Eileen's Trees Inn is a family-run inn located 1.5 km from the town of Karatu, in the Crater Highlands, in northern Tanzania. Nestled beneath the trees of a tropical garden, in the immediate vicinity of the Ngorongoro conservation area, it serves as a logistical base for travellers combining the parks of the northern circuit.

Why choose Eileen's Trees Inn

The inn is managed by Tanzanians who work in safari and hospitality. This dual expertise shows in the organisation: practical advice on departure times for the crater, transfer management, meals adapted to late returns from game drives. Its position in Karatu, midway between Manyara airport and the Ngorongoro gate, makes it a relevant stop for combining multiple parks without adding extra travel time.

The establishment remains intimate in scale, without pretensions to premium lodge status, but the facilities (pool, restaurant, fitness area) cover the needs of a multi-night safari stay.

Atmosphere and character of the place

The grounds are planted with large trees and flowers that structure the flow between rooms, restaurant and pool. The tone is homely rather than hotel-like: scattered garden chairs, lounge-bar in a rustic setting, minimal background noise. This is a place where you return early from the park, dine at regular hours and plan the next day's outing with your guide.

The rooms

The rooms are set within the tropical garden and offer a choice of twin beds or a double bed, all equipped with mosquito nets. Each has a private bathroom and a furnished veranda with seating, which extends the room's living space outdoors. Upkeep is meticulous and the space is comfortable for a 2 to 3-night stay between safari stages.

Services and dining

Eileen's Trees Inn features a restaurant working with local ingredients, a lounge-bar, an outdoor pool with terrace and a fitness centre. A few wellness services, including massages, are available on-site—handy after a long day on the trails.

• Restaurant featuring local ingredients
• Outdoor pool with terrace
• Fitness centre and massage services
• Lounge and bar for evenings

Location and access

The inn is located 1.5 km from Karatu, in the Crater Highlands. Allow 35 minutes' drive from Manyara airport, roughly 2 hours from Arusha and 3 hours from Kilimanjaro international airport. Most travellers arrive by 4x4 vehicle as part of an organised circuit. To place this stop in its regional context, you can consult our page on Karatu.

Nearby attractions

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

The entrance to Ngorongoro is a short drive away. The crater, one of the world's largest intact calderas, concentrates dense wildlife across a compact area, including black rhinoceros. The area also encompasses the Olduvai Gorge, a major site for the study of human evolution.

Lake Manyara National Park

About 40 minutes' drive away, the park combines tropical forest, grasslands and wetlands bordering the lake. You can spot primates (blue monkeys, green monkeys), elephants and, with a bit of luck, the tree-climbing lions characteristic of the site.

Tarangire National Park

Tarangire is roughly 1.5 hours' drive away. Known for its high concentration of elephants, especially in the dry season, it also hosts lions, buffalo, giraffes and leopards. For another base camp near the crater, see the Embalakai Ngorongoro Camp; for staying in the garden-lodge category, the Farm of Dreams Lodge offers a comparable alternative.

When to visit

The best periods for the northern circuit (Ngorongoro, Manyara, Tarangire) are the dry season, from June to October, and the short window of January–February between the two rainy seasons. Vegetation is less dense, wildlife concentrates around water sources and tracks remain passable.

Planning your stay

Eileen's Trees Inn fits naturally into a 7 to 12-day northern Tanzania safari circuit. To build your itinerary and choose parks based on season, explore our Tanzania trips.