Lake Manyara Airport (IATA code LKY) is a small airstrip on top of the Rift Valley escarpment above Mto wa Mbu, close to the entrance of Lake Manyara National Park. Light aircraft from Arusha, Kilimanjaro, the Serengeti and Zanzibar land here, which makes it the quickest way to reach Lake Manyara, Karatu and the Ngorongoro Crater without a long drive from Arusha. From the airstrip, most Karatu lodges are only 30 to 45 minutes away.
This guide explains which flights use the airstrip, what to expect on arrival, luggage rules and how to get from the airstrip to your lodge.
Lake Manyara Airport at a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Codes | IATA: LKY, ICAO: HTLM |
| Location | On the escarpment above Mto wa Mbu, near the Lake Manyara National Park gate |
| Type | Airstrip for light aircraft such as Cessna Caravans and Twin Otters |
| Airlines | Scheduled and charter flights by safari airlines such as Coastal Aviation and Auric Air |
| Luggage | Usually 15 kg per person including hand luggage, in soft bags |
| To Karatu | About 30 to 45 minutes by road |
| To Ngorongoro Crater floor | About 1.5 to 2 hours by road |
Flights to Lake Manyara
Safari airlines run scheduled shuttle flights that stop at Lake Manyara on circuits linking Arusha Airport, Kilimanjaro International Airport, the Serengeti airstrips and sometimes Zanzibar. Flights from Arusha are short, often under half an hour. Flights from the Serengeti usually make one or two stops at other airstrips along the way.
Schedules change by season, and some routes run only on request, so your safari operator or lodge will book the right connection for your plans.
Popular ways to use the airstrip
- Fly in from Arusha or Kilimanjaro to skip the 2.5 to 3-hour drive to Karatu, then do the crater and Manyara by road.
- Fly out to the Serengeti after the crater, avoiding the five to six-hour drive.
- Fly from the Serengeti to Manyara at the end of a safari, then spend a few relaxed nights in Karatu.
- Fly from Zanzibar to start a bush-and-beach trip in reverse.
Typical flight times
| Route | Approximate flying time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Arusha (ARK) to Lake Manyara | About 20 to 30 minutes | The most common route |
| Kilimanjaro (JRO) to Lake Manyara | About 40 to 60 minutes | Often via Arusha |
| Serengeti (Seronera) to Lake Manyara | About 45 to 75 minutes | Often with a stop at another airstrip |
| Zanzibar to Lake Manyara | About 2 to 3 hours | Usually with stops; check schedules |
Times are flying times only. Shuttle flights may stop at other airstrips to drop off or collect passengers, so total journey times can be longer.
Flying vs driving: cost and time
The drive from Arusha to Karatu takes about 2.5 to 3 hours; the flight to Lake Manyara takes about half an hour plus a 30 to 45-minute transfer. Flights cost more per person than road transfers, and luggage is limited, but they save a long day on the road and can be worth it on a short safari or at the end of a trip, when nobody wants another long drive. If your safari vehicle and guide are already with you, driving lets you stop in Tarangire, Mto wa Mbu or Lake Manyara along the way.
If your flight is delayed
Bush flights are usually reliable, but weather, other stops and aircraft changes can cause delays. Keep your guide’s or lodge’s phone number handy, carry water and a snack, and avoid planning tight connections on the same day as a long-haul international flight.
Luggage rules for light aircraft
Small planes have strict weight and space limits. The usual rule is 15 kg per person, including hand luggage and camera gear, in soft-sided bags without wheels or rigid frames. Hard suitcases may not fit in the hold. Some airlines let you buy an extra seat for more luggage, and many Arusha hotels store spare bags until you return.
- Use a soft duffel bag.
- Keep valuables, medication and camera batteries in your hand luggage.
- Weigh your bags before you travel; you will be weighed with them at some airstrips.
- Normal liquid rules for hand luggage still apply on most flights.
What to expect on arrival
Lake Manyara Airport is a simple bush airstrip. There is a small shelter, but do not expect shops, cafés or ATMs. Your driver-guide or lodge transfer will meet you as the plane lands. Flights can be early or late depending on other stops, so build some slack into your plans.
From the airstrip, the road runs along the escarpment to Karatu. On a clear day you can see the lake below and, as you climb, the green slopes of the Ngorongoro highlands ahead.
Getting from Lake Manyara Airport to your lodge
- Karatu lodges: 30 to 45 minutes.
- Lake Manyara National Park gate: a few minutes.
- Mto wa Mbu: a short drive down the escarpment.
- Crater rim lodges: about 1.5 hours via Lodoare Gate.
Our lodge, The Retreat at Ngorongoro, is in the Tloma area of Karatu, 30 to 45 minutes from the airstrip and 20 to 30 minutes from the Ngorongoro gate. We can arrange airstrip transfers for guests travelling without a safari vehicle. See directions and drive times.
Fly-in or drive-in?
Flying saves time and long road days but costs more and limits luggage. Driving lets you stop at Mto wa Mbu, Lake Manyara or Tarangire on the way, and your guide stays with you throughout. Many travellers combine both: drive from Arusha through Tarangire and Manyara to Karatu, then fly out of the Serengeti at the end.
For a full guide to the region, read our Lake Manyara National Park guide or the Arusha to Karatu drive.
Questions about Lake Manyara Airport
What is the airport code for Lake Manyara?
The IATA code is LKY and the ICAO code is HTLM.
Which airlines fly to Lake Manyara?
Safari airlines such as Coastal Aviation and Auric Air run scheduled and charter flights. Routes and schedules vary by season.
How far is Lake Manyara Airport from Karatu?
About 30 to 45 minutes by road.
What is the luggage limit on flights to Lake Manyara?
Usually 15 kg per person including hand luggage, in soft bags without wheels.
Flying in for the crater? Check availability and ask us about airstrip transfers.
