Gibbs Farm

Gibb’s Farm is a “fantasy turned reality” for those who seek to reconnect with the earth. Originally established as a coffee plantation in the late 1920s and famously restored by James and Margaret Gibb in 1948, this is one of the oldest and most beloved guesthouses in Northern Tanzania. It is a warm, friendly community where the “rhythm of farm life” serves as a natural medicine for the weary traveler.

A Legacy in Every Acre: The History of Gibb’s Farm

Gibb’s Farm isn’t just a place to stay; it is a living timeline of the Ngorongoro Highlands. Its history stretches from ancient migrations to colonial coffee pioneers and the birth of Tanzanian tourism.

• Ancient Roots (2,000 Years Ago): The fertile slopes were first cultivated by the Mbulu (Iraqw) people, a Cushitic group from Ethiopia and Yemen. Their agricultural expertise laid the foundation for the region’s productivity long before European arrival.
• The Maasai Influence: In the late 1700s, the Maasai arrived but eventually moved to lower lands better suited for cattle, leaving the highlands to their agricultural neighbors.
• The German Coffee Era (1920s): Following a period of German settlement in the late 1800s, a German farmer established the coffee farm in the late 1920s, subsidized by the German government.
• War and Neglect: During World War II, the British government seized the property as “enemy property.” The farm fell into a state of neglect throughout the war years.
• The Gibb Restoration (1948): James Gibb, a British war veteran, purchased the derelict farm in 1948 and returned it to its former glory. In 1959, he married Margaret, a local-born Tanzanian of British descent and a passionate gardener.
• Pioneering Tourism (1972): As the Ngorongoro Conservation Area gained international fame, the Gibbs built the first guest cottages in 1972. This made Gibb’s Farm one of the very first guesthouses in Northern Tanzania.

A New Chapter (2003): After Margaret Gibb ran the farm for decades following James’s death, the legacy was passed to new investors—long-time loyal guests—who have meticulously upgraded the cottages while preserving the “rhythm of farm life.”