We discovered Bougainvillea Safari Lodge on our last trip through Karatu; it was opened in march 2006 by a local onion farmer, and a chef who worked at Gibb's Farm. They saw potential for a simple and friendly guest house in Karatu, and so approached the government for a loan. Once granted, building began and the outcome is a 24-room lodge, close to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which offers comfortable but simple accommodation. It's fine for a night or two. This lodge has strong community links, with some of the profits going into helping the local community. All of the staff are originally from the Ethiopian highlands (they belong to the Iraqw tribe) but have been living in Karatu for some time. When we last visited, it was very clear that the staff are very proud of the lodge and the levels of community involvement.
Bougainvillea Safari Lodge has 24 stone bungalows set in landscaped gardens, and linked by hedged walkways. The bungalows have been simply, but comfortably furnished. All have their own verandah from where you can sit and enjoy the peace and quiet of the gardens. For a town property, we were impressed with the obvious thought that has been given to the layout of this lodge. The bungalows aren't too close together and very spacious inside.
Bougainvillea Safari Lodge has a couple of large dining rooms, a bar, a small curio shop and plenty of both indoor and outdoor seating areas. Although most of the rooms and public areas have been completed and are well-furnished, we were told that there are a few plans still in the pipeline. The last time we were there we saw the beginning process of setting up a small internet café and an all-day, self-service tea/coffee/cappuccino bar. There are also plans for televisions in each of the bedrooms and a heated swimming pool in their gardens. Even without these, this lodge makes a good, economic place to stay for a night or two.
You are in the middle of a busy town, but Bougainvillea is set back off the main road – and doesn't feel at all noisy or crowded. The bungalows are comfortable and spotless and the staff are charming. Even though it was our first visit here, we left feeling as though we'd visited old friends.
Central facilities: There is one main reception building at Bougainvillea Safari Lodge. It is made from stone and wood and has cool tiles on the floor. The building houses the small reception, the small, but well-stocked curio shop, bar, a dining room and a conference room (this can also double as a second dining room). They have kept the décor to a minimum, preferring instead to show off exposed stone walls and fireplaces – and used the ceiling as the main show piece; it's covered it with a light wood in an eye-catching, traditional design. There are plenty of wicker chairs and wooden tables to relax at in the bar area.
If you make your way through a white-painted archway, you come to the dining area. Again, this is simply decorated, there are spears on the walls and they have used Maasai blankets as table cloths. The tables and chairs are well spaced out. When the lodge gets busy, there is a conference room which can double as a second dining room. As you make your way outside, there is a shaded terrace, overlooking the gardens, so if you prefer, you can enjoy your meals outside.
Directions: Bougainvillea Safari Lodge is 300m off the main road running through Karatu. It is signed.
Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer
Key personnel
Owner: Community Project and independently run.
Staff: Camp/Lodge Manager: Jacob. A. Ombay
Ops manager: Reginald Bayo
Food & drink
Usual board basis: Full Board
Food quality: Breakfast and lunch at Bougainvillea are both buffet style meals, laid out in the spacious dining room. There are hot and cold options for both meals. Dinner is a set meal served to your table.
The chef, Reggie, will happily cater for vegetarians and children on request. Reggie was formerly the chef at Gibb's Farm. We didn't have time to sample the food here, but Reggie has brought with him a good reputation and, we hope, good cooking!
If you are planning on leaving early or going out for a full day's game drive, Reggie and his staff will arrange a picnic breakfast and/or lunch on request.
Dining style: Inidividual Tables
Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Room service: Yes
Drinks included: No drinks are included at Bougainvillea Safari Lodge, but costs are very moderate. A beer costs $2, a small bottle of water $1, a big bottle $2 and soft drinks cost $1.
Special interests
Traditional Cultures: Bougainvillea can arrange a 45-minute walk around the busy town of Karatu. You can also visit a village to meet some of the local community and get a taste for their way of life. The lodge has a complimentary guide who will be happy to show you around.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for traditional cultures in Tanzania
Walking: Bougainvillea can arrange guided and self-guided walks, lasting from about 30 minutes to 3 hours, around the beautiful coffee farms in the area. They have a guide who can accompany you if you would like to learn about the coffee farms and Karatu currently for no extra cost.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for walking in Tanzania
Children
Attitude towards children: Children are welcome at Bougainvillea Safari Lodge.
Age restrictions: There are no age restrictions are the lodge.
Activities: There are no special activities or services at Bougainvillea Safari Lodge for children.
Equipment: The lodge has baby cots. The last time we were there, (September 07), the lodge didn't have high chairs, but said they would be getting them shortly.
Generally recommended for children: Yes.
Central communications
Communications: There is a fax and telephone for public use at an extra charge. The last time we were there, the lodge was in the process of installing a small internet café for public use.
There is limited cell phone reception at the lodge.
TV & radio: When we visited, the lodge was waiting for televisions to be installed in all of the rooms.
Health & safety
Malarial area: 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: Behind the lodge's large gates, which are manned 24-hours, there are 6 guards on duty at night.
Fire safety: There are fire extinguishers at the lodge and on our last visit, we were told that more were due to be delivered, to put near the rooms.
Extras
Disabled access: On Request
Laundry facilities: Full Laundry Service - Extra Charge
Money: The lodge prefers guests to pay with cash whenever possible and accepts the following currencies: US$, Euros, Pounds Sterling, Tanzanian Shillings and Kenyan Shillings.
They also accept travellers' cheques and charge no commission for them.
Bougainvillea can exchange currency in small amounts.
Accepted payment: Bougainvillea only accepts Visa credit cards, and charges 5% commission for this.
