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Tanzania · National Parks
Lake Manyara National Park
Groundwater forest, a shimmering soda lake and lions that climb trees, beneath the walls of the Rift Valley.
Location
Northern Tanzania
Park size
About 330 km²
Best time
June to October
Ideal stay
One night
The park
Forest, lake and escarpment
Lake Manyara National Park stretches along the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, about two hours west of Arusha. In a small area it packs in an astonishing range of habitats: lush groundwater forest, acacia woodland, open grassland and the shores of a shallow soda lake.
The park is famous for lions that sometimes rest in the branches of acacia trees, though this behaviour is never guaranteed. Large troops of baboons, elephants, giraffes and hippos are common, and the lake attracts pelicans, storks and, at times, flamingos.
Manyara is an easy first stop on a northern Tanzania safari, before the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti, and pairs well with Tarangire.
Places your guide will show you
Groundwater forestMaji Moto hot springsRift Valley escarpmentHippo poolMto wa MbuLake shore
Famous for
Lions that rest in trees
Wildlife
Who you will meet
A compact park with a surprising variety of wildlife and birds.
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01
Lion
Known for sometimes climbing and resting in acacia trees.
02
Elephant
Herds move between the forest and the lake shore.
03
Baboon
Large troops live in the groundwater forest.
04
Hippo
Gather at the hippo pool near the lake.
05
Giraffe
Browse the acacia woodland along the park road.
06
Flamingos
Visit the lake when water levels suit them.
Experiences
More than game drives
Manyara’s small size makes it ideal for a half-day or full-day visit.
Game drives
Drive from forest to lake shore with your driver-guide.
Maji Moto hot springs
Visit the hot springs at the southern end of the park.
Birdwatching
Over 400 species recorded, from hornbills to pelicans.
Mto wa Mbu village
Explore a lively village with markets and banana farms.
Primate photography
Watch baboon troops and blue monkeys in the forest.
Escarpment views
Look out over the lake from lodges on the Rift Valley rim.
When to visit
The best time for Lake Manyara
Lake Manyara is good all year. The dry season brings easier game viewing, the wet season more birds.
Jan – Mar
Warm and green
Good game viewing, green landscapes and fewer visitors.
Apr – May
Long rains
Lush and quiet, with lower rates and muddy tracks.
Jun – Oct
Peak season
Dry season
Animals gather near water, making sightings easy.
Nov – Dec
Short rains
Short showers, fresh grass and migrant birds.
Getting there
Reaching the park
By road
About two hours from Arusha on a paved road.
By air
A small airstrip on the escarpment links with Arusha and the Serengeti.
On safari
Most northern circuits visit Manyara on the way to Ngorongoro.
Where to stay
Lodges, camps and stays
01
Escarpment lodges
Lodges on the Rift Valley rim with views over the lake.
02
Mto wa Mbu
Budget camps and guesthouses in the village.
03
Karatu
Farm lodges between Manyara and Ngorongoro.
Park entry fees are set by Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) and charged per person per day. Ask us for current rates when you request your quote.
Ready-made trips
Lake Manyara safari tours
Tanzania safaris and combined trips that include Lake Manyara.
- Arusha, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro
- 7 Days 6 Nights
- Arusha, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Tarangire
- 8 Days 7 Nights
- Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Tarangire, Arusha
- 7 Days 6 Nights
- Arusha, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro
- 5 Days 4 Nights
- Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Amboseli, Arusha, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro
- 11 Days 10 Nights
- Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli, Arusha, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Tarangire
- 13 Days 12 Nights
- Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli, Arusha, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro
- 12 Days 11 Nights
- Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Nairobi, Arusha, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro
- 9 Days 8 Nights
- Maasai Mara, Nairobi, Arusha, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro
- 8 Days 7 Nights
Good to know
Lake Manyara FAQs
Where is Lake Manyara National Park?
In northern Tanzania, about two hours west of Arusha at the foot of the Rift Valley escarpment.
Do lions really climb trees at Lake Manyara?
Lions here are known for resting in trees, but sightings are rare and never guaranteed.
How long do you need at Lake Manyara?
A half day or full day is usually enough, often as the first stop on a safari.
When is the best time to visit?
June to October for game viewing, and November to April for birds.
Can I combine Lake Manyara with other parks?
Yes. It sits on the route to Ngorongoro and the Serengeti, close to Tarangire.
Are there flamingos at Lake Manyara?
Sometimes. Numbers change with water levels and are not guaranteed.
Talk to a planner
Still deciding?
Our Nairobi team can answer anything about Lake Manyara and shape a route around your dates.
- +254 111 318 596
- +254 705 223 484
- info@topmatoursandsafaris.com
- Mon – Sat: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Your journey
Start your Lake Manyara journey
Tell us your dates, group size and budget, and we will shape a Lake Manyara itinerary around the season and the experiences you want.
