Bougainvillea Safari Lodge

Bougainvillea Safari Lodge in Karatu Town Tanzania is a charming property located not too far from Lake Manyara.

Each room is a separate villa, quite large and nicely decorated, although the bathroom, while very large, is pretty plain.

Good shower pressure, however, and lots of hot water, always a welcome commodity in Tanzania.

The fireplaces in the room are a nice touch. If you are in the rooms on the far side of the property, know that you will hear chickens in the nearby town announcing most of the early morning hours.

However, the real draw here is the food. Reginald, one of the owners, is the head chef, and really knows what he is doing.

Pretty much everyone in our group acknowledged that it was the best food we had in Tanzania, which included stays at the Serena Lodges an Ngorongoro and Serengeti, and Mbalageti Tented Lodge, which are much higher priced. Obviously the views don't compare, but the food was superior. 

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The food here is not fancy, or stunningly beautiful, but is prepared with such attention to aroma, flavor and texture that it was really noteworthy. It was like being invited to the home of a friend who is a very talented cook.

Also, although I did not get the chance to try it, friends we were traveling with said that the massage provided in the building beside the pool was as good that they ever had, at a cost of about $40.

If you will be near Karatu in your trip through Tanzania, I highly recommend a stay here.