Cycling with Kids

Cycling to Lake Manyara
Traveling with a big family can be hectic, but it can also be a lot of fun! All of our kids are active and love being outdoors. We encourage their curious and energetic natures by choosing fun adventures for family excursions in Tanzania. Now that nearly all of us are confident on a bicycle, we rented bikes for the day and cycled to Lake Manyara.

Lake Manyara

Lake Manyara is a large lake located in Northern Tanzania along the Rift Valley Escarpment. It hosts a large population of diverse birdlife and is especially known as a home to flamingos – so much that it looks pink from afar!
A safari in Lake Manyara is sure to provide sightings of tree-climbing lions, zebras, wildebeest, gazelles, elephants, and lots of giraffes. The National Park also offers a new Tree Top Walkway to get even closer to the birds and up, off the ground. Guests trek along a series of suspension bridges for an aerial pathway amongst the trees for a truly unique experience.

Cycling to Lake Manyara

Before I talk up Lake Manyara National Park too much, I need to share that we did not go to Lake Manyara National Park. Instead, we cycled from the small town of Mtu wa Mbu to one side of the lake which is popular with local fisherman, but is not considered to be inside the National Park. We did have to pass a security post and speak to an official at the gate. I showed proof that I am a Tanzanian resident and we were permitted to pass through.

Although it might seem like a far distance from our starting point in Mtu wa Mbu, it was really just a 3 kilometre (approximately 2 miles) ride to reach the lakefront. Most of it was well-shaded with large trees and we saw plenty of monkeys and baboons, as well as birds. I saw a hornbill with a bright red bill for the first time!

Our guide shared that there are several other trails of varying distances from Mtu wa Mbu leading to Lake Manyara. He chose this shorter one because it would be easy enough for our 7 year old to complete – and it was!

We arrived at the lake and the kids immediately made friends with some local fishermen. Mr Mechanic bought three huge fish and organized for one be cooked for our lunch in a few hour’s time.

A safari from a fishing boat!

The kids loaded into two fishing boats and took a ride on the lake (sans life jackets and safety gear, much to my dismay!). Mr Mechanic and I stayed on the shore front with Little Lion. We took a short walk into a grove of beautiful yellow bark acacias and watched baboon families playing in the trees (hence, Little Lion’s favorite word this week is ‘baboon’).

Soon after, the older kids returned safely from their water-excursion, declaring they had seen waterbuck, gazelles, dik diks, zebras and wildebeests all from their boat. They felt like they had a quick safari in the middle of the day, all outside of a safari jeep!

Soon, our lunch was ready. We got back on our bicycles and cycled back through the trees and rice fields to a small, local restaurant where our freshly-caught fish had just been cooked. We feasted on fish stew and coconut rice for a delicious lunch.

Family Travel Ideas

We all had a great time cycling to Lake Manyara and the kids talked about this adventure all week!

I plan to take more bike rides in the Manyara area with the kids. We were a group of 10 which was fun and perfectly organized by our guide. However, I realize not everyone has a big family like us! A group of 3-5 would be just as awesome, and could possibly allow for a longer bike ride.

We topped off the adventure with a freshly-cooked, local lunch with fish from the lake. This adventure could have easily been made into a full excursion, with camping at a great location we know in Mtu wa Mbu and driving through Lake Manyara National Park the next day. Unfortunately, the kids had school the next day. For a budget vacation – especially for families traveling with active kids – this would be a great option to experience Tanzania and make awesome memories.
The little boat trip was a highlight for the kids. I think if we had arrived earlier the boys would have enjoyed learning to fish, as well. There are also options for hiking in the area, birdwatching of course, and a zipline for the adventure-seekers, all located right in Mtu wa Mbu!

Interested in cycling to Lake Manyara? You do not need to plan an extensive day-long safari to enjoy a few hours of fun and enjoy the lake.
Ask me how!

Learn more about Mtu wa Mbu and Lake Manyara National Park here.