Where to stay near Lake Manyara
There are three main areas to sleep. The park itself offers a small number of places to stay, and capacity there is limited. The village of Mto wa Mbu sits next to the main entrance at the foot of the Rift Valley wall. Karatu lies further on, on the way to the Ngorongoro Crater.
This page describes areas, not individual properties. It does not name lodges and does not rank them. Check what each place includes, where the park gate is from there and what the nightly price covers, then book with the operator or property directly.
If you travel on a day trip or a safari, your operator usually picks the base. Look at the Lake Manyara safari page to see what the trips include before you decide where to sleep.
Our pick: a safari with lodge nights
A three-day safari sleeping in lodges on full board, with park fees included.
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 safaris and day trips
Guided drives with live prices and availability. Many include pickup, so you can base yourself where it suits you.
Lake Manyara lodges and camps by area
What each location changes for you.
Inside the park
Sleeping inside the park puts you next to the game drives and saves the daily trip in. Capacity is small, so book early. Park entry and overnight permits are charged on top of the room, see the park fees page.
Mto wa Mbu
The village lies close to the main entrance, at the foot of the wall. It is a practical base for an early drive, with a market and village programmes within reach. Read more on the Mto wa Mbu page.
On the wall above the park
Places on the Rift Valley wall trade a longer drive down to the gate for views over the lake and forest. Ask how long the drive to the entrance takes.
Karatu
Karatu lies outside the park on the road to Ngorongoro. It suits a route that continues to the crater the next day. The Ngorongoro guide to Karatu describes the town.
Lake Manyara hotel or camp: which fits your trip
Choose by plan, not by name.
| Area | Good for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Inside the park | Early starts and the shortest transfer to game drives | Small capacity and extra park charges |
| Mto wa Mbu | A practical base and village visits | Check the distance to the gate |
| On the wall above | Views over the lake | A longer drive to the entrance |
| Karatu | Continuing to Ngorongoro | A longer drive to Lake Manyara |
For most visitors with only one night, Mto wa Mbu or a place on the wall gives the simplest start. If Lake Manyara is one stop among several parks, choose the area that matches your next day.
Park cottages and hostel
Simple rooms for organised groups.
The park has cottages and a hostel inside Lake Manyara National Park. They are aimed at organised groups and need reservation in advance. The 2023/24 tariff set the cottages at TZS 15,000 per person and night for East African visitors and $30 for other visitors, and the hostel at TZS 5,000 and $10. These are earlier amounts, so confirm the current ones before you book, and ask whether they include tax.
Do not assume a room is free on your dates. Ask the park or your operator whether space is available.
How to choose and book
A few checks before you pay.
Distance to the gate
Ask how long the drive from the property to the entrance takes in the morning.
What is included
Check meals, transfers and whether park fees are part of a safari price or separate.
Park fees
Park entry is charged separately from accommodation unless your package states otherwise.
Combine with the route
If you go on to Tarangire, see the Tarangire lodges guide for the area around that park.
More at Lake Manyara
Pages for planning the stay.
Lake Manyara lodges: frequently asked questions
Can I stay inside Lake Manyara National Park?
Yes, there are places to stay inside the park, but capacity is limited. Book early and ask about park charges.
Where should I base myself?
It depends on your route. Mto wa Mbu is close to the main gate, places on the wall give views, and Karatu fits a continuation to Ngorongoro.
Do you recommend a lodge?
No. This page describes areas and what each location changes. Compare the places yourself and check what is included.
Are park fees included in the room price?
Usually not. Park entry is charged separately unless your package says it is included.
Can I book park cottages for myself?
The cottages and hostel are meant for organised groups with advance reservation. Ask the park whether they can take individual guests.
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 the property for current rates.