Lemala Manyara Camp

Lemala Manyara Camp — The Best Spot Inside the Park

Lemala Manyara Camp occupies one of the most beautiful positions on the Northern Circuit: deep inside Lake Manyara National Park, on the edge of acacia woodland overlooking the soda lake, in a virtually tsetse-fly-free corner that other camps in the park cannot claim. The camp's guiding philosophy — described by Africa Discovery as one of the most beautiful spots on the northern circuit — is straightforward: get as close to the wildlife as possible, with as little between you and it as necessary.

The camp is seasonal, operated by Lemala (Tanzania's respected family-owned safari company) on a twice-yearly rotation: November to March inside Lake Manyara National Park, and June to October at their Tarangire location. The November-to-March Manyara season captures the park at its most vibrant — the lake fills with flamingos, the groundwater forest is lush, tree-climbing lions are active in the fig trees, and the area around camp's seasonal waterhole regularly attracts elephant, lion, giraffe and a remarkable array of waterbirds.

Location and Setting

The camp sits among giant fig and acacia trees with all tents facing the lake, constantly cooled by the breeze off the water. The Manyara hot springs — a regular haunt of buffalo and occasionally tree-climbing lions — are easily accessible nearby. The remoteness of this corner of the park means vehicles from other lodges rarely penetrate this far: game drives feel genuinely private. Sundowners are served on the lakeshore as the sun sets over the Rift Valley Escarpment behind camp — one of the finest daily rituals on the Northern Circuit.

Accommodation

Nine tented suites — eight classic tents and one family tent — are traditionally styled with antique safari furniture, handwoven textiles and classic design. Each tent has 24-hour solar lighting, flush toilet and proper safari shower. The family tent accommodates two adults and two to three children, with each person having their own sleeping space. Communal dining is by candlelight, with menus that reflect the quality Lemala maintains across all its properties. Night drives and optional walks are available in addition to the standard morning and afternoon game drives.

Who Is Lemala Manyara Best For?

This is the camp for travellers who want to actually sleep inside Lake Manyara National Park — not on the escarpment above it. The lakeshore position, the private corner of the park, the tsetse-free setting, and the night drives (exclusive to camps inside the park with special permits) create a Manyara experience that escarpment lodges simply cannot match. It is particularly recommended for birders (the camp's location is exceptional for waterbird and forest species), for wildlife enthusiasts who want to maximise time inside the park, and for couples who want the romance of candlelit lakeshore sundowners in complete seclusion.