Comfort, Warmth & Highland Charm in Karatu
Bougainvillea Safari Lodge is a welcoming mid-range lodge set amidst beautifully landscaped gardens on the edges of Karatu town. Known for its cozy atmosphere, generous hospitality, and excellent value, the lodge offers a peaceful retreat for travelers exploring the Northern Safari Circuit. With charming cottages, warm interiors, inviting fireplaces, and lush bougainvillea blooms that decorate the property, the lodge delivers a homelike environment that blends comfort and authentic East African charm. It is the perfect place to relax between adventures to Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara, and beyond.






Location & Setting
The lodge is conveniently located in Karatu, just a short drive from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area gate and within easy reach of Lake Manyara National Park. Its central highland location provides cool, refreshing weather and a quiet countryside feel while still offering access to local markets, farms, coffee plantations, and cultural sites. Bougainvillea Safari Lodge serves as an ideal base for safari travelers wanting both convenience and tranquility.
Accommodation & Facilities
Highlights
Warm, homelike atmosphere, ideal for relaxing after long game drives
Locally inspired cuisine, featuring fresh produce from nearby farms and gardens
Beautiful garden surroundings, perfect for peaceful walks and photography
Spacious, well-designed cottages, offering comfort and privacy
Inviting fireplaces in the dining and lounge areas for cozy highland evenings
Strategic location close to Ngorongoro and Manyara, minimizing driving time
Friendly and attentive staff known for their hospitality and personal care
Ideal for Safari Travellers
Bougainvillea Safari Lodge is perfect for safari travelers who value comfort, warmth, and affordability without compromising quality. Its relaxed environment appeals to families, couples, small groups, and independent travelers looking for a peaceful place to unwind between safari excursions. The spacious rooms, hearty meals, and welcoming staff provide a refreshing retreat from the dust and excitement of the bush. Whether you’re gearing up for a crater drive or returning from a day of wildlife exploration, Bougainvillea Safari Lodge offers the ideal blend of calm, convenience, and highland charm.
What our Client Say
EXCELLENT Based on 223 reviews Posted on Rachel MVerified The best, most thoughtful and memorable hiking tour I went with my dad on the 8 day Lemosho Route Kilimanjaro climb with Kiliclimb, and Moses and his team put together an absolutely incredible trip! Everything was flawless from start to finish, from the organization and service to the guides, crew, and overall experience.Our guides (Baraka and Godson) were the best and genuinely so kind and caring, checking in constantly and even doing daily wellness checks. They provided daily briefings and always clearly communicated what was ahead. What stood out to me even more was hearing the guides talk about how great Moses is and how much they enjoy working for him. That says a lot about the company and, in my opinion, really matters when choosing an outfitter!The food was spectacular the entire trip and clearly planned with altitude in mind. We had the best soup every day, plus amazing fish, chicken, beef, and yes, even pizza! The whole team was remarkable and so tuned into our needs, including setting up a private bathroom tent, which was a huge comfort.Moses went above and beyond personally as well. Before the trip, he reviewed my gear and flagged that I did not have warm enough layers for summit day, then loaned me a jacket and pants so I was properly prepared. He also arranged transportation to and from the airport, making it truly feel like a full package experience.I could not have asked for a better Kilimanjaro climb, and I highly, highly recommend Kiliclimb to anyone considering the mountain!Posted on Sightseer03489358946Verified Kili, wow I did it. Großartige Tour mit einem tollen Veranstalter. Sehr gute Betreuung von einem perfekt vorbereitetem, zuverlässigen erfahren Team. Kann ich nur empfehlen, war sehr spaßig und voller neuer, schöner Eindrücke trotz Anstrengung, die eine Tour auf einen 5895 Meter hohen Berg, mit sich bringt.Posted on Patrick BVerified Great communication, reliable service, good value for money and an unforgettable Kilimanjaro tour. Our Kilimanjaro tour was an incredible experience, made truly unforgettable by a mature, highly reliable, trustworthy, friendly, positive, and very experienced team.”Posted on Dong JVerified The best Guide for Kilimanjaro and safari in Africa My friend and I did 6 days Kilimanjaro Climb via The Machame Route for 6 days and The whole Team was Super Helpful and Friendly from Answering our queries 24/7 available to Day one to day 6 everything went really Smoothly and professionally!! We got Top notch Service and you could tell that they really care and passionate about their job !! I would highly recommend this company to anyone who wants the best experience in Tanzania and on mountain KilimanjaroPosted on Emily AVerified Amazing Local Company A friend and I went on a 4-day private safari through Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, and the Serengeti, and it was absolutely incredible. From start to finish, the Kiliclimb staff exceeded our expectations. After completing our Kilimanjaro trek, we were staying at a hotel in Arusha and were greeted by the team and picked up directly from the hotel, which made the transition seamless and stress-free.We were incredibly lucky to have Ombeni as our guide. Thanks to his deep knowledge of the parks and strong relationships with other guides and rangers, we saw every animal we hoped for. He constantly checked in with us, asking for feedback and what we wanted to focus on each day, which made the experience feel truly personalized.Ombeni was funny, kind, and genuinely made the trip unforgettable. And don’t sleep on his photography skills, he’s seriously talented! We couldn’t recommend this local company more. They also gave us t-shirts and safari hats which was a nice touch!Posted on SakiVerified Unforgettable 4-Day Adventure – Onbeni is a Legend! Our 4-day trip through the Serengeti, Ndutu, and Ngorongoro was the highlight of our travels, and that is entirely thanks to our guide, Onbeni.From the start, Onbeni brought a high-energy, positive vibe that made every game drive an adventure. His "superpower" is undoubtedly his eyes—his ability to spot wildlife is incredible. The absolute highlight was when Onbeni was the first to spot a rare leopard, giving us a private viewing before any other vehicles arrived!We also spent an unforgettable time driving alongside the Wildebeest migration, witnessing the magic of the newborn babies in Ndutu. Onbeni’s professionalism and deep knowledge of the land made us feel safe and informed throughout. If you want a guide who is professional, energetic, and has a "sixth sense" for finding animals, ask for Onbeni!Posted on Luna LVerified 5/5 stars! 5/5 stars! This Tanzania safari local agency made our trip absolutely unforgettable. Our guide was super knowledgeable about wildlife—we spotted the Big Five smoothly and he shared fascinating facts about animals and local culture. The 4x4 jeep was comfortable, transfers were on time, and the lodges were clean with great food. No hidden fees, flexible schedule, and the team cared about every detail. 100% recommend for an amazing African safari experience!Posted on Scenic31703861634Verified Great experience! Kiliclimb organized an extremely wonderful safari overall. Our expectations were exceeded by far. From the organization, to the hospitality, to the experiences, accommodations, and personal relationship with our guide Ombeni. Ombeni did an outstanding job. He knew every national park very well and knew exactly where we could observe animals. He was very friendly and always responded to our needs. You couldn't ask for a better guide than Ombeni at your side. Communication with the Kiliclimb management also worked wonderfully. We would recommend a safari with Kiliclimb at any time. Asante sana!Posted on Maurice BVerified Once-in-a-lifetime experience Our safari tour was a unique experience! We didn't expect to see so much! We saw the Big Five, we saw a wildebeest migration, we saw the birth of a wildebeest calf and much more. Our guide, Ombeni, accompanied us for seven days and made so much possible for us. His flexibility, warmth and knowledge were invaluable. We felt very comfortable and highly recommend Kiliclimb! Thank you for everything. Asante sana!Posted on Joane BVerified Unforgettable 7-day safari with Kiliclimb Safari – highly recommended! Our 7-day personalized safari with Kiliclimb Safari was simply fantastic and exceeded all our expectations. Thanks to our great guide Ombeni, the best guide you could wish for, we saw and learned an incredible amount. Every day was a new highlight!The tour was superbly organized, everything ran smoothly and professionally. The contact with Janeth via WhatsApp was particularly good. She was always available, extremely helpful, and always responded quickly and friendly. You feel well taken care of from the very beginning.We would book this safari again anytime and can recommend Kiliclimb Safari and Ombeni 100%. A unique experience that we will never forget!












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