&Beyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge
Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania, Africa
Lake Manyara is famous for its tree-climbing lions, reportedly to get away from annoying insects. Cradled in the boughs of an ancient mahogany forest, the lodge blends into the natural beauty of its breathtaking surroundings.
The only lodge in Lake Manyara National Park, it offers an exclusive wildlife experience with only ten luxurious yet intimate suites located in a remote corner of the reserve.
A Day at Lake Manyara
Morning Game Drive
As dawn breaks over the Rift Valley, a gentle tap on your door will wake you to the delights of a new day. Your guide will discuss what you hope to see that day over fragrant tea or coffee and morning biscuits or rusks. Explore the remote southern reaches of the Park in an open 4x4 safari vehicle in the company of your guide. Go in search of elephant, lion or the flocks of flamingo on the shores of the lake. Your guide will break for a hot drink and a snack to refresh you.
Breakfast
Return to the lodge for a delicious breakfast, with platters of fruit and cheese followed by a selection of hot breakfast dishes. Choose from eggs, oats, waffles or a number of other options.
Lunch
Relax in your leafy treehouse until it is time for lunch or watch your meal being prepared in the interactive kitchen.
Afternoon Tea
Cool off with a refreshing dip in the lodge pool or indulge in a siesta. Over a late afternoon tea, your guide will discuss your plans for the afternoon game drive.
Afternoon Game Drive
Head off in search of the wildlife in the cooler late afternoon. The herds head out to the Lake to drink and bathe before settling down for the night, while the predators are warming up for the night's hunting. Stop at a scenic spot for sundowners to watch the sun sink under the horizon.
Dinner
Back at the Lodge, a mouthwatering dinner is waiting in the lamplit boma.
Accommodation
Hidden away high in the trees in a secluded corner of the national park, Lake Manyara Tree Lodge offers a sophisticated blend of natural indulgence and romance. Nestled in dense forest between the lakeshore and the steep Rift Valley escarpment, the lodge is perfectly positioned to explore the park’s wealth of habitats. Set in the remote southern region of the park, you would be surprised to see another vehicle on your game drive.
Each suite is a lofty tree house with private veranda and large windows that open up to the lush forest, welcoming in the sights and sounds of the African bush. Woodchip paths and natural branch railings blur the edges between the natural and the manmade, while wooden interiors and thatched roofs invite the surrounding forest indoors. Spacious bedrooms and sitting rooms float in a sea of green, opening up onto a leafy canopy. Even a soak in the large, free-standing tub offers a panoramic view, with an open air shower behind a simple bamboo screen.
The lodge pool beckons like a cool oasis in an ocean of shady green. Generous decks suspended above the forest floor open up to a wooded embrace. Split level sitting and dining rooms combine with high thatched ceilings to create a sense of space, while warm wood interiors and understated sofas carve out cosy corners. Tantalising aromas drift from the open, interactive kitchen, luring guests to watch as simple but delicious meals are prepared. The theatre of the open kitchen is translated into the drama of the dining boma, encircled by a tall fence of gnarled wood.
Rates
Please contact us for our latest rates and availability.
Lodges offer varied rates which change from time to time. Rates depend on service levels, the type of lodge or hotel, number and age of guests, the time of year, location and any specials which may apply at time of enquiry.
Rate Inclusions and Exclusions
- Accommodation
- Three meals daily
- Soft drinks
- House wines
- Local brand spirits and beers
- Teas and coffees
- Refreshments on lodge activities
- Laundry
- Morning and afternoon game drives
- Emergency evacuation insurance
- Transfers between Manyara airstrip and Lake Manyara Tree Lodge (this is a game drive transfer)
- Telephone calls
- Safari shop purchases
- Gratuities
- And all items of a personal nature
- Champagne
- Cognac
- Fine wines
- Premium brand spirits and cigars
- Tourism Development Levy
- Park and conservancy fees
- Transfers Lake Manyara airstrip/Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
- Administration fee
- All rates are inclusive of VAT and in US Dollars.
- Accommodation rates are per person per night sharing.
- Long-Stay Rates: May be applied for a combination of &Beyond lodges in Africa (subject to seasonal availability of the offer), for the same guests on a single itinerary. These cannot be used in conjunction with any other &Beyond offers, including Signature offers.
- Single Supplement: High Season: A single supplement of 50% applies to all single rooms. Remainder of year: A single supplement of 25% applies to all single rooms.
- All Tourism services are levied with an 18% Value Added Tax
- Children under the age of 16 sharing with 1 or 2 adults are charged 50% of the adult rate. This is subject to the availability of triple rooms.
- Private 4x4 safari vehicles can be pre-booked at Lake Manyara Tree Lodge at additional cost and subject to availability
- National park fees are not included in the above mentioned rates - these are charged per 24-hour period
- All pricing is indicative and subject to exchange rate fluctuations.
- &Beyond Trading Terms apply
Children at Lake Manyara
Children are welcome at Lake Manyara Tree Lodge
Travel to Tanzania is recommended for children 8 years or older. When available, booking an exclusive use safari vehicle means that game drives can be tailored for the shorter attention span of younger children, leaving and coming back to the lodge at any time. A swimming pool is available for families to enjoy.
The lodge is also able to accommodate a limited number of triple rooms. This means that, should parents wish to share a room with younger children, an additional bed will be set up in the parents’ room for children 16 years or younger.
When not using an exclusive use vehicle, game drives are available to children aged twelve years and older. Children aged six to twelve are permitted on game drives at the lodge manager’s discretion. While children younger than six cannot participate in game drives, childminders can be arranged during game drives and meal times at an additional cost.
Designed especially for children visiting &Beyond’s lodges, WILDchild is a filled with fun, interactive activities that offer opportunities to learn and discover new experiences and cultures. On arrival at Lake Manyara Tree Lodge, each child will receive a WILDchild branded bag containing a logbook, crayons, pencils and a pawprint tattoo. There is a personalised welcome note for every child, with those under three getting an African-themed soft toy as well.
Wildlife at Lake Manyara
Created to protect its magnificent elephant herds, Manyara National Park is equally famous for the unusual behaviour of its tree-climbing lions as for the flocks of pink flamingos that inhabit the lake's shores.
The tree-climbing lions of Lake Manyara, which prefer resting in tree branches during the day rather than dozing on the ground, have become iconic of this incredible park.
Another evocative image from the shores of Lake Manyara is the huge flocks of flamingo that feed in the shallows of the lakes during much of the year, often perched on one leg and with their heads inverted under the water as they feed on the algae that thrive in these saline waters.
Large numbers of buffalo, cheetah, leopard, Maasai giraffe and hippo can all be encountered. Hippo rarely venture too far out into the alkaline waters of Lake Manyara, preferring the stream-fed pools of fresh water along its shores. While these huge mammals spend most of the day in the water, after dark they emerge to feed on the floodplain.
The reserve is considered to have the highest density of the olive baboon anywhere in Africa, with troops of up to 200 members. The acacia dominated woodlands around Lake Manyara provide the perfect habitat for the Maasai giraffe.
The park is also a birdwatcher's paradise, with more than 400 species, particularly waterfowl and migrants. In October, migrant species arrive at Manyara from as far as the Arctic. With its ample water and luscious vegetation, Lake Manyara attracts an incredible amount of bird species. Perhaps the most elegant of these is the grey crowned crane, with its extravagant crown and long legs. One of the most spectacular sights in the birding world is the courtship dance, when groups of birds assemble before breeding season.
Activities at Lake Manyara Tree Lodge
(Available at an additional cost)
EXPLORING LAKE MANYARA BY BICYCLE
Guests visiting Lake Manyara Tree Lodge can enjoy a scenic bike ride through the nearby Mayoka community, hosted throughout by an expert &Beyond guide. After a quick game drive to Mayoka, located just 4 km south of the Lodge, you will collect your bicycle and embark on your journey. Cycle through this bustling village and interact with the friendly people. You might even encounter the nomadic Mang’ati tribe (also known as the Datooga tribe), adorned with traditional animal skin cloaks, skirts and colourful beads. A picturesque bike ride will then bring you to the lakeshore, where you can admire the bright pink flocks of flamingoes. If the birds are close enough, then strap on some gumboots and walk out to observe and photograph the birds. As they fly overhead, watch the pink cloud as it floats over you. Definitely something for the bucket list! Alternatively, there is a guided walk on the same route. All proceeds from this adventure go directly to the Mayoka community. Maximum of 14 guests.
NIGHT GAME DRIVE
Night game drive in Lake Manyara National Park to observe nocturnal wildlife. &Beyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge is one of the few places in Tanzania where guests can experience night game drives. As the sun sinks over Lake Manyara, the African bush comes to life with predators and other nocturnal creatures. Guests may have the opportunity to encounter fascinating species not normally seen in daylight.
MAASAI VILLAGE VISIT
Experience the unique culture and fascinating way of life of these tribal people. Guests are invited inside the low traditional homes known as enkaji, made using branches and twigs overlaid with a mixture of soil, cow dung and ash. Several enkaji are arranged in a circular fashion around a central livestock pen or kraal. Join in a traditional meal of milk and cow meat or sample other Maasai delicacies. The Maasai women, renowned for their exquisite beaded jewellery, will have a selection of handiworks available for sale.
