The Octagon Safari Lodge is a small and intimate hotel a short drive from Tanzania 's world famous Ngorongoro Crater. Built in the old colonial farmhouse style the lodge evokes the charm of an old African homestead.

In harmony with the environment the architecture combines natural elements to give the lodge an authentic African feel. Situated on the spacious grounds, which are home to a wide variety of birdlife and provide a wonderful place to relax and enjoy an afternoon tea.

The lodge is an ideal place to stay while on safari at Ngorongoro or Lake Manyara or indeed for those who wish to relax and enjoy warm Tanzanian hospitality and good food.

The Octagon Safari Lodge is located in Karatu between Lake Manyara National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area, about 20 mins drive to the park gate.

The rooms at Octagon Safari Lodge have been designed in the style of luxury summer chalets. Every effort has been made to ensure your personal comfort while at the same time we are environmentally conscious and the buildings have been planned with a strong emphasis on harmonising the structures with the surrounding vegetation.

Each room can accommodate two people or more and contains an ensuite bathroom and shower. The beds are four poster and all extra large with draping nets for protection against insects. Each chalet also has its own individual private veranda outside where guests can sit out and enjoy the sun; read a book or even write a postcard!

The Gardens: The Octagon Lodge gardens provide a terrific spot to relax and contemplate the many animals you have encountered during your days on safari. You can sit out on the patio, enjoy some tea and scones or read a book.

For the keen gardener a garden tour is a must do as the grounds are teeming with the copious flowers, fruits and trees of an East African garden. You can even pick your own vegetables and herbs from the kitchen garden which supplies the restaurant! Bird lovers will be in paradise as the lodge abounds with a multitude of magnificent specimens of different colours and species.

Lodge Restaurant: The main restaurant is a delightfully spacious building which recreates the unique spirit of an old African homestead. The tastefully textured interior rooms provide a beautiful spot to enjoy our sumptuous buffet service or indeed just to relax, chat or play some chess or the Tanzanian bao.

Alternatively you can enjoy the refreshing breeze on the outside terrace which is surrounded by a multitude of luscious tropical plants and beautifully coloured birds.

Irish Bar: After a tiring day on safari it is not only the animals of the Serengeti that need a choice watering hole to relax!! Designed by Irishman Rory Egan and thatched by the local masai, the Irish Bar provides our guests with a uniquely charming venue to put their feet up and catch up on the day's safari adventures.

Sip an Irish whiskey or a Guinness by the old stone fireplace or relax in a wicker chair on our cool outside terrace.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner at the lodge is a buffet service (depending upon group size). Cooking is home style and includes a wide selection of continental French and Italian dishes in addition to some occasional Tanzanian specialties.

Vegetarian options and picnic baskets are available upon request. We also have a BBQ building purposely built for outdoor barbecuing - the perfect accompaniment on those mild African evenings.

A broad choice of tasty meats, spit roasted or chargrilled with great care, is available from the 'nyama choma' (swahili for 'roast meat') house.

Situated about 25-30km from the famous Ngorongoro and Manyara national parks, Octagon Safari Lodge is a convenient stop-over to and from these key destinations. Other activities include game drives, walking safaris and cultural safaris. Hiking, cycling and canoeing can be arranged upon request.

Tanzania is truly the land of the safari adventure. Undoubtedly Tanzania has some of the greatest natural wonders on this earth. You can climb to the summit of Africa's highest mountain Kilimanjaro or go cheetah spotting on the open plains of the Serengeti.

Alternatively, take a cultural tour to experience the fantastically diverse traditional cultures of this remarkable country. Visit traditional houses and enjoy the local town market of Karatu and sample the exotic fruits and spices for which Tanzania is famous.

Prices on application. Accommodation is on a full board basis including 3 meals daily.