Karatu is an old and lively little town about a half hour outside Ngorongoro Crater in the rolling highlands of the southwestern crater rim, a scenic area of very rich agricultural production. With the limited accommodations available on the crater rim itself, a growing number of new lodges serving tourists headed for the crater are appearing here. And unconstrained by being in a protected reserve, these lodges offer a variety of activities like walking safaris, horse riding, village visits and considerable local shopping.