Lake Manyara / Mto wa Mbu

Lake Manyara / Mto wa Mbu

Lake Manyara is a shallow soda lake lying at the base of the Western Rift Valley escarpment. Its northwestern lakeshore and surrounding land form Lake Manyara National Park — one of Tanzania’s smaller but most scenic parks. A single day of game drives is enough to explore it, yet the variety of landscapes is striking: savannah, acacia woodland, grassy floodplains, rocky outcrops and tropical rainforest. The park is famous for its birdlife and offers guided walking safaris along the lake shore to hot springs and a flamingo lookout point. Go early in the morning for the best experience. Walking safaris can be arranged at the park gate. (For the best walking safari experience, we recommend Arusha National Park.)

At the park’s entrance lies Mto wa Mbu, a bustling village at the foot of the escarpment. Known for its lively markets and cultural mix, it’s said that more than 120 Tanzanian tribes are represented here.

1. Things to do in Mto wa Mbu
2. Restaurant tips
3. To: Karatu / Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA)
4. To: Serengeti
5. To: Engare Sero (Lake Natron)
6. To: Lake Eyasi
7. To: Tarangire
8. To: Arusha / Kilimanjaro International Airport

• Village tours with the Light of Hope Organisation – Explore on foot, by tuk-tuk, or by bicycle. Visit a Maasai boma, share a local lunch, and discover everyday life. WhatsApp: +255 758 768 522.

• Manyara Painted Maasai Market – Browse colourful art and beadwork. Sellers can be persistent, but it’s a fun place for souvenirs if you enjoy bargaining.

• Banana plantation tour (Red Banana Tours) – Walk through banana groves, learn about farming, visit a Maasai village, taste banana beer, and enjoy a traditional village lunch.

Mto wa Mbu has plenty of small restaurants — perfect for trying Tanzanian food and meeting locals. Expect slower service and don’t rush; things take time here.

• King’s Club, Rex’s, Bamboo Restaurant – Mix of local dishes and options like burgers, pizza and sandwiches.

• Tanzanite Restaurant – Great for Swahili cooking, including fresh fish and seafood.

• The Maasai Restaurant, Gibson’s – Good spots for local dishes.

• Jambo BBQ – Excellent for grilled meat.

• Lilac Café – A cosy place for coffee, smoothies and a light lunch.

• Mto wa Mbu Market food stalls – Sample authentic street food: chipsi mayai (fries with eggs), grilled corn, samosas and more.

Distance & time

• Arusha → Karatu: 35 km | 1 hr
• Karatu → Ngorongoro Conservation Area: 30 km | 1.5 hrs

Route

• Take the B144, a paved road in excellent condition.
• Pass Lake Manyara National Park. The road climbs steeply up the Rift Valley escarpment with sweeping views — look out for baboons!
• After the climb, the road descends into Karatu.
• To continue to NCA: drive west on the B144 into the Ngorongoro Highlands. The road is steep and twisty in sections — take it slow.
• Enter NCA via Loduare Gate. In peak season (Jul–Sep & Dec–Jan), queues can take 30 minutes.

Practical notes

• After the permit check, stop at the viewpoint for photos. You may already spot wildebeest or zebra.
• At the junction:

• • Left → Naabi Hill Gate (Serengeti)

  • Right → descend into the crater for a Crater floor safari

• Watch out for baboons at parking areas! Keep your car locked.

Distance & time

• 200 km | 6–7.5 hrs

Driving times

• Mto wa Mbu → Karatu: 35 km | 1 hr
• Karatu → Loduare Gate: 15 km | 30 min
• Loduare Gate → Crater entrance: 15 km | 1 hr
• Crater entrance → Naabi Hill Gate (Serengeti): 85 km | 2–3 hrs
• Naabi Hill Gate → Seronera (central Serengeti): 60 km | 1 hr

Route

• From Karatu, drive west on the B144 into the Highlands (a steep and twisty, 500 m climb).
• Enter via Loduare Gate, check permits, and stop at the viewpoint.
• Continue straight to the junction:

• • Left → Naabi Hill Gate (Serengeti)

  • Right → Ngorongoro Crater

• From Naabi Hill to Seronera, roads are rocky and badly corrugated. Drive slowly (<25 km/h).

Practical notes

• Peak season queues: 30 min at Ngorongoro gate + 30 min at Serengeti gate.
• The last fuel station before the Serengeti is in Karatu. Emergency fuel is available in Seronera (at higher prices).
• Make sure to keep your car locked around baboons at the gates.
• For travel times inside Serengeti, see the Serengeti section.

Distance & time

• 110 km | 2.5 hrs

Route

• From Mto wa Mbu, head north on Natron Road.
• Pass through the villages of Selela and Engaruka before reaching Engare Sero, the checkpoint for Lake Natron WCA.

On the way

• Enjoy the views of Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano and dusty plains.
• Stop at Maasai bomas for a soda or take in the flamingos at the lake.

Tip

• No fuel stations in Lake Natron, so make sure to top up before leaving.

Distance & time

• 80 km | 2.5 hrs

Route

• From Karatu, continue on the B144 past Lake Manyara NP. The road climbs steeply up the Rift Valley escarpment — keep an eye out for baboons!
• Just after Karatu town, turn left at the junction to Lake Eyasi.
• The dirt road narrows and is rough in places.
• You’ll pass farmland (sunflower, teff) and Maasai herders with cattle.

Distance & time

• 85 km | 2 hrs

Route

• Follow the B144 to Makuyuni (junction with petrol station).
• From here, turn left towards Tarangire Main Gate (signposted, ~40 km).
• If you’re staying outside the park near Sangaiwe Gate:

• • Continue past the main gate on the paved road, parallel to the park boundary (30 km).

  • After Mbuyu Wa Mjerumani village, turn left onto a dirt road to Sangaiwe Gate.

Tip

• There are no fuel stations inside Tarangire NP. Make sure to top up before entering.

Distances

• To Arusha: 110 km | 2.5–3 hrs
• To JRO: 170 km | 3.5–4.5 hrs

Route

• Take the B144 east to Makuyuni.
• At the junction, turn left onto the A104 to Arusha (good paved road, well signposted).
• To continue to JRO: from Arusha, head east on the A23.

Practical notes

• Roads are in excellent condition.
• Allow extra time around Arusha — traffic can be heavy, especially during rush hours.