Reviews of Gibbs Farm
Wildlife sightings and reviews
43 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Gibbs Farm and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
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"Gibb's Farm review"
We enjoyed a talk about the coffee plantation when we first arrived and thought maybe an extra day here would have been nice to take advantage of all the activities they had on offer." See all these reviews: 8n in Tanzania; 5n in Zanzibar; 1n in Kenya
"a green oasis, excellent stay"
food excellent, lots of choice and super quality
room accommodation excellent, nice fireplace and comfy beds
very relaxing environment" See all these reviews: 7n in Tanzania; 5n in Rwanda
"Gibb's Farm review"
The staff were especially friendly and efficient." See all these reviews: 8n in Tanzania; 5n in Rwanda
"Gibb's Farm review"
Our only suggestion for improvement would to reduce the humidity in the rooms (even the bed linen felt uncomfortably humid) either by installing de-humidifiers and/or by providing more firewood to last the night.
We also want to say a special thanks to Ami, our guide for the Manyara / Ngorongoro leg of the trip who was excellent, really friendly and welcoming, just the loveliest person, as well as totally reliable, very knowledgeable and always happy to answer our endless questions about his country." See all these reviews: 6n in Tanzania
"Very attractive setting"
We appreciated the chance to just dine on our own here after a couple of days dining 'en famille' on safari. The service was very good and the food excellent - all locally grown vegetables and lovely soups.
We didn't really mind the drive to the crater, although I suppose it would have been marginally better to have been closer to the rim to save time. Our guide Kevin, from Asilia, was excellent. He had brought us from Lake Manyara airstrip and then took us to the crater the next day. He had an excellent sense of humour and was very knowledgeable. We enjoyed the crater very much although I think I was expecting to be falling over the animals and it wasn't quite like that! However, we saw a serval very close (in the daytime), and some other things we hadn't seen before such as flamingos doing aerial acrobatics and ostrich mating displays.
It would have been good to stay here one more night so that perhaps we could have walked to the Crater rim or done other activities on the farm but sadly we didn't have time." See all these reviews: 7n in Tanzania; 5n in Zanzibar
"Gibbs Farm review"
Run more like a Hotel and with no complementary items other than tea/coffee and that was a do it yourself in the main lounge. It's setting, once there, was in beautiful gardens on a coffee plantation with good views of the surrounding countryside. The individual chalets, although large and well furnished and colonal in nature were starting to look rather tired.
This was an ideal place for visiting the Ngorongoro Crater, speaking to other travellers who stayed in Lodges on the Rim, we were infact glad that we had stayed at Gibbs Farm.
Onec again we had our own driver / guide so we did not go on their activites." See all these reviews: 10n in Tanzania
"disappointing given reputation"
Accommodation and setting were great. Service was patchy (lack of apparent leadership) Some individual staff were helpful.
Solar hot water didn't work resulting in cold showers. Internet access very poor. Food poorest durng our trip.
We understand there has been a change of ownership and marketing now to American tour groups. During our visit, several tour groups arrived for one day/night. Independent travellers such as ourselves were marginalised. Overall our stay was disappointing given the reputation of Gibb's Farm. With hindsight we think we would have preferred to stay at the Serena Crater lodge" See all these reviews: 9n in Tanzania; 5n in Zanzibar
There are four issues for this recent complain and I have put our actions/comments for future travellers.
1) Cold Water.
We have discovered the error in the hot water solar settings and corrected them. We apologize for this.
2) Our food quality not up to standard
We are spending more time in the kitchen to ensure our standards do not slip again.
3) Lack of apparent leadership
This comment starts with the check in, Pre-registration and bag system - we have discussed this.
Greeting in the dining rooms, and escorting to Jacaranda or Dining room, starting at the front of the lodge. We will improve this.
4) Independent Traveler needs special attention
It is sometimes true, that tour groups can spoil the atmosphere. This problem will be sorted out in the next few months as we will renovating the main house/main dining room and we will make sure we look after smaller groups just as well.
Once again very sorry about this and we will make sure that this sort of complaint will not happen again in the future.
"Gibb's Farm review"
I would have rather stayed around the crater rim as we didn't have time to do any of the activities at the Farm. However the rooms are stunning." See all these reviews: 6n in Tanzania
"Gibb's Farm review"
"Luxury rooms but let down by average service"
The rooms are very luxurious and comfortable but we experienced a number of small but irritaitng service shortfalls where, for example, we didn't receive the drinks we'd ordered and on a couple of occassions had to wait a long time to be served dinner. We did take a guided cycling trip to the local village and town and this was very interesting and well planned out with our guide ensuring that he understood what we wanted from the trip before we started.
Kevin our guide while we were in the North was excellent and was knowledgeable not just on wildlife but also on politics and international affaires - we learnt loads. He went out of his way to ensure we got all the service we wanted" See all these reviews: 11n in Tanzania; 6n in Zanzibar
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Other lodges in Ngorongoro Crater
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Plantation Lodge
A relaxed base between Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara, Plantation Lodge has lush grounds and offers good value and high standards.
Lemala Ngorongoro
Lemala Ngorongoro is a small, comfortable tented camp on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater with lovely walking in the vicinity.
Crater Lodge
The ultra-luxurious Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is perched in a spectacular location on the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater.
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.
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.
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.
Rhino Lodge
Rhino Lodge is a simple, good-value lodge with a great location near the crater rim, in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
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.
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.
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.
Bougainvillea Lodge
Bougainvillea Safari Lodge provides an economical base from which to visit Lake Manyara or the Ngorongoro Crater.
The Manor
The Manor is a smart, family-friendly Cape-Dutch-style lodge, offering high-quality service and food in very comfortable surroundings.
Wildlife Lodge
Stay at the Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge while on road safari in Northern Tanzania's spectacular Ngorongoro Crater area.
Neptune Ngorongoro
Neptune Ngorongoro Luxury Lodge is a smart hilltop lodge with log-style cottages set close to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Kirurumu Ngorongoro
Kirurumu Ngorongoro is a tented camp situated near the Ngorongoro Crater, with seven guest tents.
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.
Country Lodge
Country Lodge is conveniently located on the edge of Karatu and provides a comfortable base for exploring Ngorongoro Crater or Lake Manyara.
