country Lodge

Country Lodge: Our full report

Country Lodge is a peaceful haven set in five acres of pretty gardens surrounded by trees.

It offers good value for money and is a convenient spot from which to explore Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara.

Bougainvillea safari lodge, and similar in style, the newer Country Lodge (built in 2011) is actually slightly better value for money.

Its 24 bungalows are laid out in a square around manicured lawns, featuring sculpted hedges, well-tended flowerbeds and a large swimming pool in the centre.

The décor of the square-shaped rooms is simple yet bright: four-poster beds (either twin- or king-sized) are draped with white linens and mosquito nets; there's a large cupboard for storing clothes and a mirror; and a desk and two wicker chairs congregate around a tangerine-coloured corner fireplace. This is lit on the cold winter nights, while the stonewalls and painted concrete floors help to keep the rooms cool on hot days. Outdoor wicker chairs on the veranda allows you to relax during the day. The spacious en-suite bathrooms are constructed mainly from stone and have a large walk-in shower, a sink and a flush toilet.

Country Lodge's bright-and-cheery, open-plan main area consists of a reception area with zebra-print chairs, a lounge with wicker chairs adorned with Maasai-print cushions, a bar – which on our last visit was playing upbeat African tunes – and a compact dining room. The lodge has its own kitchen garden from where many of the fresh ingredients are taken, and there's also a curio shop and a simple massage room.

Country Lodge perhaps has slightly less family orientated facilities than its sister lodge, Bougainvillea safari lodge, but it is still well suited for families.

The lodge makes an effort to support the local community: any food not grown on site is sourced locally and staff are hired from the local area. The lodge also provides hospitality training for young locals and offers work experience to students.


Our view

Country Lodge is a bright and friendly lodge in a convenient location on the outskirts of Karatu. It offers good value for money and works well for families and those on a modest budget.

Richard Trillo

Richard Trillo

Tanzania expert

Geographics

Location
Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Ideal length of stay
We recommend a stay of two nights.
Directions
Bougainvillea Safari Lodge is 300m off the main road that runs through Karatu, which in turn is about a 3 hour drive from Arusha. Alternatively it is a 45 minute drive from Lake Manyara airstrip.
Accessible by
Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis
Full Board
Food quality
Breakfast and lunch is served buffet style at Country Lodge with hot and cold options, while dinner is a set meal served to your table.

The chef, Reggie, used to work at Gibb's Farm and now cooks for both Country Lodge and Bougainvillea Safari Lodge next door. Reggie and his staff will happily cater for vegetarians and children on request, as well as prepare a picnic breakfast and/or lunch if you are planning on leaving early for a full day's game drive. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to sample the food, but we have faith in Reggie’s good cooking.
Dining style
Individual Tables
Dining locations
Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Further dining info, including room service
Room service is available.
Drinks included
No drinks are included but costs are very moderate. A beer costs $3, a bottle of water $2 and soft drinks cost $2.

Children

Attitude towards children
Children are welcome at Country Lodge.
Property’s age restrictions
There are no age restrictions.
Special activities & services
Children are welcome to join in with a walk around the coffee plantation or a trip into Karatu.
Equipment
None
Generally recommended for children
Country Lodge welcomes families and has plenty of garden space for children to play in, although it doesn’t have quite as many facilities as Bougainvillea Lodge next door.
Notes
Children must be supervised by their parents at all times.

Communications

Power supply notes
There is 24 hour electricity at Bougainvillea and there are plugs in the rooms for guests to use to charge their electronic devices.
Communications
WiFi is available in the main areas and is free for guests. There’s also cellphone reception.
TV & radio
There is no TV.
Water supply
Borehole
Water supply notes
One bottle of drinking water is provided per person per day.

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended
Yes
Medical care
The lodge has a first-aid kit on site, and there is an American doctor based on the other side of the road.
Dangerous animals
Low Risk
Security measures
High walls surround the lodge and the entry gate is guarded 24 hours a day.
Fire safety
There are fire extinguishers dotted around the lodge.

Activities

  • 4WD Safari

    4WD Safari

  • Birdwatching

    Birdwatching

  • Cultural excursion

    Cultural excursion

  • Guided walking safari

    Guided walking safari

  • Mountain biking

    Mountain biking

Extras

Disabled access
On Request
Laundry facilities
A full laundry service is available at extra cost.
Money
Country Lodge can exchange small amounts of currency and accepts US dollars, euros, British pounds, Tanzanian shillings and Kenyan shillings.
Accepted payment on location
In addition to the currencies listed above, they accept Visa, but this incurs a 5% surcharge.

Other lodges in Ngorongoro Crater

Alternative places to stay in this same area.


Plantation Lodge

Plantation Lodge

A relaxed base between Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara, Plantation Lodge has lush grounds and offers good value and high standards.


94% (45 reviews)
Gibb's Farm

Gibbs Farm

Located not far from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Gibb's Farm has comfy rooms, homegrown food and strong community links


88% (43 reviews)
Lemala Ngorongoro

Lemala Ngorongoro

Lemala Ngorongoro is a small, comfortable tented camp on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater with lovely walking in the vicinity.


86% (37 reviews)
Ngorongoro Crater Lodge

Crater Lodge

The ultra-luxurious Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is perched in a spectacular location on the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater.


93% (27 reviews)
The Highlands

The Highlands

The Highlands is a unique camp near Olmoti Crater, north of Ngorongoro, offering drives, walks and cultural visits from a beautiful remote setting.


91% (25 reviews)
Entamanu Ngorongoro

Entamanu Ngorongoro

Opened in 2016, Entamanu Ngorongoro is a small camp high on the Crater rim with views towards the crater and the plains of the Serengeti.


96% (23 reviews)
Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge

Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge

Situated on the eastern rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, with outstanding views, the Sopa Lodge is a somewhat dated, international-style hotel.


88% (23 reviews)
Rhino Lodge

Rhino Lodge

Rhino Lodge is a simple, good-value lodge with a great location near the crater rim, in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.


91% (22 reviews)
Ngorongoro Farmhouse Lodge

Farmhouse Lodge

Ngorongoro Farmhouse Lodge is set on a 750-acres working farm. Close to the NCA gate, it makes a great base for exploring the Crater.


88% (17 reviews)
Rhotia Valley Tented Lodge

Rhotia Valley Ttd. Lodge

Rhotia Valley is a simple lodge with a strong commitment to the local community, including a children's home, which guests may visit.


94% (14 reviews)
Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge

Ngorongoro Serena

The large, hotel-like Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge sits on the western rim of Ngorongoro Crater and has stunning views of the caldera.


91% (13 reviews)
Bougainvillea Safari Lodge

Bougainvillea Lodge

Bougainvillea Safari Lodge provides an economical base from which to visit Lake Manyara or the Ngorongoro Crater.


89% (7 reviews)
The Manor

The Manor

The Manor is a smart, family-friendly Cape-Dutch-style lodge, offering high-quality service and food in very comfortable surroundings.


100% (5 reviews)
Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge

Wildlife Lodge

Stay at the Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge while on road safari in Northern Tanzania's spectacular Ngorongoro Crater area.


67% (3 reviews)
Neptune Ngorongoro Lodge

Neptune Ngorongoro

Neptune Ngorongoro Luxury Lodge is a smart hilltop lodge with log-style cottages set close to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.


93% (3 reviews)
Kirurumu Ngorongoro Lodge

Kirurumu Ngorongoro

Kirurumu Ngorongoro is a tented camp situated near the Ngorongoro Crater, with seven guest tents.


60% (1 review)
Ngorongoro Fly-Camp

Ngorongoro Fly-Camp

Explore the remote northern rim of the Ngorongoro Crater on a two-day hike and spend the night in this small fly-camp.


No reviews yet

Login to Expert Africa

Sign in with password

Sign in with email link


New to Expert Africa? Create an account

Forgotten your details?

It's free & quick to set up

  • Save your wish-list
  • Send us an enquiry
  • Pay online for your trip
  • Subscribe to our newsletter
  • Give us feedback on your trip
  • Full site benefits of the site

Need some help? Talk to our team

Africa