Accommodations in Lake Manyara national park

Accommodations in Lake Manyara national park: Where to stay in Lake Manyara national park refers to the different accommodations that visitors or tourists on safari in the national park stay. The national park is located in the northern part of Tanzania near other wildlife viewing destinations such as Tarangire national park, Serengeti national park and the Ngorongoro conservation area. 

Tourists visiting Lake Manyara national park can stay at the accommodation facilities such as lodges and hotels which are located both in and outside the national park. This makes it easier for the tourists to choose from the various options of hotels and lodges to stay at during their safaris.

The strategic location of Lake Manyara national park close to Arusha also makes it convenient due to the little drive time during a safari hence leading to the fact that the tourists get to relax in the comfort of their lodges and also enjoy the views around the national park.

There are different terms for booking in the many accommodation facilities around Lake Manyara national park and they include check in and check out of the lodge. The time for check in varies depending on the lodges or hotels and check out is usually on the last day of staying at the accommodation.

Meals that are served at the lodges and hotels in Lake Manyara national park are on full board and half board basis. These meals include breakfast, lunch as well as dinner served for guests staying at the lodges or hotels in the national park.

The accommodations in Lake Manyara national park also offer activities for their guests to engage in during their stay at the lodges or hotels. These activities include the following;

  • Game drives are among the activities that guests staying at some of the accommodations in Lake Manyara national park enjoy. These game drives are carried out in the company of a guide who provides all the information during the game drives that take place at different times of day such as in the morning, in the afternoon and in the evening. During the morning game drives, as the guests enjoy the sunrise and the amazing scenery in the national park, different wildlife species such as elephants, tree climbing lions, warthogs, cheetahs, gazelles, impalas, klipspringers, hippos among others are also easy to spot in the national park since they are very active in the morning as compared to the afternoon and evening.
  • Nature walks are another unique form of wildlife viewing which guests staying in the accommodations in Lake Manyara national park engage in. These nature walks are guided and involve exploring the beautiful and diverse scenery and landscape of the national park on foot.
  • Community visits involve visiting the Maasai villages such as Mto wa Mbu where guests staying in the accommodations in lake Manyara national park interact with the locals and get to know more about their way of life and engage in activities such as visiting the traditional homesteads of the Maasai known as “manyattas”, joining in on the traditional dance performances, listening to folk stories among others.
  • Honeymoon excursions are also organized for guests staying at the lodges and other accommodation facilities in Lake Manyara national park.  These packages are usually organized upon request to the lodges or camp management and can be organized to suit the preferences of the guests.
  • Bush dinners can also be organized by the lodges and camps where guests visiting Lake Manyara national park stay during their safaris. The accommodation facilities organize these dinners and guests enjoy the sunset while feasting on their special meals prepared by the skilled chefs at the lodges and camps in the national park. 

Payment for rooms at the accommodations such as camps or lodges in Lake Manyara national park can be made by the visitor directly or by a tour operator who organizes a safari to the national park on behalf of a client.

Rooms at the accommodation facilities in Lake Manyara national park such as lodges are booking in advance. The advance booking of rooms is done by making payments for the rooms that can be a full payment of a deposit.

Booking rooms in advance ensures proper preparation and prevents issues that arise due to overbooking and under booking the rooms at the different accommodations in Lake Manyara national park.

There are different seasons for making bookings at the accommodation facilities in Lake Manyara national park and they include the peak season, high season and low season. During the high and peak seasons, the lodges are fully booked and many tourists can be seen in the national park and the prices of the lodges are high. The low season in comparison is characterized by few tourists in the national park and low subsidized prices at the lodges.

Service providers at the accommodation facilities in Lake Manyara national park lodges also consists of local community which is a way of giving back to the locals since they get to benefit from tourism through employment.

There are various types of accommodation in Lake Manyara national park and they include budget accommodation, midrange accommodation and luxury accommodation;

  • Luxury accommodation

Luxury accommodation is also referred to as up end accommodations and they include the following;

Lake Manyara Sopa lodge, Lake Manyara Serena lodge, Lake Manyara Kilimamoja lodge, Acacia farm lodge, and beyond Lake Manyara tree lodge, Manyara wildlife safari camp among others.

  • Midrange accommodation

Midrange accommodations in Lake Manyara national park include the following;

Lake Manyara Tortilis camp, Twiga lodge, Kirurumu tented lodge, Lake Manyara wildlife lodge, Escarpment lodge, Migunga tented camp among others.

  • Budget accommodation 

Budget accommodation is also known as basic accommodations and they include the following;

Nsya lodge, Jambo rooms, Eco bama camp, Haven nature camp and lodge among others.

Types of rooms at the accommodation facilities in Lake Manyara national park include single rooms, double rooms, twin rooms, suites as well as family cottages. These rooms are equipped with facilities such as showers, toilets as well as cozy and comfortable decors.

General facilities in the accommodations in Lake Manyara national park include restaurants, bars, swimming pools, parking space, comfortable rooms, laundry services among others amenities to be enjoyed by the guests staying at the lodges.

Tourists can also choose camping as an option of accommodation during their stay in Lake Manyara national park. There are different camp sites at this destination and they include both public and private campsites around the national park.

Enjoy the comfort of sleeping and dining at the finest accommodations in the paradise of the tree climbing lions as you visit Lake Manyara national park.

Accommodations in Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park, situated in Tanzania’s northern region, is 126 km west of Arusha Town. A total of 220 square kilometres make up the park’s 330 square kilometres. From its soda lake in the Rift Valley to its rugged mountainside and lush forests, Lake Manyara National Park provides a wilderness experience in a variety of settings. In addition to its breathtaking scenery, the park is well-known for its huge elephant herds, which it was created to save, and its peculiar tree-climbing lions. Its subterranean forests, bush plains, baobab-strewn cliffs, and algae-streaked hot springs provide remarkable ecological diversity in a compact space, are teeming with species, and are home to an astounding number of birds, making safari experiences in this magnificent park truly remarkable.

Lake Manyara National Park offers a variety of lodging options, from camping to low-cost lodges, hostels, and upscale lodges. When it comes to lodging, there is something to suit every budget. In Lake Manyara National Park, lodging options range from lodges and hotels to tented camps and hostels for those on a tight budget. Certain lodgings, particularly tented campgrounds, are easily movable based on the time of year and the movement of the animals. Number of excellent lodges that are available, such as;

Lake Manyara Tree Lodge

Situated between towering mahogany trees, Lake Manyara Tree Lodge is home to just ten exquisitely private and evocative stilted tree huts. Large windows let in the charm of a verdant forest. Each lavishly furnished suite, which is thatched with makuti palm ferns and constructed from faded, natural wood, has a large porch with a table and chairs, an outdoor shower with a bamboo screen, an en suite bathroom with flush toilet, vanity sinks and a standalone bathtub with views of the jungle. With cotton bed linens, natural fabric furnishings, ceiling fans, and mosquito nets, the dreamlike tree bedroom is complemented by spacious living rooms with modern designs in earth and straw hues. In Lake Manyara National Park, this is one of the primary lodging options.

Manyara Ranch Tented Camp

Eight generously sized, spotlessly clean and luxurious, insect-proof canvas tents, each around 30 square meters in size, provide safari-style comfort for daring guests. A shared tarp extension behind the bed provides hot and cold running water in an attached bathroom. The facilities include a shower and a flush toilet. Along with a secure storage chest, closet, and luggage rack, there is a light-filled, spacious writing area with a desk and chair that is illuminated by solar power

 at night. Each tent has a handy terrace where guests may sit and observe the local wildlife, which roams freely around the camp.

Escarpment Luxury Lodge

Escarpment Luxury Lodge first appears as a collection of chic, chalet-style buildings with rich stone and timber accents, arranged at different elevations amidst light vegetation, and a large pool and terrace area that serves as a striking focal point. There is free Wi-Fi and a pleasant common area with a restaurant, bar and lounge deck. There are sixteen spacious, private cottages that may accommodate two or three people each. They have wooden floors, mosquito-netted king-size or twin beds, and picture windows that can be kept open at night. They are very lovely and clean. In addition to an indoor shower, flush toilet, vanity units, and a bath, there is a walled outdoor shower next to a large, private viewing terrace. The unusual décor features chandeliers, velvet couches, and beautiful ethnic artefacts—a combination that can only be found in Tanzania. Views over the gorge, through verdant woodland, and Lake Manyara gleaming in the distance are breathtaking from the sundeck, the bed, and even the bath.

Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge

Nestled in the midst of the abundant wildlife and unparalleled solitude of Lake Manyara National Park, Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge greets you with a serene setting. The lake is home to more than 300 migratory birds, such as grey-headed kingfishers, long-crested eagles, and flamingos. The lodge’s architecture mimics this remarkable birdlife, with swooping avian curves and brightly coloured wall frescoes that illustrate the intricate patterns of bird migration.

At Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge, you’ll find all you need to unwind, revitalise, and take in the area’s unique beauty. Located in circular two-story “rondavels,” our lodging honours history while providing modern conveniences. The main dining area, Flamingo Restaurant, offers mouth watering food and a patio with lovely views. We can also set up a lunch in the wilderness for you. Enjoy a magical game drive or outdoor adventure, visit one of the nearby villages, or just relax by the lodge’s “vanishing horizon” pool. Our stunning setting and state-of-the-art amenities, together with the meticulous attention to detail of their planning staff, are all advantages for those who choose to organise their wedding or group event with us.

Twiga Camp

Twiga Camp offers the finest value for money in the area if you don’t want all the extras. Both standard rooms and campsites are available, so there are solutions to fit any budget. The on-site restaurant and swimming pool set it apart from other campsites in Tanzania’s national parks.

How to get there

By Road

Lake Manyara National Park, located 126 km (78 mi) southwest of Arusha close to the multicultural market town of Mto wa Mbu, is accessible via a recently paved road. Driving there from Arusha takes about one hour and thirty minutes, and from the Ngorongoro crater it takes less than an hour. Particularly in the afternoon, several parts of the northern park become very busy. The park’s two primary entrances are situated in the north and south, respectively. The park is also accessible from Babati, the capital of the Manyara Region. A 4×4 safari vehicle is strongly advised for visitors who drive to the park.

By Air

The Tanzanian park in the Arusha Region is served by  the nearby Lake Manyara Airport. For those who do not plan to drive, it is easy to fly directly to the park from Kilimanjaro or Arusha airports.