Getting to Lake Manyara
The main gate of Lake Manyara National Park is at Mto wa Mbu, at the foot of the Rift Valley wall. Most visitors reach it by road from Arusha. The distance is about 115 to 125 kilometres, depending on where you measure from, and the drive takes roughly 2 to 2.5 hours on asphalt, while the bus takes about 2 hours. Treat these as rough times, not as a promise.
The Manyara airstrip offers transfers to the gate. Works on the airport are planned for 2026, so ask before you plan a flight around it.
If you do not want to organise the road yourself, a guided Lake Manyara day trip from Arusha usually includes the drive and park entry arrangements. Check the details before you book.
Our pick: a safari that starts in Zanzibar
Return flights between Zanzibar and Arusha are part of this trip, with private hotel transfers.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Lake Manyara trips with transfers
Guided trips to Lake Manyara with pickup and drive, with live prices and availability.
Arusha to Lake Manyara by road
One main route.
From Arusha the road runs west to Makuyuni, where it turns onto the road to the Ngorongoro area. From Makuyuni to Mto wa Mbu is roughly 35 to 45 kilometres. The park gate is in Mto wa Mbu itself.
By car or with a driver
Allow the full 2.5 hours and a margin. Ask your operator about the road and stops on your day.
By public bus
Buses leave from the main bus station in Arusha, with a journey of about 2 hours. Fares are around TZS 5,000 to 7,000. Timetables and prices change, so ask for the current fare and timetable. The bus drops you in Mto wa Mbu, not at a game drive.
With a safari
Safari trips to the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti often pass Lake Manyara on the way. For that route, see the guide from Arusha to Ngorongoro.
Lake Manyara airport and the airstrip
On the wall above the park.
The airstrip sits on the Rift Valley wall above the park. Scheduled and charter flights have served the airstrip, with transfers from it to the gate. Flight days, flight times from Arusha and prices change, so ask your operator or the airline.
Rehabilitation and expansion works at the airport are planned for 2026. That does not mean the airstrip is closed, and it does not mean flights run without change. Ask for the current situation before you book a flight, and keep a road plan as a backup.
| Option | Time from Arusha | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Road with driver | About 2 to 2.5 hours | Flexible stops and the simplest plan |
| Public bus | About 2 hours | Budget travel to Mto wa Mbu |
| Safari transfer | Part of the trip | Visitors who want one booking |
| Airstrip | Ask the airline | Visitors on a fly-in itinerary, with a road backup |
For most visitors, the road from Arusha is the simplest and most predictable choice.
Arusha to Lake Manyara: before you set off
Practical checks.
Plan for the gate
The gate closes at 6 p.m., so plan to be out by then. Ask your guide or operator about opening hours.
Pay for the park
The park accepts card payments at the gate, mobile money and online reservation. See the park fees page for the details.
Start early
An early start gives more time in the park and lets you reach the gate with room to spare.
Airports
For flights into northern Tanzania, see the Arusha airport guide.
Entering Tanzania in 2026
The short version.
Visa
The ordinary eVisa costs $50 and allows up to 90 days. US tourists can get a multiple-entry visa for $100. Rules depend on your nationality, so check your own entry requirements before you travel.
Insurance
Since October 2026, travel insurance is required for the mainland as well, at $44 per person for up to 92 days, with an exception for holders of Tanzanian residence permits. Check the current rules before you fly.
Yellow fever
Proof of vaccination is asked for visitors who arrive from countries with a risk of yellow fever. Check the rules for your route.
More at Lake Manyara
Pages that go with the journey.
Getting to Lake Manyara: frequently asked questions
How far is Lake Manyara from Arusha?
About 115 to 125 kilometres, depending on the starting point. The drive takes roughly 2 to 2.5 hours on asphalt.
Can I take a bus to Lake Manyara?
Yes. Public buses run from the main bus station in Arusha to Mto wa Mbu in about 2 hours. Fares are around TZS 5,000 to 7,000, so ask for the current fare.
Can I fly to Lake Manyara?
The Manyara airstrip offers transfers to the gate. Works on the airport are planned for 2026, so ask your operator or airline about current flights.
Do I need a visa for Tanzania?
Many visitors do. The ordinary eVisa costs $50 and allows up to 90 days. Check the rules for your nationality.
Is travel insurance required?
Since October 2026 insurance is required for the mainland, at $44 per person for up to 92 days. There is an exception for holders of Tanzanian residence permits.
Is this the official website of the park?
No. This is a visitor guide that is not run by TANAPA or the park. Ask the park or your operator for current rules and times.