Karatu town, located in the northern highlands of Tanzania, is a small but bustling town that serves as a gateway to some of Tanzania’s most famous national parks. Despite its proximity to these parks, Karatu offers a unique experience of its own, with an abundance of cultural and natural attractions for visitors to enjoy.
From coffee plantations and brick making tours to hikes and visits to local markets, Karatu has something for everyone. The town is also home to a local tribe called the Iraqw, who will offer a glimpse into the culture and history of Tanzania. Whether you’re passing through on your way to a national park or looking to spend a few days exploring the town, Karatu is definitely worth a visit.
Karatu is within the Arusha District. It is best reached by car or bus from Arusha. The 150 km on a decent road will take just over two hours. The international airport for Arusha is Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO), about 45 minutes away from the city.
A cheaper option is to take a bus or dala dala. This can take up to three hours and should be between 5000-7000 Tsh. These can often get crowded and for the cheap price you often miss out on comfort. It is generally advisable to take a bus that arrives before night falls for safety reasons.
If you are willing to splurge a bit more money, a small plane to the Lake Manyara airstrip is also recommendable. Coastal Aviation and Air Excel both fly from Arusha to Manyara for around 100 US$ as a stopover on their way to the Serengeti. Watch out because this flight is most likely leaving from Arusha Airport, a small local airport, rather than Kilimanjaro Airport, which you might have arrived from via an international flight. From the Manyara airstrip, it is about a 30 minute drive to Karatu, either by taxi or through a transfer arranged by us.
Karatu Safari Options
Karatu Hotels and lodges
Lake Eyasi lodges
Lake Eyasi is a distinct, off-the-beaten-path destination combining authentic cultural experiences and stunning landscapes. It is renowned for cultural encounters and wildlife adventures and offers accommodation choices for a cozy and immersive stay. Exploring Lake Eyasi presents many activities, from boat rides and bird watching to learning about local traditions in nearby villages – Hadzabe tribe.
Lake Eyasi’s accommodations are fewer and simpler compared to Serengeti or Ngorongoro, reflecting its remote, cultural focus. Options range from rustic tented camps to mid-range lodges, with no ultra-luxury tier like Singita or Four Seasons. Most sit near the lake’s shores or on gentle slopes, offering views of the water and Rift Valley escarpment, and cater to travelers pairing cultural visits with safaris in nearby parks ( Ngorongoro , Manyara, Tarangire ).
Lake Eyasi’s lodgings are less about safari luxury and more about cultural connection and natural serenity. They lack the high-end sprawl of Serengeti lodges, focusing instead on intimacy and authenticity—think Hadzabe hunts, Datoga crafts, and flamingo flocks over a soda lake that swells or shrinks with the seasons. Most are mid-range or budget, with solar power and local staff enhancing the off-grid feel. They pair well with Ngorongoro or Serengeti itineraries, offering a quieter counterpoint.
THE 10 BEST Lake Eyasi Lodges 2026
Lake Manyara Lodges
Lake Manyara lodges : Lake Manyara National Park is part of the same Northern Tanzania safari circuit as the world-famous Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater. It is often treated as something of a sideshow to these iconic destinations, and many safaris bypass it entirely. But Manyara is a worthwhile addition to any safari itinerary. The setting at the base of the Rift Valley escarpment is truly spectacular. And while wildlife is not as prolific as it is in the Serengeti, you should see elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra and hippo. The park is also famous for its tree-climbing lions, which are occasionally found lounging on suitable branches in umbrella thorn and sausage trees.
The concentrations of game here is not nearly as high as in surrounding parks, but there are a number of unique species that give reason enough to safari here. The park’s main attraction are Lake Manyara’s famous tree climbing lions – why these lions habitually climb trees is still up for debate, but viewing a pride relaxing in an acacia tree is a remarkable sight! The park is also famous for its elephant and huge number of baboons, and its varied landscape supports an impressive range of other game including wildebeest, buffalo, hippo, flamingo, zebra, warthog, waterbuck, dik-dik and impala. The birding here is also very good, especially raptors.
THE 10 BEST Lake Manyara National Park Lodges 2026
Mto wa Mbu lodges
Mto wa Mbu, a vibrant town in northern Tanzania, offers visitors a gateway to many natural and cultural attractions. Africa Safari Camping Mto wa Mbu is one of the famous accommodation options in the area. Whether planning a safari adventure or looking to immerse yourself in the local culture, find the kind of accommodation that best suits you and makes your stay count. Many accommodations near Lake Manyara National Park offer easy access to wildlife experiences and stunning natural beauty.
Mto wa Mbu boasts several high-end hotels and resorts that provide exceptional comfort and luxury. One such luxurious accommodation option is the Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge within Lake Manyara National Park. These establishments often feature spacious rooms or suites with modern amenities, including air conditioning, Wi-Fi, wireless internet connection, and en-suite bathrooms.
In addition, some hotels offer dazzling views of the surrounding scenes or pools where people can lie down and relax. Many luxury hotels at Mto wa Mbu further offer in-house restaurant facilities with various delicacies to indulge in and spa facilities for pampering oneself.
THE 10 BEST Mto wa Mbu Lodges 2026
Ngorongoro lodges
Ngorongoro lodges : A popular stop on Tanzania’s Northern safari circuit, Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest intact caldera (a crater of volcanic origin) and the centerpiece of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA). In addition to being a spectacular scenic phenomenon, the crater supports astonishing quantities of wildlife, including all the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino).
The Ngorongoro Highlands is more about the epic fertile and luscious rolling hills, and traditional Maasai way of life than it is about game. It is not a National Park, and so the standard rules do not apply making way for exciting hiking excursions and exploration. A magnificent part of Tanzania. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area offers a variety of accommodation alternatives, including luxury, public camping areas, exclusive tented camps, and permanent facilities. All of these options aim to provide the tourists with a unique style of spending their time especially at night in the area. Available facilities include hotels, lodges, public campsites and special campsites. Under these categories, services of high quality and competitive standard are offered to hosted clients. These facilities are in line with food services, tourism information, fitness activities and multiple recreational activities available within Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Ngorongoro accommodations fall into two geographic categories. On the forested crater rim, a select handful of luxury lodges and camps offer great views and are convenient for morning game drives. Farther afield, outside the NCA’s eastern boundary, a variety of mostly more affordable accommodations can be found around the town of Karatu.
THE 10 BEST Ngorongoro Crater Lodges 2026
Tarangire lodges
Tarangire lodges : Are you looking for where to stay while in Tanzania ? There is a wide selection of hotels from which to choose that suit all your needs in Tarangire National Park. You can be sure to find amazing deals with discounted rates on any kind of hotel that your heart desires. For your Tarangire park holiday accommodation, there is a selection of safari lodges and tented camps found within the park itself as well as in the areas surrounding it. With a listing of these options of accommodation, plus a handy map, enjoy a great deal of low prices for your comfortable stay while here. The accommodation facilities available range from budget, mid-range to luxury lodges and luxury tented camps so irrespective of your budget, you will surely get a place to stay There are large lodges that are located in obviously prime positions with wonderful views of the park.
Accommodation Amenities offered inTarangire National Park
The type of amenities offered at your accommodation will depend on the type of facilities you will be staying at. At the lavish facilities expect amenities like free WiFi, a swimming pool, fully stocked bar, outdoor dining, library and TV: as well as a number of them offering wheelchair accessibility and kid friendly services. In the budget facilities, on the other hand expect basic amenities. In the evenings after your day’s activities, however, you can spend time in the communal area where guests can gather to share stories of their safari day as they enjoy some nice drink and the warm campfires. Dine either under the stars or in an affectionate dinning tent (but this will depend on the weather). Most camps organize different Tarangire safari activities like game drives, walking safaris and fly camping. You are advised to pre-book especially when you intend to be part of the walking and fly camping. You may incur an extra charge if you are not staying on game package. Inquire if you are not sure about this.
Cost of Accommodation in Tarangire
As earlier mentioned there are different types of facilities available in and around the park and these are offered at different prices as highlighted below. Budget facilities like the Whistling Thorn Tented Camp on average cost about \$153 per person in a Single Midrange accommodation like the Tarangire Sopa Lodge cost on average $450 for a deluxe Luxury accommodation like Tarangire Treetops cost ranges from $750 to $1200 per person when sharing.
THE 10 BEST Tarangire National Park Lodges 2026
Karatu tour Packages
Added By OTR
Added By OTR