Mto wa Mbu Village & Bike Tour
A guided tour of Mto wa Mbu, the busy market town below the Rift Valley escarpment on the road to Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater, by bicycle or on foot, with a local lunch.
The Town Every Safari Passes Through
Almost every safari in northern Tanzania drives through Mto wa Mbu, but few stop. The town sits on fertile ground fed by streams from the escarpment, and people from many parts of Tanzania have settled here to farm. With a guide who grew up in the village, you cycle on quiet paths between banana groves and irrigated rice fields, see how bananas are grown and turned into food and drink, visit craft workshops and the market, and stop for a home-cooked lunch.
The tour can be added to any safari that passes Mto wa Mbu, usually on the way to or from Lake Manyara, or booked as a day trip from Arusha. Walking is possible instead of cycling, and the pace is easy.
Combine it with Lake Manyara: see the 2-Day Lake Manyara & Ngorongoro Safari →
Highlights
- Easy cycling on village paths with a local guide
- Banana groves and irrigated rice fields below the escarpment
- Craft workshops and the local market
- A home-cooked lunch
- As an add-on to a safari or a day trip from Arusha
What to bring
- Comfortable clothes and closed shoes
- Sun hat, sun cream and water
- Small notes for crafts or banana snacks
- Ask before taking photos
Nearby: Lake Manyara National Park
Route Map
- By road
- Day of the trip
- Arusha
Lines show the order of travel, not the exact roads.
On a safari, your driver-guide drops you in the village, usually on the way to Lake Manyara. On the day trip, we collect you in Arusha at about 8 am and drive about two hours west. You meet your local guide and choose a bicycle, or decide to walk.
You ride out of town on quiet paths through banana groves and rice paddies watered by streams from the escarpment. Your guide explains how families farm here and how bananas are used for food and for a local brew.
Back in town you visit woodcarvers and painters at work and walk through the market, with time to buy crafts directly from the makers.
A local lunch in the village, then you continue your safari, or drive back to Arusha on the day trip, arriving in the afternoon.
Meals: Lunch
Price Per Person
| Option | 1 Person | 2 People | 3 People | 4 People | 5 People | 6 People |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Add-on on a safariIn Mto wa Mbu | $40 | $40 | $40 | $40 | $40 | $40 |
| Day trip from ArushaPrivate vehicle | $260 | $150 | $115 | $95 | $85 | $80 |
Price per person in US dollars, by the number of people in your group. The add-on price applies when the tour is part of one of our safaris passing Mto wa Mbu. Groups of more than 6: price on request.
Trip Notes
- About 3 hours in the village
- By bicycle or on foot, at an easy pace
- Private tour: your group only
- Day trip from Arusha: about 8 hours in total
Includes
- Local guide from Mto wa Mbu
- Bicycle hire
- Village fees
- Home-cooked lunch and drinking water
- Day trip only: private vehicle with driver from and to Arusha
Excludes
- Other drinks
- Crafts you choose to buy
- Tips for your guides
- Travel insurance
- Tanzania's compulsory inbound travel insurance for foreign visitors (44 US dollars per person, from 1 October 2026)
Questions Travellers Ask
Do I need to be a good cyclist?
No. The paths are mostly flat and the pace is easy. If you prefer, you can walk the same route with your guide.
How do I add it to my safari?
Tell us when you book. It fits best on the way to or from Lake Manyara or the Ngorongoro Crater, and adds about three hours to that day.
What makes Mto wa Mbu interesting?
It is a farming town where people from many parts of Tanzania have settled, so you see a mix of cultures, crops and crafts in one place, right below the Rift Valley escarpment.
Can children join?
Yes. Children's bikes are not always available, so younger children may walk or ride with a parent's help; tell us their ages.
Is lunch vegetarian-friendly?
Yes. Tell us about any dietary needs and the cook will prepare a suitable meal.
