Campsites around Mto wa-Mbu

The bustling village of Mto wa Mbu (river of mosquitoes) offers a number of budget camp-sites. Whilst we normally do not include these in our itineraries, since at times these places can be quite busy and loud, these campsites offer a low-budget alternative for the private camps and lodges in and around Lake Manyara National Park.

Often used camp-sites are:

Twiga Campsite and Lodge
Offering 8 luxury bungalows, 16 standard rooms and ample ground to put down your tent. In the middle of Mto wa Mbu, close to the entrance to Lake Manyara National Park, it offers a small swimming pool, internet cafe and a restaurant/bar. A popular place for families.

Kiboko Bush Camp
10 self-contained permanent tents in a lovely tract of acacia forest, set well apart under thatched roofs, though sparsely furnished with small beds and with unattractive concrete showers and toilets. Also has a large campsite but only 2 toilets and showers and a restaurant and bar in a large thatched building.

Jambo Campsite
Another family friendly camp-site in the middle of Mto wa Mbu. Well maintained gardens for camping and en-suite rooms in 2-storey houses with TV, fridge, and terrace or balcony. A small but excellent swimming pool, restaurant and baobab tree bar.

Panorama Safari Camp
Driving past Mto wa Mbu and the entrance gates to Lake Manyara National Park, you will zig-zag your way up the rift valley to the plateau of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Serengeti. Right on top of this road, overlooking lake Manyara down below, is a simple camp-site called Panorama Safari Camp, offering a place to put up your own tent, or ready-set tents for rental. The lack of a pool is compensated by the incredible views down below.

Isoitok Maasai Permanent Tented Camp

Esilalei Isoitok – many stones in Kimaasai (Maasai language) – Tented Camp is a private bush-camp operated by Bush2Beach which has a history behind it which makes it very special in itself. If you – the intrepid traveler – are to venture our way and would like to understand and take a look behind the scenes in Maasai culture then a night or two at Isoitok is a must.

A wild bush camp blended in its natural surroundings with as few changes as possible to the mother nature apart from manicuring it and creating suitable shady areas for both the mobile semi lux tents along with the new edition as of December 2010 with the establishments of x 2 permanent luxury tents that measure 8 x 4 meters, are fully furnished and offer private toilets and washing basins.

In addition to this we have also added a permanent mess/bar tent that offers views through the bush across to the Great Rift Valley wall that towers above Lake Manyara National Park – we can assure you it makes for a great sundowner spot.

Lake Manyara wildlife lodge

Lake Manyara Wildlife lodge is probably the first hotel of a chain of lodges that you would visit if heading out on a northern wildlife safari. The Hotel is perched high on the escarpment overlooking Lake Manyara N.P offering exceptional views over the Rift valley floor and the lake itself.

Lake Manyara Wildlife Lodge offers 87 standard rooms, third bed available on request, 3 family rooms, 8 deluxe rooms and 2 suites, all of which overlook the Lake Manyara National Park or the Hotel gardens.

A short scenic flight from Arusha over the Great Rift Valley can deliver you to the airstrip near by where one can conduct visits to Manyara or Ngororongoro. Return after a days game activities and relax by the pool with a sundowner cocktail.

Migunga Forest Camp

Nestled in a quiet corner on the northwest of the lake, Migunga Tented Camp is only 5 minutes from the entrance of Lake Manyara National Park, which spreads out across the Great East African Rift Valley, dominating a vast landscape. Often called Tanzania’s water wonderland due to the large number of birds and animals the lake supports, Lake Manyara NP is also famous for its’ tree-climbing lions.

Migunga is nestled away in a quiet corner of 35 acres of acacia forest and consists of 19 semi-luxury permanent tents on raised platforms with attached bathrooms and private veranda. A year ago Migunga benefited from an upgrade which consisted of the addition of 11 new ensuite spacious meru tents and a new wood and thatch main building which houses the restaurant, bar and reading area.

All the tents are discreetly placed around a central glade, offering shade and privacy but still only a short walk to the restaurant and bar.

E Unoto Retreat

E Unoto Retreat resembles an authentic Tanzanian Maasai village and has been designed to blend with the natural surroundings. Only 25 mins from Lake Manyara, E-Unoto Retreat is easily accessible by road from nearby airports and just 2 hours drive from Arusha town.

The 25 plush luxury bandas are set along a ridge running up the side of The Great Rift Valley wall. The lodge was constructed incorporating traditional Maasai methods and with environmental awareness. The verandah of every individual suite offers guests spectacular views of Lake Miwaleni and the towering Great Rift Escarpment.

Scenic views of the landscape also extend from the restaurant, bar and swimming pool. E Unoto Retreat is the ideal African escape for individuals, couples, families, honeymooners and conference and incentive groups.

Lake Manyara tree Lodge

Top-end lodging inside Lake Manyara National Park. More of a retreat than a lodge, the Lake Manyara Tree Lodge provides very personalized service. The Lodge is set in the heart of a mahogany, acacia forest, designed with minimal impact on the environment.

It is situated well inside Lake Manyara N.P in the southwestern area of the park close to Maji moto hot springs. Offering panoramic views across the mud flats to the lake, wildlife is common around the grounds of the lodge.

Each tree house features classically elegant rooms, fitted with contemporary furnishings, large windows to invite the lush forest inside. With only ten spacious cabins, an open bush central dining area and bar. You are guaranteed of a very personalized service to compliment the ultimate Safari experience.

Manyara Serena lodge

Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge, perched high above the Great Rift Valley, offers panoramic views across the Rift valley floor to Lake Manyara National Park. As with all Serena lodges Manyara Serena offers an inspirational architectural design of traditional Maasai ‘Bomas’ with scenes depicting the bird migration patterns.

The lodge has 67 rooms in African-style rondavels. Return from game drives of Lake Manyara soak in the endless vista from the infinity pool, truly a sight to behold.

Kirurumu tented Lodge

Kirurumu Tented Lodge is set high on the edge of the Great Rift Valley, offering panoramic view eastward over Lake Manyara, the Rift floor and Mt. Losimingori. The natural bush surroundings seems to envelope the camp in green and fertile splendor.

Kirurumu Tented Lodge offers 20 solar powered large safari tents fully en-suite with, hot and cold running water. The open fronted bar complete with sun-deck again offering excellent panoramic views of the rift valley.

The camp attracts a huge amount of resident birdlife, so if relaxing in between game drives the birding and nature walks can be very rewarding.