LKY · medium airport

Lake Manyara Airport

Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania

Airports

LKYmedium airport

Lake Manyara Airport

Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania

Explore Lake Manyara National Park city guide Navigate to this airport

Routes out

Destinations

HTLM

ICAO

4150 ft

Elevation

TravelerPulse profile

Gateway to Tanzania's iconic rift valley safari destination.

Location

Lake Manyara, Tanzania

Lake Manyara Airport (IATA: LKY, ICAO: HTLM) is a small regional airstrip located near Lake Manyara National Park in northern Tanzania. It serves as an important access point for safari travelers visiting the park, known for its tree-climbing lions, large elephant herds, and diverse birdlife along the alkaline lake shore. The airport is a simple facility catering primarily to light charter aircraft and small scheduled flights connecting it to other northern Tanzania safari circuits, including the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Kilimanjaro. It plays a key role in Tanzania's northern safari tourism network. Operations at Lake Manyara Airport are modest in scale, reflecting the remote and conservation-focused nature of the surrounding area. The airstrip supports tourism-oriented aviation rather than commercial passenger services.

Terminals

The airport has a single basic terminal building suited for small volumes of safari and charter passengers.

Getting to & from

Ground transport to nearby lodges and the national park gate is typically arranged through safari operators and tour companies using 4WD vehicles.

Airlines here

Charter operators and small regional carriers such as Coastal Aviation and Auric Air provide scheduled and charter services connecting to Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Serengeti, and Zanzibar.

Notable facts

›Located approximately 126 kilometers west of Arusha city.
›The airport primarily serves safari tourism traffic rather than general commercial aviation.
›Lake Manyara National Park, near the airport, is famed for its tree-climbing lions and flamingo-lined shores.
›The airstrip is part of the northern Tanzania safari circuit connecting major wildlife areas.
›Runway conditions and facilities are basic, suited for light aircraft and small turboprops.

Wikipedia

This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.

Gateway to flamingos, wildlife, and Tanzania's breathtaking Rift Valley

Lake Manyara Airport is a small bush airstrip serving the Lake Manyara National Park area in northern Tanzania, a key stop on the classic northern safari circuit. It connects wildlife enthusiasts to one of East Africa's most scenic parks, famous for its tree-climbing lions, vast flamingo flocks, and dramatic escarpment backdrop. The airport primarily handles light charter and scheduled bush flights linking Arusha, Serengeti, and other safari destinations.

Terminals

Main Airstrip Terminal — A compact open-air bush terminal facility handling arrivals and departures for safari charter and scheduled light aircraft operations.

Ground Transport

Safari lodge and camp transfers arranged by accommodation providers
Private safari vehicle hire through local tour operators
4x4 taxi services to Mto wa Mbu town
Road transfer to Arusha (approximately 2 hours)

Nearby Hotels

Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge
Manyara Ranch Conservancy
Kirurumu Manyara Lodge
Lake Manyara Hotel
Chem Chem Lodge

Dining

Dining at Lake Manyara Airport itself is extremely limited, with no formal restaurant facilities at the airstrip. Most travellers eat at their safari lodges before or after flights, where full board meals featuring local and international cuisine are standard. The nearby town of Mto wa Mbu offers small local eateries serving traditional Tanzanian dishes such as ugali, nyama choma, and fresh fruit.

Traveller Tips

Confirm your charter flight details directly with your operator as schedules can change due to weather or park conditions.
Luggage on bush flights is strictly limited — typically 15 kg in a soft-sided bag, so pack accordingly.
Arrive early as the airstrip can be busy during peak safari season from June to October.
Carry US dollars in small denominations for tips and any incidental purchases at Mto wa Mbu market.

AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.

Airlines serving this airport

No scheduled airline data available.

Routes

No route data available.

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