Bustling with a variety of cultures from around Tanzania, the little town of Mto Wa Mbu lies at the entrance to Lake Manyara National Park. A local agricultural hub, the town is famous for its crops of rice and the distinctive red bananas that Tanzania is known for. A half-day tour of the town in the company of a local guide gives travellers the opportunity to interact with local farmers, as well as artisans, craftsmen and painters. A sampling of the local banana beer adds a unique taste of local flavour.

This cross-cultural melting pot is home to approximately 120 tribes. A bustling, thriving village, it is fascinating to hear the colourful blend of languages and witness first-hand the unique customs. Cultural diversity is seen in the various entrepreneurial ways including a farmer from Kigoma producing palm oil from palm trees that he purchased from the shores of Lake Tanganyika, and the Rangi creating colourful, beautiful mats and baskets using papyrus from the lakes and rivers.

Guests at &Beyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge can enjoy a scenic guided bike ride through the Mayoka community. Drive to Mayoka to collect your bicycle and begin. Cycle through this bustling village and interact with the friendly people, including the nomadic Mang’ati tribe, adorned with traditional animal skin cloaks, skirts and colourful beads. A picturesque bike ride brings you to the lakeshore, where you can admire bright pink flocks of flamingos. If the birds are close enough, put on some gumboots and walk out to observe and photograph them. All proceeds go directly to the Mayoka community.

Lake Manyara is mostly well-known for its huge flocks of flamingos and its tree-climbing lions, but there’s much more that makes it well worth a visit. Not far from the Ngorongoro Crater on the shores of Lake Manyara, is a belt of precious wilderness reserve some 100 km long that provides sanctuary for an abundance of pink flamingos which feed in the shallows of the lake, as well as tree-climbing lions, giant elephants, gentle giraffes, proud buffalos and herds of graceful antelope

Mini Rangers' Course:   Our exciting Mini Rangers’ Course opens up a whole new world to young explorers. This programme includes: tracking animals; a cosmic safari (astronomy); learning bush survival techniques; flower-pressing (in summer); frogging; butterfly capture and release; game, tree and bird-spotting competitions; nature quizzes and a Ranger’s test. Upon completion of the course, these proud achievers are awarded a certificate to recognize their new-found knowledge and accomplishments.

• Archery

• Baking with chefs (pizza/cookie making)

• Arts and crafts

• Board games

• Astronomy and stargazing

• Bush walks around camp

• Mountain biking for older children

East Africa is equatorial so the climate is fairly constant and it is a year-round destination. Tanzania has a light rain season from November to March. This period is known as the ‘short rains’, often no more than a quick downpour each day, followed by clear sunshine.

From December to March the weather becomes increasingly warmer with the ‘long rains’ occurring between April and May.

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The lodge is in a malarial zone so it is essential to consider taking appropriate prophylactics.

We recommend that you adhere to the advice of your doctor regarding prophylactics. Insect repellent (spray or wipes), is provided in your suite and on game drive vehicles.

Vaccinations: Guests are strongly advised to check the latest information with regard to vaccinations for Travel to Tanzania with their local travel clinic or travel agent.

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With names like Judgement Day, The Terminator and Stairway to Heaven, the rapids on the mighty Zambezi River are guaranteed to offer one of the greatest white water rafting experiences on the planet. Just downriver of the plunging torrent of the Victoria Falls, the rushing waters of the Zambezi are compressed between the rocky walls of Batoka Gorge, resulting in some of the best white water action in the world. Descend deep into the craggy canyon and hang on for a wild ride as you set off on a fully guided river rafting adventure in the domain of the river god Nyaminyami.

Despite its name, which means “abode of peace” in Arabic, Dar es Salaam is Tanzania’s largest and busiest city. It is the country’s most important business and commercial hub and is situated right on the Indian Ocean. Dar es Salaam is the main port of call for most visitors, as it is an ideal location from which to access both the wilderness areas and the beaches of Tanzania and Zanzibar.

The Ngorongoro Crater in Northern Tanzania, once a gigantic volcano, is the largest intact caldera in the world. Some maintain that before it erupted, it would have been higher than Mt Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa. Today, long since having collapsed and eroded, it is an extensive highland area with the famous 600 m deep Ngorongoro Crater as its focal point. Nearly three million years old, the ancient caldera shelters one of the most beautiful wildlife havens on earth.

The attractive little town of Arusha is situated beneath the towering peaks of Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro. Renowned as the safari capital of Tanzania, it offers a plethora of attractions and adventures. The town has numerous first-class restaurants, bars and markets, and is the ideal place to spend a few relaxing days before embarking on a safari or attempting to scale Kilimanjaro. Highlights include the Arusha National Park in Ngurdoto Crater, the National Natural History Museum and the ancient Laetoli Footprint, set in volcanic ash, as well as the beautiful coffee plantations that dot the landscape.