Off-road Game Drives in open 4x4 safari vehicles
Game driving in Manyara Ranch Conservancy allows us to leave the established tracks and roads to reach more remote areas. Such off-road driving is carefully monitored to ensure the area does not suffer damage as a result. We provide all-inclusive Game Package options for those who do not have their own vehicle.
Night Game Drives
Late afternoon game drives can extend into the night after a sundowner in the bush. Night drives enable visitors to see nocturnal game rarely seen during the day. Spotlights are used by our trained guides in a manner that ensures animals are not disturbed.
Escorted Walking Safaris
Our experienced, armed guides will take those interested in exploring the Conservancy for game walks from camp or while out on a game drive.
Horse Riding Safaris
Well-trained safari horses are available to explore the Conservancy and surrounding village areas. There being few stones or holes in the area and plenty of game, this is a wonderful area for horse safaris. Day and multi day rides with fly camps will be lead by our skilled equestrian guides. Horse riding safaris can only be booked by experienced riders.
Maasai Cultural Visits
Neighboring communities are an integral part of the Tanzania Land Conservation Trust (TLCT) who owns Manyara Ranch. These communities benefit directly from all visitors to the Conservancy in exchange for their having set aside the land for protection of habitat and wildlife. The Maasai are pastoralists with a rich cultural heritage. Guests will have the opportunity to visit nearby villages to learn about Maasai culture, issues that affect the people and how the Conservancy is helping to improve their lives.
Local School Visit
The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) recently relocated the primary boarding school previously situated in the heart of the Conservancy. The school is now outside the Conservancy with easier access to main roads and villages. The school was built with donor funds and now provides a much higher standard of facilities than previously. The move also reduces human pressure from within the Conservancy.
Day Trips to Tarangire, Manyara and Ngorongoro
Tarangire and Manyara parks are located either side of Manyara Ranch Conservancy a short drive from our luxury, tented camp. The Conservancy is an excellent place from where to visit these parks on day trips without having to relocate to a new camp or lodge. An ideal stay would be for guests to spend a few nights within the Conservancy with day trips to the nearby parks.
Fly Camping
Fly Camps are available for use by guests who stay at least 3 nights in the Conservancy. These fly camps are ideal for extended walking trips and horse safaris and for those who want to experience nights out under the stars in the heart of the bush with a bedroll and simple cover.
Visits to the Manyara Ranch Cattle Operations
The cattle enterprise on Manyara Ranch is managed by The Tanzania Land Conservation Trust (TLCT) and supported by the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF). They provide an insight into the importance of cattle to the Tanzanian economy and the local pastoralist community. TLCT and AWF promote the improvement of cattle stock and use advanced breeding techniques aimed at producing a better quality of cattle for local markets. Feeding stations and a newly constructed market, both outside of the ranch area, are used for educational purposes to raise awareness within the pastoralist community. The project also helps in protecting the lion population. If a local pastoralist loses a cow to lions, AWF will give them a calf. The hope is that this will discourage the killing of lions by pastoralists in the future. Guests may visit the cattle enterprise and join the Maasai herders with their cattle.
Bush breakfasts, Lunches, Sundowners and Dinners under the Stars
An important part of the Manyara Ranch Conservancy experience is to leave your vehicle and explore the wilderness on foot. To support this concept, we also provide outdoor dining and sundowners at specially chosen locations.
Game Viewing from Hides
A number of hides have been established where visitors may wait unseen for game to come to drink or gather at a saltlick. There are also some sites that are frequented by leopard.
Traditional Medicines
Traditional medicines play an important role in Tanzanian culture. Most ingredients are sourced in the wilderness. We offer walks with traditional healers who will explain the medicinal values of the indigenous plants.
Indigenous Tree Nursery
To make way for cattle, much of the woodland on the ranch was lost over the years. This coupled with demand for charcoal, resulted in the ranch losing a good deal of its indigenous tree cover. Re-growth is rapidly taking place with the support of an indigenous tree nursery and hardwoods center on the ranch. This is operated by the TLCT and AWF. The local plant ecologist offers interesting insights into the values of the trees and efforts being made for their re-introduction to the Conservancy and neighboring villages.
