Karatu Town

Karatu town :  Karatu  is a small town in the Arusha District that is perfectly situated on the borders of Lake Manyara National Park and Ngorongoro Crater, earning it the moniker “The Tanzania Northern Safari Junction.” It is frequently used as a quick stopover in between The Northern Tanzania safari trips or as a less expensive lodging option than staying on the rim of the crater and within Lake Manyara National Park. If you only see it as a stopover, you may miss out on some incredible cultural tourism and outdoor adventure! If you have a few extra days, check out what Karatu has to offer as a break between safaris.

Karatu is a small but lively town that provides an excellent opportunity to experience Tanzanian culture while on safari. Most visitors pass through on their way to safari camps, but if you have time, it’s worth stopping to make some cultural connections. The town’s main draw, however, is its proximity to the Ngorongoro highlands and the world-famous Ngorongoro crater. You could easily spend several days here taking guided nature hikes through dense forests and coffee plantations, as well as visiting the vast crater floor.

A trip to Karatu is an excellent way to learn more about contemporary African village life. Visit the market, which is filled with vegetables, fruits, spices, clothing, and fabrics, and let your guide help you decide what to try and buy. And at what cost? Because bargaining is essential in Tanzanian markets! The market is also a good place to find souvenirs because local artists sell their paintings, wood carvings, and handmade jewelry there. And if you want to try something different than hotel food, you can do so here. Have you tried ugali yet?

KARATU, TANZANIA WEATHER

Karatu has a tropical savanna climate with distinct wet and dry seasons throughout the year. Karatu’s rainy season typically lasts from March to May and then again from October to December. During this period, the weather in Karatu consists of rain, which can occasionally cause flooding. During the rainy season, the average temperature is around 25°C (77°F).

Karatu’s dry season lasts from June to September and then again from January to February. The weather is generally warm and dry during this time of year, with temperatures ranging from around 17°C (63°F) to 27°C (81°F).

EXPLORE KARATU

Karatu tours are an excellent way to spend a few hours. Take a stroll through the vibrant market, which sells everything from Tinga-Tinga paintings to carved wooden souvenirs. This is an excellent location for meeting locals and bartering for goods. As you travel, you may want to stop for fried cassava, Chapati, fried flatbread, or fried bananas from a street vendor. To be on the safe side, I’d only advice eating hot, prepared foods.

Along the Karatu main route, small mobile kiosks with colorful American names like Mrs. Obama and John Kerry gift shops (there’s even an Obama Hotel in town) featured on The Amazing Race can be found. Visit a brickmaking facility because brickmaking is a significant local industry and the process is fascinating to observe. The Karatu Tourism Program or your hotel can assist you in planning a more comprehensive tour of the town.

TRAVELING TO KARATU, TANZANIA

Karatu is located in the district of Arusha. It is best to travel there by car or bus from Arusha. On a good road, the 150 kilometers will take just over two hours. Arusha’s international airport is Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO), which is about 45 minutes away from the city.

Taking a bus or Daladala is a less expensive option. This process can take up to three hours and should cost between 5000 and 7000 TSH. These are frequently crowded, and the low price often means sacrificing comfort. For safety reasons, it is generally preferable to take a bus that arrives before nightfall.

A small plane to the Lake Manyara airstrip is also recommended if you are willing to spend a little more money. Both Coastal Aviation and Air Excel fly from Arusha to Manyara as a stopover on their way to the Serengeti for around $100 USD. Keep an eye out because this flight will almost certainly depart from Arusha Airport, a small local airport, rather than Kilimanjaro Airport, where you may have arrived via an international flight. It is about a 30-minute drive from the Manyara airstrip to Karatu, either by taxi or through a transfer arranged by us at Select Adventure safari.

WHEN TO VISIT KARATU

Karatu can be visited all year, but because you will most likely be visiting in conjunction with or as a base for safaris in the adjacent national parks, it is best to visit during the dry season, which runs from June to October. Because of the unique geography of the Ngorongoro Crater, animal sightings are excellent all year, but from June to October, the grass is shorter, making it easier to spot animals. This is also true for Lake Manyara, though both parks become lush and green during the wet season. Ngorongoro Crater, in particular, can get very crowded in the dry season, so you might prefer it in the wet season. Some roads may become too muddy and thus impassable during the wet season, but this should not detract from your safari experience.

KARATU ACTIVITIES/VISITS/EXCURSIONS:

Karatu is frequently misunderstood as a stopover between the big safari parks of the Northern Tanzania Safari Circuit, but there are many things to do in and around Karatu that are worth a visit. This bustling little town center itself offers numerous opportunities for cultural tourism; why not go souvenir shopping, visit a coffee farm, or even try brewing your own beer?

 In Karatu, two organizations specialize in cultural tourism, and they, along with your hotels, are best able to arrange activities for you. The Ganako Cultural Tourism Program organizes environmentally friendly tours in and around Karatu, with all proceeds going to a local charity.

Iraqw Karatu also organizes a variety of activities that provide fascinating insights into the culture of the local tribe. Some of these places, such as the market, can be discovered on your own, but for most cultural tourism, it is often best to stick to an organized tour, where a guide can teach you about local customs and ensure an appropriate approach to the population. Here are some other suggestions for Karatu activities:

• Karatu Town Tour
• Karatu Iraqw Market
• Iraqi Cultural Center
• Coffee plantation tour
• Walk or trek on rim slopes.
• Quad bike
• Elephant Caves and Waterfall Walk

Karatu is ideal for day trips to local attractions in addition to serving as a stopover for major national parks. Ganako and Iraqw Karatu offer hikes to Mlima Nyoka (Snake Hill) for a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape and the Rift Valley, as well as day trips to the old German settlement of Oldeani to learn about the country’s colonial history and the beautiful Lake Eyasi. The latter is still relatively unknown to most tourists and thus provides a more private experience of the beautiful lake and its flora and fauna. You can also visit the Hadzabe Bushmen, one of East Africa’s last remaining hunting and gathering people, and even go hunting with them at Lake Eyasi.

IS KARATU CULTURAL TOURISM SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE?

Cultural tourism can sometimes become voyeuristic, with undertones of a “slum safari.” Stepping into people’s homes and lives as a tourist may make you feel uneasy. Both Ganako and Iraqw Karatu ensure a socially responsible approach to this type of tourism by supporting local projects and donating money directly to the communities and people visited. Touristic ventures are an important part of these people’s livelihoods. You can learn about cultural practices and taboos by traveling with a guide, and they will be able to translate for you. Always ask for permission before taking photos! Avoid participating in children’s projects because the constant influx of volunteers can lead to abandonment issues for children.

KARATU LOCAL TRIBES

The Iraqw, a predominantly Christian people, are the dominant tribe in Karatu. Their language is linguistically distinct because it originated in Ethiopia. They are farmers who benefit from selling cultural products such as pottery to tourists in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

 The Hadzabe Bushmen are one of East Africa’s last remaining hunting and gathering people, living around Lake Eyasi. Only about 1000 people still live around the lake as the Tanzanian government gradually encroaches on their territory. A visit to Hadzabe is like stepping back in time. Their language, Hadzane, is based on click sounds.

The Datoga are also agriculturalists and craftspeople who live near Lake Eyasi. They are known for their circular tattoos on their faces and have a warrior reputation. They are extremely isolated, with only 5% of the population speaking Swahili, Tanzania’s national language. Literacy and education levels are at an all-time low. They are thought to have migrated south thousands of years ago, and their language has Ethiopian and South Sudanese roots.