Mobile ad hoc network (MANET) is an ad hoc network system. MANET is a self-configuring network of mobile routers connected by wireless links with no access point. However, routing problems like high message latency, frequent route interruptions, and irregular energy consumption continue to affect network performance. In order to find a secure optimal path for MANET routing, a novel seCure African vultuRe-based netwoRk rOuTing (CARROT) technique has been proposed. The process of choosing the optimal inputs to produce the highest or lowest output at the lowest feasible cost is known as optimization. The African Vulture Optimization Algorithm can achieve faster routing convergence and a far better distribution of solutions. The NS2 simulator has been used to test the suggested methodology. The proposed method's effectiveness is measured through performance indicators like packet delivery ratio, network delay, energy efficiency and throughput. The observational findings shows that the CARROT achieves an end-to-end delay of 1.5 sec, whereas existing OFC-TR, SN-TOCRP and RRCSTON technique achieves 2.0s, 3.5s and 4.2s, respectively