Nyota Rift Valley

Nyota Rift Valley Lodge sits high on the Rift Valley escarpment, looking down over Lake Manyara and the valley floor. The elevated position brings cool breezes, open skies and light that shifts across the valley from early morning to sunset. The lodge stands near the village of ChemChem, at the top of the escarpment between Mto wa Mbu and Karatu, with Lake Manyara airstrip about 15 minutes away. That placement makes it a practical base for Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire and Lake Manyara without the feel of a transit stop. The 16 guest cottages are built from natural materials with simple, tasteful interiors. Each has a large bed under a mosquito net and a high end ensuite with both an indoor shower and a bathtub, plus an outdoor shower. Outlooks vary by cottage: some face Lake Manyara directly, some overlook the gardens, others take in partial lake views. Lush gardens of indigenous planting surround the buildings, bringing scent, colour and a lot of birdlife. The restaurant opens from an indoor dining area onto a verandah for dining under the stars, serving buffet or family style with Western and Swahili dishes drawn from fresh local produce, much of it from the market at Mto wa Mbu. Live cooking runs on selected evenings. A lounge and bar with a library and board games, plus a swimming pool with poolside bar and valley views, complete the public spaces.