The small but lively town of Karatu lies at the foot of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. It is usually a stopover on the way there or back to the Serengeti or the Ngorongoro Crater. There are various opportunities here for shopping and relaxing by the pool in one of the beautiful lodges before or after an exciting safari trip. If you have a little more time in Karatu, you can take part in a coffee tour and learn a lot about the cultivation, harvesting and processing of the delicious beans. The town’s knowledgeable guides can also provide you with information about the Iraqw tribe living in the area. If you like to be active, you can go on a bike tour or a hike to the elephant caves, for example. Here, the pachyderms are constantly digging for minerals in the earth, creating caves over time. With a bit of luck, you may come across a herd of elephants at work. Karatu also hosts a local Maasai market once a week, which you can visit.