5-Star Hotels in Lake Manyara National Park

A thin green ribbon of forest wedged between the sheer 600-meter cliff of the Great Rift Valley and its soda-ash lake, Lake Manyara National Park offers a remarkably compact safari experience. The main draw is its famous tree-climbing lions, often seen lounging in the branches of acacia trees. Driving along the lakeshore track, you'll encounter vast pink clouds of flamingos, herds of elephants moving through the groundwater forest, and troops of baboons along the road to the hot spring known as Maji Moto.

This park is ideal for travelers adding a one or two-night stop between the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti, or for those with limited time. It suits first-time safari-goers and families well due to its manageable size and dense wildlife viewing. Most visitors stay in the nearby town of Mto wa Mbu for budget options or in lodges perched on the Rift Valley escarpment with stunning views, arriving via the well-traveled safari route from Arusha.

Accommodation here ranges from rustic tented camps inside the park to comfortable lodges with infinity pools overlooking the lake. On HOTEVI, you can find the serene Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge built into the hillside, the more intimate Kirurumu Manyara Lodge with its private balconies, and the value-focused Twiga Camp for a classic tented experience.