Lake Manyara Tree Lodge

premier Camp | Lake Manyara Nat'l Park, Tanzania

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Built on stilts in the leafy canopy of an ancient mahogany forest, Lake Manyara Tree Lodge is the only lodge within Lake Manyara National Park. Providing a maximum 20 guests with the ultimate in safari exclusivity, the lodge is a romantic and luxurious base from which to explore the diverse terrain and abundant wildlife of this famed national park, renowned for its vast herds elephants and pink flamingos.

Our Expert Says

Because of its location at the farthest end of Lake Manyara National Park, the Tree Lodge is not for everyone. But if your idea of a good time is relaxation in the shade of the forest, enjoying the incredible bird life of the park, and taking part in leisurely half or full day wildlife drives, this lodge is a top-notch luxury option.

– Aly Jacobsen

The Camp

Location: Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania
Number of Rooms: 10

The only lodge inside Lake Manyara National Park, Lake Manyara Tree Lodge is tucked among the boughs of a mahogany forest in a remote corner of the reserve, between the lakeshore and the dramatic Rift Valley escarpment. Its 10 intimate tree-house suites are luxuriously furnished, incorporating natural colors and materials that meld with the cool, leafy surroundings. Each suite features a spacious bedroom and sitting room, and an en suite bathroom with oversized soaking tub and private outdoor shower. The expansive private verandas and huge windows open onto the lush forest, welcoming in the sights and sounds of the African bush. Thatched roofs and warm wood interiors further blur the distinction between the natural and the manmade. One of the suites is a family unit with two en suite bedrooms. Meals are prepared in an interactive kitchen, where guests can enjoy watching the chef’s creative flair. Sumptuous dinners are served beneath starry skies in an open air ‘boma,’ encircled by a tall fence of gnarled wood.

Facilities & Amenities

En suite bathroom with tub and outdoor shower
Shampoo, conditioner and soap
Hair dryer
Room fan
220v charging outlets in room
In-room safe
Central pool
In-room massage (extra cost)
"Gym in a bag"
Wi-Fi in main area
Laundry included
Local drinks included (house alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks)
Credit cards accepted (Visa, MasterCard and American Express)
No air conditioning or cellular coverage

Wildlife Viewing & Activities

Although small compared to some of Tanzania’s other wildlife enclaves, Lake Manyara National Park offers an incredible diversity of habitats and species. Originally established to protect the elephants for which this area is famous, the park is equally renowned for the huge flocks of flamingos that turn the lake’s surface into a sea of shimmering pink. And no visit to Lake Manyara is complete without going in search of the famous tree-climbing lions, which have become icons of the park. Large herds of buffalo, cheetah, leopard, Masai giraffe and hippo are also frequently sighted here. The park is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with more than 400 species recorded, particularly waterfowl and migrants. Activities include twice-daily nature drives in search of the famous tree-climbing lions and vast herds of elephant. On late afternoon wildlife drives, guests witness the dramatic sight of the sun slowly sinking behind Lake Manyara, coloring the flocks of flamingo on its shores coral-gold.

Lake Manyara has varying concentrations and species of wildlife throughout the year, and the below chart helps to illustrate major wildlife sightings often experienced in the area. Other typical sightings may include flamingo on the lake when there is water and a number of other smaller mammals, birds and reptiles. Exact sightings will depend on weather and wildlife movements.

Country	Park/Reserve	Buffalo	Cheetah	Elephant	Giraffe	Hippo	Hyena	Leopard	Lion	Wildebeest	Zebra
Tanzania	Lake Manyara Nat'l Park

Usually viewed

Frequently viewed

Occasionally viewed

Sporadically viewed

Rarely to never viewed

Climate

Month	Max	Min	Rainfall
January	84° F	63° F	1.61 in
	28° C	17° C	41 mm
February	88° F	63° F	1.14 in
	31° C	17° C	29 mm
March	88° F	64° F	3.31 in
	31° C	17° C	84 mm
April	84° F	64° F	4.69 in
	28° C	17° C	119 mm
May	82° F	61° F	1.06 in
	27° C	16° C	27 mm
June	81° F	57° F	0.08 in
	27° C	13° C	2 mm
July	79° F	55° F	0.08 in
	26° C	12° C	2 mm
August	81° F	55° F	0.08 in
	27° C	12° C	2 mm
September	84° F	57° F	0.08 in
	28° C	13° C	2 mm
October	86° F	61° F	1.06 in
	30° C	16° C	27 mm
November	82° F	63° F	6.65 in
	27° C	17° C	169 mm
December	81° F	63° F	4.61 in
	27° C	17° C	117 mm

Conservation

Lake Manyara Tree Lodge supports several community development and conservation initiatives in the area. The Africa Foundation, Lake Manyara Tree Lodge’s development partner, helped a young nurse motivate the local community to renovate and repair an aging medical clinic in the nearby Mayoka community. Because of their efforts, the District Medical Officer appointed a full-time doctor to work at the clinic, which now provides medical care to 5,000 local people. Working closely with the Africa Foundation, Lake Manyara Tree Lodge encourages staff and local community members to participate in a wellness program geared toward developing and maintaining healthy immune systems by promoting healthy diets, taking vitamins and minerals, and maintaining positive attitudes, all key factors in fighting chronic illness including HIV/Aids. Lake Manyara Tree Lodge is also helping to fund a Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania (WCST) monitoring project of the Long-billed Tailorbird and Amani Sunbird, two globally threatened bird species, in the East Usambara Mountains.