Gibb's Farm

Gibb's Farm is a working Farm located on the forested slopes of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. It comprises a warm and friendly community where the rhythm of Farm Life has calmed and restored the weary safari journeyer for over 40 years. View of Gibbs Farm Gibb’s Farm hugs nearly a mile of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, part of a 3,200 square mile reserve. Ideally located, the Farm lies half way between Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater, near the village of Karatu. Set among formal English gardens, the Farmhouse and 20 ensuite cottages are the heart of a working farm. Built in 1929, the Farmhouse has hardly changed, retaining the charm of a well looked-after private house. Cozy living rooms and reading corners are just steps away from the dining room, bar and gift shop. Fireplaces fill the Farmhouse with warmth and historical charm. Just outside, a sprawling verandah and floral garden invite sweeping views of the valley below the Farm. Organic Coffee is grown, processed and roasted on the Farm, and a vast 10-acre organic fruit and vegetable garden provides 90% of the ingredients needed for fresh, home-cooked meals. Gibb’s Farm provides a welcome stay on any safari, and a base from which to enjoy the many activities available in the foothills of the Ngorongoro Forest, The Ngorongoro Crater and Manyara National Park. Even if your stay is short, find time for a gentle walk or a tour of our gardens.

Where we operate

Tanzania

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Our Commitment to Responsible Tourism

Ecology

Gibb’s Farm is a model for sustainable, environmentally-respectful practices, continuing the legacy of founders Margaret and Jim Gibb. The farm has won numerous awards, including the Tanzania Tourism Board’s 2011 & 2012 Sustainable Tourism Award, Condé Nast Traveler magazine’s World Saver Award and the Educational Travel Community’s Responsible Tourism Award.

Operation of the entire organic farm—consisting of 30 acres of coffee, 10 acres of vegetables and fruit, 5 acres of flowers and herbs and a working dairy and pig farm—is based upon sustainable farming methods. Everything is grown organically using only natural fertilizer and compost from the farm. Insect-repellant plants help to manage pests, rather than harmful pesticides. Reclaimed water is used whenever possible, and all buildings and furniture are built onsite using local materials and local labor.

Our sustainable, responsible practices include:

• 90% of the food served is grown on the farm.
• 100% of grey-water is recycled.
• 90% of our hot water is heated using solar power.
• All glass bottles are broken down and recycled, or used in building foundations.

Water Ecology

• 100% of grey-water from kitchens, bathtubs, rainwater and laundry is recycled into organic farms and gardens via a reed plant filtration system. 
• The largest solar panel array in northern Tanzania heats 90% or the farm’s water.
• Treatment systems use bio-digesting septic tanks and French drain leach fields.
• Pure well water, filtered through a Katadyn filter, provide drinking water and ice. Bottled water purchases are discouraged.
• Non-potable water comes from three sources: a 50-year-old dam built in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and piped to the vegetable and flower gardens; reed plant-filtered grey water, and; well water.

Refuse Disposal

Gibb’s Farm recycles or disposes of all waste onsite, so that no solid waste is placed into the surrounding community waste stream. Our responsible disposal practices include:

• 100% of kitchen and food waste are either fed to farm pigs or composted for use in the organic gardens.  Cottage and kitchen fireplace ashes and pig and cow manure is added to the compost system.  Much of the flower and vegetable plant cuttings are also composted.
• Most plastic breaks down in ultraviolet sunshine.  After a few months the bottles are broken and buried in an 80-foot pit, specially designed for non-toxic material.  
• Glass wine bottles are stored in bulk and donated to various causes, such as a small NGO where handicapped artisans recycle the glass to make jewelry.
• Tin cans are flattened, burned and placed in the 80-foot pit.  Odd bits of metal are reused in construction or sold for scrap.
• Miscellaneous items such as light bulbs & metal spray cans are placed directly into the 80-foot pit.  The rest is burned and buried. 
• Paper and small plastics are burned, and either added to the compost system or placed in the 80-foot pit. 
• Recycled motor oil is collected and used to prevent insect damage to building cladding. 

Building Materials & Grounds

All farm restoration and construction is conducted with minimal importation and local fabrication.  This practice develops community skills and minimizes transportation fuel pollution. Toilet fixtures, most textiles and some electrical materials were imported. 

• The farm’s tree nursery (with predominantly native species) helps to control erosion and reforest the environment.
• More than 50% of old building materials were used as foundations, doors, shutters and roofing for new buildings and restoration.  Cottages are made of stone and sustainable wood that is treated with recycled motor oil to protect it from insects to limit brick making and old growth tree cutting.
• Sustainable materials are used to build staff housing, from sun-dried mud bricks to thatched roofs, providing an example for the community of affordable alternatives to tin roofing and concrete intensive construction.
• Furniture, textiles and artwork are crafted on the farm by local carpenters, craftsmen and artists-in-residence. A carpenter guild was established to teach fine furniture making and joinery.  Carpenters work in the farm wood shop, creating furniture for sale or ply their newly-learned skill in the local villages.
• 50% of cottage walls are glass to allow for natural illumination, and low energy lighting and timer switches are installed in many areas.
• In kitchen and storage areas, transparent sheets are mixed with corrugated tin roofing to allow natural lighting in.
• Cottage cross ventilation and roof overhang provide cooling and shading properties.

Laundry

Laundry is washed with water heated by solar power and clothes are dried using the sun and fresh air. Electric dryers are available upon request, but sun-drying is the preferred, more ecologically sound method. 

• Laundry is sun-dried. In inclement weather, a large open-air shelter allows for drying. 
• Water is heated by solar power.
• Grey water is recycled.
• Bio-degradable detergent is used.

Gardens & Estate Forests

Eight gardens have been restored or established to attract bird and insect life, and to provide a natural respite from the rigors of safari. You will discover a vast array of tree and bush species, many indigenous to East Africa.  Botanical artist Riziki Kateya has catalogued many of the plants, a few of which are unique to Gibb’s Farm. There is also a tree nursery where hundreds of young saplings are grown to encourage the growth of native tree species in the area.

• Herb Garden: The kitchen herb garden features over 10 indigenous varieties and the formal English herb garden contains a variety of ornamental herbs.
• Cactus Garden: Features 15 varieties of cactus, relocated from other areas of the farm. 
• Flower Garden: Over 200 species of birds have been sighted at Gibb’sFarm, many of which are attracted by the flower garden, originally planted over 40 years by Margaret Gibb.
• Rose Garden: A small part of the original floral inventory included 15 species of roses.  These have been returned to their first location among the oldest cottages and expanded.
• Margaret’s Garden: A small garden that retains its original design and content.
• Medicine Garden – Medicinal plants are freshly gathered and harvested from the Osero Forest Clinic’s medicine garden for use in traditional cures and treatments.
• Trees and Shrubs:  Over 60 species grow within the farm.
• Ornamental Flowers: Nearly 200 species are represented; an exhaustive list is currently being completed.