Where you’ll stay

Sunset Village Lodge is an eco-conscious boutique property set within the grounds of Highview Hotel in the highland hills of Karatu. We offer ten private, safari-style luxury bungalows, each with its own veranda.

Our facilities include a large outdoor swimming pool, a poolside bar and an elevated central restaurant with wide views over the Karatu landscape.

The reason for the name

The lodge is especially known for its sunsets, when the sky turns orange and pink over the rolling Karatu hills. Guests often gather at the poolside bar in the evening just to watch the view.

Our rooms use warm, natural materials to create a peaceful, welcoming feel, which suits you if you want to unwind between days on safari.

A base for several parks

The location makes the lodge a perfect base for exploring Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire National Park and Serengeti National Park, all within easy reach. Our Experiences add activities such as garden walks, village cultural tours, cycling excursions, coffee farm visits, local market tours and traditional dance performances.

We also offer family-friendly activities and bonfire evenings at the lodge.

Forest nearby

The lodge sits close to green, forested slopes that lead up toward the Ngorongoro highlands, home to birds, small forest animals and sometimes wild elephants passing through. Short walks near the lodge let you enjoy fresh air before heading to the plains.

If you want to compare options in Karatu, see our Highview Hotel, which shares the grounds.

Sunset Village Lodge questions

How many bungalows are there?

There are ten private safari-style bungalows, each with a veranda. The small number keeps the lodge calm, which suits you if you want a quiet base between game drives.

What facilities does the lodge have?

We have a large outdoor pool, a poolside bar and an elevated central restaurant. Ask us about meal times and whether you can book a table with a view of the sunset.

Which parks can I reach from here?

The lodge is a base for Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire and the Serengeti. Distances differ for each, so ask us for a drive-time estimate when you plan your itinerary.

Is it linked to Highview Hotel?

Yes. The lodge lies in the grounds of Highview Hotel in Karatu. This means you may be able to combine your stay with the hotel’s facilities, but please confirm access with us.

Who is the lodge best suited to?

The lodge suits you if you want a calm, small-scale stay between safari days. With ten bungalows, a pool and a poolside bar, it works well for couples, families and friends who prefer an unhurried evening. If you want more facilities such as a spa, ask us about using those at Highview Hotel. If you want to be right in the wild, a Serengeti camp may be a better fit, so compare the options on our website.

What does eco-conscious mean here?

We run Sunset Village Lodge as an eco-conscious boutique property. For details of practices at our properties, read our Public Sustainability Report, which describes measures such as solar water heating at Highview Hotel and local sourcing. Ask us what applies to Sunset Village Lodge specifically, so you can judge whether it matches your values.

A quiet corner of the Highview property

Highview Coffee Lodge is a quiet, secluded part of our Highview Hotel property in Karatu, about 100 metres from the main hotel. It consists of cosy double cottages, each with two rooms, a large bathroom and a private veranda, where you can relax with a book looking over the valley and the coffee plantation below.

That distance is small, but it changes the feeling. You sleep among the coffee plants and still walk to the main facilities.

Shared facilities and private dining

Because the lodge shares its grounds with Highview Hotel, you can use our swimming pool, spa, restaurant and lounge with a fireplace. You can take meals at the Coffee Lodge in a private dining tent, where you watch the sunset over the coffee farm while eating breakfast or dinner.

We also cater for special dietary requests when you let us know in advance.

The coffee farm tour

Join a coffee farm tour to learn how coffee is grown, picked and roasted, right on the lodge grounds. Our Experiences add coffee tasting sessions, guided plantation walks, farm-to-table dining and cycling tours.

Our coffee experience tours deliver direct revenue to local farmers, and we repurpose coffee husks as organic fertiliser.

Forest neighbours after dark

The lodge sits in the cool, green highlands close to forested hills on the edge of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, home to blue monkeys, bushbuck and many colourful birds. Wild elephants sometimes come down from the forest at night to feed on the coffee plants, so you will often see tracks near the lodge in the morning.

Short nature walks on nearby trails let you listen for birdsong and enjoy the mountain air.

Coffee Lodge questions answered

How far is the Coffee Lodge from the main hotel?

It sits in a quiet part of our Highview Hotel property, about 100 metres from the main hotel. This means you have a peaceful setting among the coffee bushes while still being a short walk from the restaurant, pool and spa that the lodge shares with the hotel.

What are the rooms like?

We offer double cottages, each with two rooms, a large bathroom and a private veranda. If you are travelling as a family or with friends, ask us how the cottages can be arranged for your group before you book.

Can I see how coffee is made?

Yes. Our coffee farm tour shows you how the coffee is grown, picked and roasted. Ask us when tours run and whether they can be combined with your game-drive schedule.

Do wild animals visit?

Wild elephants sometimes feed on the coffee plants at night. We can’t guarantee sightings, and we ask you to follow our staff’s advice about moving around after dark.

Is the Coffee Lodge a good base for the Ngorongoro Crater?

Yes. Our Highview Hotel is a base for Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara and Lake Eyasi, and the Coffee Lodge sits within the same property. Karatu is about 140 km, or two to three hours, from Arusha, so many guests arrive, rest and set off for the crater early the next day. Ask us how long the drive to the crater gate takes from the lodge.

Discover Ikoma Wild Camp beside the Western Serengeti

For travellers exploring the western Serengeti, Ikoma Wild Camp offers a stay in the Serengeti ecosystem, close to Fort Ikoma gate and the Grumeti River. Its own page places it in the buffer zone of the Serengeti ecosystem, between the Grumeti and Ikorongo game reserves, in the northwest of Serengeti National Park. The camp is close to the Fort Ikoma gate and the Grumeti River, so game drives into the park leave from here.

Its location makes it a base for visitors planning game drives in the surrounding area and excursions into the national park. Accommodation combines traditional bandas, described as round huts, with tented options. Both are listed as having en-suite bathrooms, offering guests a choice of accommodation styles within the same camp setting. The camp is built between two kopjes, the rocky outcrops that rise off the plain.

Tanzania Wild Camps is Tanzanian-owned, founded by Zainab Ansell. The head office is P.O. Box 94, Karatu. Reservations go through sales@wildcamps.com, +255 784 451 000, or WhatsApp +255 655 451 003.

Accommodation, dining, wildlife and facilities at Ikoma Wild Camp

The Ikoma page lists a restaurant with local and international meals, a swimming pool, Wi-Fi, and a bar. Sundowner cocktails and private bush meals are part of that same description, including a bush breakfast and a bush barbecue. These facilities give guests options for relaxing at the camp between safari activities.

The camp’s varied settings let guests take meals and sundowners in different corners of the bush, each with its own view. Its position outside the national park opens up night drives, walking safaris and flexible hours beyond the standard daytime game drive. The Grumeti River runs alongside, its banks lined with riverine forest where Nile crocodiles bask, hippos wallow, colobus monkeys chatter and birds fill the canopy. Out on the plains, giraffes and elephants roam, and seasonal herds of wildebeest and zebra sweep across the grass.

How to get to the Grumeti River and the camp

The camp page says the road from Arusha runs through Makuyuni, Mto wa Mbu, and the Karatu area. Meet and greet transfers can be arranged if the arrival time is sent ahead. The airstrip named for this camp is Seronera. Ask the office which transfer fits the flight, as the page indicates that the transfer can be provided upon prior request.

Ikoma is the company’s western Serengeti stay. The same booking list also includes Serengeti Wild Camp, Serengeti Safari Lodge, and Serengeti Wildebeest Camps, which the site places in central Serengeti. Those are separate camps. A guest who wants the gate at Fort Ikoma, the Grumeti River, and night drives from outside the park is asking for Ikoma Wild Camp.

Questions about Ikoma Wild Camp

Where is Ikoma Wild Camp?

In the Serengeti buffer zone, between the Grumeti and Ikorongo reserves, close to the Fort Ikoma gate and the Grumeti River. The camp sits between two kopjes.

What wildlife does the camp page name?

Crocodiles, hippos, colobus monkeys, and birds along the river, and giraffes, elephants, wildebeest, and zebra on the plains around the camp.

Can you drive at night and walk?

The page says yes, because the camp is outside the national park: day game drives, night game drives, and walking safaris with a guide.

How to book?

Choose Ikoma Wild Camp on the homepage accommodation form, or write to sales@wildcamps.com. The contact numbers are +255 784 451 000 and WhatsApp +255 655 451 003.

Ngorongoro crater accommodation with Tanzania Wild Camps

Ngorongoro crater accommodation, on this company’s own pages, is split between Karatu and Ngorongoro South. The homepage booking list includes Highview Hotel and Highview Coffee Lodge in Karatu, and Ngorongoro Wild Camp and Ngorongoro Safari Lodge in the south of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Those two southern camps are described as south-west of Karatu. Guests sleep there and drive to the crater for game viewing.

Tanzania Wild Camps is Tanzanian-owned. The About page names Zainab Ansell as founder and chief executive. The head office on the contact page is P.O. Box 94, Karatu. The same page lists +255 784 451 000, WhatsApp +255 655 451 003, and sales@wildcamps.com.

Highview Hotel, above Karatu town

Highview Hotel’s page places it on a hill above Karatu, with views over a green valley. The hotel sits in its own coffee plantation, and guests can walk through the coffee bushes. The page describes a restaurant, a lounge with a bar and fireplace, a swimming pool, and a spa. Cultural shows at the hotel include local music, dance, and acrobatics.

The same page calls Highview a base for Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, and Lake Eyasi, and it mentions day trips to a nearby coffee farm and the Iraqw cultural centre. The hotel is close to the forested slopes on the southern side of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. That forest is described as home to blue monkeys and turacos, and the page says wild elephants sometimes come down to the coffee farms at night.

Highview Coffee Lodge, on the same Karatu property

Highview Coffee Lodge is described as a quiet part of the Highview Hotel property, set among the coffee bushes. The page says the cottages have a private veranda looking over the valley and the plantation. Guests use the hotel’s pool, spa, restaurant, and lounge. Meals can be taken in a private dining tent, with the sun going down over the coffee farm.

A coffee tour on the grounds covers how the coffee is grown, picked, and roasted. The lodge sits close to the forested hills at the edge of the conservation area. The page names blue monkeys, bushbuck, and birds in that forest, and it says elephant tracks are sometimes seen near the lodge in the morning. Short nature walks leave from the lodge.

Two camps in Ngorongoro South

Ngorongoro Wild Camp and Ngorongoro Safari Lodge are both placed, on their own pages, in the south of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, south-west of Karatu.

Ngorongoro Wild Camp is a permanent tented camp. The page describes tents and cottages with a private shower and toilet, a veranda, and solar power for light and hot water. It calls the camp a midway stop for travellers going on toward Tarangire, the Serengeti, or Lake Natron. Meals are in the restaurant or at the bar, with sundowners, bush breakfasts, and bush barbecues also listed. Evenings include a campfire. The camp arranges game drives into Ngorongoro Crater. The page names lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, and rhino among the animals of that crater. Two earlier posts already walk through this camp in detail, https://tanzaniawildcamps.com/ngorongoro-wild-camp-your-ultimate-safari-retreat-in-tanzania/ and https://tanzaniawildcamps.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-ngorongoro-wild-camp-your-gateway-to-tanzanias-eden/, so this article only places it among the company’s crater stays.

Ngorongoro Safari Lodge is the other southern stay, also south-west of Karatu, and the overview calls it near the edge of the conservation area. The page describes luxury tents with a private bathroom and a quiet veranda. It says birdlife can be watched from the property. Evenings on that page are wildlife talks and Maasai dance and cultural displays.

How to ask for a stay

The homepage form is labelled Choose Accommodation. Highview Hotel, Highview Coffee Lodge, Ngorongoro Wild Camp, and Ngorongoro Safari Lodge are all on that list, together with the company’s Serengeti camps. The same homepage invites direct booking for Serengeti Safari Lodge and Ngorongoro Wild Camp.

For a question, use the contact page: sales@wildcamps.com, +255 784 451 000, or WhatsApp +255 655 451 003.

Questions about staying near the crater

Where do Tanzania Wild Camps put Ngorongoro crater accommodation?

In Karatu, at Highview Hotel and Highview Coffee Lodge, and in Ngorongoro South, at Ngorongoro Wild Camp and Ngorongoro Safari Lodge. The southern camps are described as south-west of Karatu.

Which Karatu stay is among the coffee?

Highview Coffee Lodge. It is part of the Highview Hotel property and sits among the coffee bushes. The hotel itself is on the hill above Karatu, inside its own plantation.

Do these stays include a crater game drive?

Ngorongoro Wild Camp’s page says the camp arranges game drives into the crater. Highview’s page calls the hotel a base for trips to the crater. Ask the camp which departure you want when you book.

Why Choose Our Luxury Tented Camps

As the winner of the “Best Experience Safari Tented Stay in Tanzania 2021” by the International Travel Awards, we are proud to offer some of the most exclusive accommodations in the heart of the Serengeti National Park.

Our camps are strategically located in the central part of the Serengeti and the buffer zone of the Serengeti ecosystem. This allows you to wake up to the sounds of the wild, enjoy breathtaking views, and access the best game-viewing areas without the crowds.

Whether you are looking for a permanent lodge or a mobile camp that follows the migration, we have an option for you.

1. Serengeti Safari Lodge: Front-Row Views of the Wild

Wake up to lion calls and golden plains. Located in the Seronera area of Central Serengeti, right in the middle of the national park, the Serengeti Safari Lodge is one of the best wildlife spots in Tanzania.

The lodge features 15 spacious, self-contained tents, each with its own private shower and toilet. Guests can enjoy morning and afternoon game drives to see lions, elephants, and giraffes. Because it sits near the route of the Great Migration, it is a fantastic base for watching millions of wildebeest and zebra move across the plains.

Guests can relax in comfort after a day of adventure. The lodge blends into its natural surroundings, so you feel close to nature while still enjoying modern comfort.

2. Serengeti Wild Camp: Truly Close to Nature

For an authentic nature experience, fall asleep to the sound of elephants trumpeting in the distance at the Serengeti Wild Camp. This cozy mobile tented camp is also located in the central Seronera area.¸

The camp has 20 spacious private tents, each self-contained with a private shower and toilet. It is set up to blend in with its natural surroundings, so guests feel close to nature without giving up comfort. The friendly staff are always ready to share knowledge about the local wildlife, making it a perfect spot for exploring the Seronera River and its famous leopard population.

3. Serengeti Wildebeest Camps: Follow the Great Migration

If witnessing the Great Migration is top of your bucket list, the Serengeti Wildebeest Camps offer an unparalleled view of nature’s greatest spectacle. Located in the central part of the park in the Seronera Tana-Extra area, this camp puts you directly in the path of the migrating herds.

With 10 spacious, self-contained private tents, it offers a comfortable and unforgettable first-hand experience of the wilderness. The area is also a haven for birdwatchers, with over 500 species recorded in the surrounding ecosystem.

3. Serengeti Wildebeest Camps: Follow the Great Migration

If witnessing the Great Migration is top of your bucket list, the Serengeti Wildebeest Camps offer an unparalleled view of nature’s greatest spectacle. Located in the central part of the park in the Seronera Tana-Extra area, this camp puts you directly in the path of the migrating herds.

With 10 spacious, self-contained private tents, it offers a comfortable and unforgettable first-hand experience of the wilderness. The area is also a haven for birdwatchers, with over 500 species recorded in the surrounding ecosystem.

Tarangire Safari Overview

Tarangire National Park sits on Tanzania’s northern safari circuit, about two hours from Arusha. It is known for two things above all. Large elephant herds, and the striking baobab trees that scatter across its grasslands. The park receives fewer visitors than the Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater, which makes game drives feel quieter and more ambient.

Tarangire covers roughly 2,850 square kilometres in northern Tanzania. It is named after the Tarangire River, which runs through the park and draws wildlife from a wide radius during the dry season. Unlike the Serengeti, which is mostly open grassland. Tarangire has a mix of habitats including riverine woodland, open plains, swamps, and stands of ancient baobab trees.

Explore our travel guide, and meet the team behind your next African adventure on our about us page.

The Elephants of Tarangire

Tarangire is best known for its elephants. During the dry months, herds concentrate along the Tarangire River and other remaining water sources. Groups of dozens, sometimes even more, are a common sight. You will spot family units, young calves, and large bulls.

The animals are used to vehicles in the main areas, so viewing is often relaxed and prolonged. Photographers find that there’s a spectacular canvas in soft morning and late afternoon light. Guides position the vehicle so all guests can experience the moment.

Elephant numbers drop somewhat in the green season when water is available across a wider area. Even then, Tarangire remains one of the best elephant parks on the northern circuit.

Watching a large herd cross open ground or gather at a water point is one of the great safari sights. Calves stay close to their mothers. Older females lead. Keep a respectful distance, especially when young ones are present.

For official park information, explore the Tanzania National Parks website for trusted information on Tarangire National Park and other protected areas across Tanzania.

Baobab Landscapes of Tarangire

Baobab trees give Tarangire its iconic look. These ancient giants stand alone or in small groups across the savannah. Their thick trunks and sparse branches create a landscape that feels timeless.

A baobab moment often combines an elephant or giraffe with one of these trees in the frame. The result is one of the most recognisable scenes in East African safari photography. Many guests ask their guide to stop simply to appreciate the experience of the trees’ tranquility.

The trees also provide food and shade for wildlife. Elephants sometimes strip bark. Birds nest in the hollows. The baobabs are part of the living system, not just scenery.

Some of the largest specimens are centuries old. Standing beside one gives a sense of scale that photographs only partly capture.

The Wildlife Wonders of Tarangire Safari

Beyond elephants, Tarangire is home to a strong population of buffalos, giraffes, zebras, and wildebeest. Lions are present and often seen near the river in the dry season. Leopards occur in the woodier areas. Cheetahs appear on the open plains.

Birdlife is outstanding. Over 500 iconic species have been recorded. Colourful rollers, bee-eaters, and raptors are regular sights. The wetter months bring even more migrants.

The commingling of habitats, including but not limited to riverine woodland, open grassland, and swamp, supports this variety. Inclusive guiding means bird and mammal enthusiasts can both be accommodated within the same drive.

In short, a Tarangire safari delivers more than elephants and baobabs. It offers a full range of classic savannah wildlife in a less crowded setting.

Best Season for Tarangire Tanzania

The dry season, from June to October, is peak time for Tarangire elephants and general game viewing. Water sources shrink. Animals concentrate. Visibility is good because the grass is short.

The early dry months and the late dry months both work well. October can be hot, yet wildlife remains excellent.

The green season brings lush scenery and fewer vehicles. Some animals spread out, so densities feel lower. Birding, however, is often at its best. Photographers who like dramatic skies and green backdrops find these months rewarding.

Most northern circuit travellers visit Tarangire in the dry season as part of a wider route. That timing maximises the elephant experience for the whole group.

If your dates fall in the green season, Tarangire is an essential. The park feels ambient and the light can be beautiful after rain. Adjust expectations around elephant density and enjoy the birdlife and scenery.

Why Tarangire Fits Northern Circuit Itineraries

Many itineraries place Tarangire at the start of the northern circuit. It sits closest to Arusha, so the transfer is short. From there the route leads to Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, and the Serengeti.

Two nights is a comfortable length for most visitors. Arrive in the afternoon for a first game drive. Spend the full next day exploring different areas of the park. Depart the following morning toward Ngorongoro or back toward Arusha.

A three-night stay allows a slower pace and a second full day of drives. It also gives more chances to chase bucket-list sightings. Families and groups often prefer this extra buffer.

The change of scenery keeps a longer safari feeling fresh. Each park has its own character, and Tarangire is the plot twist you need before and after the crater, and the Serengeti.

Why settle for an ordinary getaway when you can go to Tarangire? Already have dates? Write to us through contact us with your dates and priorities. Let’s start turning that bucket-list into reality.

Where to Stay Near Tarangire

Accommodation near Tarangire falls into a few desirable categories.

Inside the park, public and private camps offer the closest access to the game drive areas. These work perfectly for early morning and late afternoon drives.

On the park boundary, tented camps and lodges sit close to the gates. Most offer a mix of comfort levels, from mid-range to luxury.

Near Karatu or Lake Manyara, a broader choice of unforgettable options is available. These work well when Tarangire is combined with Ngorongoro Crater the next day.

Contact the lodge or your operator directly for current availability and pricing. The team can help match the right property to your style and budget.

Photography Tips for Tarangire

The light in Tarangire is the best in the early morning and late afternoon. The soft, warm tones suit both wildlife portraits and landscape shots.

The baobabs work well especially as foreground subjects. Positioning a tree to one side of the frame, with elephants or plains behind it, creates depth and scale.

During the dry season, dust from moving herds can create atmospheric shots. During the green season, storm clouds and wet light produce dramatic backdrops. Both offer distinct moods worth capturing.

Bring binoculars and a camera with a decent zoom. A second battery and plenty of memory cards are worth having for full-day drives.

Tarangire Safari FAQs