Mto wa Mbu

Why visit Mto wa Mbu

Mto wa Mbu — Swahili for “river of mosquitoes” — is a busy farming and market town at the foot of the Rift Valley escarpment, right beside the entrance to Lake Manyara National Park. Water from the escarpment springs feeds banana groves, rice paddies and papyrus-lined channels, making it one of the greenest places on the Northern Circuit. That fertile land has drawn people from many of Tanzania's ethnic groups, and the town is known for its remarkable cultural mix.

Mto wa Mbu is not a wildlife destination, but it offers a valuable human side to a safari. Guided village walks or bicycle tours lead through banana and rice farms, to local markets and workshops, and often include a taste of local food or banana beer. Many visitors also stop at the roadside craft market on the way to the parks. A walk here works well as an afternoon activity after a morning game drive in Lake Manyara.

When to go

Mto wa Mbu can be visited at any time of year; the scenery is greenest after the rains. Accommodation ranges from simple guesthouses to comfortable safari lodges and tented camps nearby and on the escarpment above.

It combines naturally with Lake Manyara, Karatu and Tarangire. Ask us to add a village walk to your custom Tanzania safari.