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Enjoy lunch on a 100-year-old farm before visiting the nearby Iraqw community, who’ve lived in Ngorongoro for generations…
Enjoy an organic farm lunch before visiting a nearby Iraqw community, who’ve lived in the Ngorongoro area for generations. Gibb’s Farm is set on a 100-year-old coffee plantation on the slopes of the Ngorongoro Crater, which means the soil is very fertile and perfect for farming. The property has acres of gardens where they grow their own fruit and vegetables, so their lunch spreads are known as the best in the area.
If we arrive early, you can have a walk around the farm or watch a coffee demonstration before having a relaxed lunch. There’s a lovely outdoor dining area beneath the guava trees where you can enjoy views over the farm and its huge trees, flower gardens and the coffee estate. The farm is on the edge of the Ngorongoro forest and conservation area, so the weather is usually sunny and warm.
After lunch, we drive a couple of kilometres to a nearby village that belongs to the Iraqw people. In Tanzania, we have 125 different tribes, each one with their own language and culture. Most people get to visit a Maasai village while on safari in Tanzania, but the Iraqw people are lesser-known. Historically, they’re farmers who make a living from the land and still practise many of their traditions. The Iraqw people originally built their small, round houses into steep slopes so they were camouflaged from the Maasai, who would often steal their livestock.
You’ll be greeted by the father of the community and gather in the main hut to listen to a talk about Iraqw life. There’s a demonstration of how the women make wedding skirts from animal skins and carry water. You’ll also learn about traditional farming techniques and see how the villagers grind maize and millet with local tools – you can even try some of their powerful homemade alcohol. Guests are usually fascinated by this cultural visit, it’s an opportunity to meet one of Tanzania’s most unique communities.
Your journey will start with one of our UK team – someone like Gemma, who's travelled extensively in Tanzania. They’ll shape your ideas into the trip of a lifetime. But they won't do it on their own. They'll draw on the expertise of our contacts on the ground, connecting you to the people who'll make your holiday one you'll always remember - the rangers who'll ensure you'll spot the best wildlife, the village chiefs who'll give you a genuine insight into local life and the camp managers who can recommend the very best spot to enjoy your sundowner.
Freephone an expert 01306 744 656