Lake Manyara Tree Lodge is one of the most luxurious lodges on the northern circuit, owned and run by &Beyond. Despite the luxury of the lodge it is perhaps one of the least visited, partly due to its location in the quieter area of Lake Manyara and also since Manyara as a destination is overshadowed by the other larger game areas in the north.

Lake Manyara Tree Lodge, the only lodge inside the park, is located in the south of the Lake Manyara National Park, far away from the bottleneck area of the park. This makes the experience of this relatively small park feel quite remote and quiet, however, the drive to the lodge is over two hours so we recommend a stay of two nights plus.

The communal area of Lake Manyara Tree Lodge is on a split level raised platform with simple yet comfortable furnishings and windowless sides giving you a great feel of openness. Meals are taken just below this area, opposite the open kitchen, and, as with all &Beyond properties, there is always a waiter with a gin & tonic near by.

The guest accommodation consists of ten tree house suites built on stilts each with en-suite bathroom, outdoor bathroom areas and a private wooden deck overlooking the forest. Each tree house suite features large windows to invite the lush forest inside. The rooms are fitted with contemporary furnishings in neutral colours and textures. Bedrooms have overhead fans, mosquito nets and earthy, understated features.

The main area at Tree Lodge combines stylish, contemporary design and neutral colours with natural features. Decorated with sophisticated minimalist furniture, soft lighting and well-placed African wood carvings, it features thatched roofs, polished wooden floors and intriguing, giant chains of banana-leaf loops, which link the lodge to the dense surrounding forest.

Split over two levels, this main area is open at the sides and front. On the upper level, large, cosy sofas are positioned around wooden coffee tables dotted with wildlife guides, books about Lake Manyara and a selection of board games. There's a waiter on hand to serve cool drinks or cocktails from the well-stocked bar.

On the ground floor you'll find a spacious dining room and an open-plan kitchen, where you can watch the chefs prepare your meals. There is also a curio shop selling interesting crafts from all over Africa.

The lodge also has a spa and massage house, set in a quiet, raised spot away from the main building. Treatments – at extra cost – are offered by two professional masseuses (so couples can receive treatments together) using Africology products. A one-hour Swedish massage costs roughly US$80 per person. The massage house, which is completely open at the sides and is beautifully airy and relaxing, may also be used for private dinners.

• Game Drives: andBeyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge is the only permanent lodge set in the remote southern region of the reserve, far from the park’s entrance gate. This means that game drives explore areas of the park that cannot be reached by day visitors and your game viewing is unlikely to be disturbed by vehicles from other lodges. Each morning and afternoon you will set off in the company of your guide and tracker team in an open 4x4 safari vehicle with a canvas canopy as protection from the sun. Your guide will help you explore the many diverse habitats of the park, stopping on the lake shore to admire the different bird species and look for pink flamingo. You will traverse a mosaic of acacia woodlands, grassy floodplains and tall forest in search of wildlife, including Manyara’s famous tree-climbing lions and family herds of elephant. You may also choose to go out on a night game drive (available at an additional cost) to discover the nocturnal life of Africa’s predators.
• Explore Lake Manyara by Bicycle: Guests visiting andBeyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge can enjoy a memorable scenic and cultural mountain biking excursion through the nearby Mayoka community, hosted throughout by an expert andBeyond guide. After a quick game drive to Mayoka, located just 4 km (2.5 miles) south of the lodge, you will collect your bicycle and embark a sensational journey. Begin your adventure by travelling through this bustling village and interacting with its friendly people. During your adventure, you might have the opportunity to encounter the nomadic Mang’ati tribe (also known as the Datooga tribe), who are adorned with traditional animal skin cloaks, skirts and colourful beads.
• Night Game Drives: Night game drive in Lake Manyara National Park to observe nocturnal wildlife. andBeyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge is one of the few places in Tanzania where guests can experience night game drives. As the sun sinks over Lake Manyara, the African bush comes to life with predators and other nocturnal creatures. Guests may have the opportunity to encounter fascinating species not normally seen in daylight.
• Maasai Village Visit: Experience the unique culture and fascinating way of life of these tribal people. Guests are invited inside the low traditional homes known as enkaji, made using branches and twigs overlaid with a mixture of soil, cow dung and ash. Several enkaji are arranged in a circular fashion around a central livestock pen or kraal. Join in a traditional meal of milk and cow meat or sample other Maasai delicacies. The Maasai women, renowned for their exquisite beaded jewellery, will have a selection of handiworks available for sale.
• Treetop Walkway: Take to the trees on an unforgettable adventure in Tanzania’s spectacular Lake Manyara National Park. The Treetop Walkway offers a series of suspended bridges, flanked with netting for safety, which snake through a dense forest canopy to various viewing platforms. Reaching heights of up to 18 metres (59 feet), the platforms provide wonderful opportunities to enjoy a unique view of the surrounding wilderness.
• Massage: You are required to create a personal affirmation to reclaim an unconditional acceptance and love for yourself and reconnect with your soul to release all negative energy from deep within. A unique blend of aromatherapy and plant oils chosen specifically by you, combining deep tissue massage techniques to bring relaxation to tired, aching muscles allowing the body and soul to return to perfect equilibrium. Choose from a blend of aromatherapy oils to either destress, hydrate, relax or detox.
• Foundation Community Visit: Visit the Kilimamoja School. Here you will have the opportunity to meet the headmistress of the first school in the district to build fully-equipped science laboratories, funded by the Africa Foundation. Get to meet a few of the students and teachers and explore the school.