Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania: Safari Guide, Best Time, Wildlife, & Travel Tips.

Explore Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania: wildlife, tree-climbing lions, best time to visit, activities, how to get there, safari tips, and where to stay.

Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania. Complete Safari Travel Guide

Lake Manyara National Park is one of Tanzania’s most scenic and diverse safari destinations, located in the northern safari circuit between Arusha and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Famous for its tree-climbing lions, massive elephant herds, and seasonal flamingos, the park offers a compact yet remarkably varied safari experience.

Despite its smaller size, Lake Manyara National Park packs groundwater forests, open savannah, acacia woodland, hot springs, and a vast alkaline lake into a single protected area, making it ideal for short safaris, day trips, and travelers seeking diversity in limited time.

Welcome to Lake Manyara National Park one of the best national parks in the famous northern circuit of Tanzania known for its unique tree climbing lions and the soda ash lake that attracts thousands of pink flamingos.

Lake Manyara National Park is one of the premium national parks in Tanzania’s Arusha and Manyara Regions located between Lake Manyara and the Great Rift Valley. It is administered by the Tanzania National Parks Authority covering an area of 325 km² including about 230 km² of the lake surface. The park is among the smallest national parks in Tanzania covering 330km² approximately 127 square miles.

Lake Manyara National Park is famous for its unique inhabitants like the Tree climbing lions which are rare and are found only in Manyara and Serengeti in Tanzania and can also be seen in Uganda, in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

The park consists of more than 350 bird species observed on the lake Manyara. The park was named after the soda lake which is found at the park, also named after the common sited tree at the park, called Euphorbia Tirucalli which is called Emanyara in the Maasai language. The tree is vital in the Maasai culture as a security measure for their cattle against thieves and predators

Lake Manyara Safaris (Tanzania Wildlife Safaris)

3-Day Mid-range Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Safari.

5-Day Luxury Fly-in Serengeti Safari.

Wildebeest Migration River Crossing Safari

Northern Tanzania Exclusive Safari

Where Is Lake Manyara National Park Located?

Lake Manyara National Park lies in northern Tanzania, at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment.

Distance from Arusha: ~125 km (2–2.5 hours by road)
Distance from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO): ~180 km
Closest town: Mto wa Mbu

Its strategic location makes it a natural stop between Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Serengeti National Park.

Lake Manyara National Park History

Since the 1920s, the Lake Manyara area was used for sports hunting until 1957, when a game reserve was established. In 1960, it was given a National Park status, and in 1974, about 550 hectares were added to the southern end. The majority of the land area of the park is a narrow strip running between the Gregory Rift wall to the west and Lake Manyara, an alkaline lake, to the east. The national park only includes the northwest quadrant of the lake, which is about 200 km². It is part of the much larger Lake Manyara Biosphere Reserve established in 1981 by UNESCO as part of its Man and the Biosphere Program.

Safari Activities in Lake Manyara National Park

Like other national parks in Tanzania, Lake Manyara National Park has different tourism activities ranging from game drives, birding, nature walks, canoeing, and a lot more that give tourists a safari experience. Below are the activities done in Lake Manyara National Park:

Morning & Afternoon Game drives

Classic morning and afternoon drives reveal diverse habitats and wildlife concentrations.

Game drives in Lake Manyara National Park provide tourists with incredible opportunities to explore the wildlife, particularly the day game drives that can be conducted throughout the day, starting in the early morning. Tourists can also choose to go for an evening game drive, although some animals may be at rest and also going to sleep.

However, the full-day game drive gives you an ultimate adventure searching for different wildlife, and these game drives are done in the 4×4-wheel vehicles, which give tourists a perfect view and access to the wildlife.

Treetop Canopy Walkway

This is an encounter in the rain forests around Lake Manyara, where tourists swing on the canopy of the trees while enjoying aerial views of the park. This is the first treetop walk in Tanzania, sometimes referred to as the Manyara treetop walkway, which offers a sky-high adventure in the park’s forests; however, it is an additional activity that requires extra payment.

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Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania.

Birdwatching Safaris

Lake Manyara is ideal for enthusiasts seeking both resident and migratory species.

Lake Manyara National Park harbors over 400 bird species, and birders can enjoy this activity throughout the year, although wet months are the best for it when birds nest and migratory birds are present. The most cited birds in this park include pink flamingos, geese, ducks, swans, the rufous-tailed weaver, lovebirds, Fischer’s sparrow lark, the grey crowned crane, the two-banded course, the Narina trogon, the emerald cuckoo, the crowned hornbill, Schalow’s turaco, the crested guinea fowl, and others. These birds can be spotted on the shores of Lake Manyara.

Canoeing

Canoeing in Lake Manyara National Park is a seasonal activity that occurs only during the rainy season, when the boat ride aligns with the water level in the lake, which is low because boat cruises are not permitted.

Visit the volcanic hot springs.

Lake Manyara National Park is a product of the Great Rift Valley actions, with a big number of attractions that include hot springs, and visiting these unique volcanic features is worth it. Go witness the powers of nature and also take time to boil eggs or bananas. It is a life experience that gives you excitement.

Attractions in Lake Manyara National Park.

Lake Manyara

The silvery bowl of salt deposits contains Manyara, an alkaline lake in Lake Manyara National Park that changes size according to the seasons, and two-thirds of the park’s total surface area is taken up by it. This lake is one of the main attractions in the park, as most animal viewing is best done here; wild animals from the park come to this lake for drinking water, making sightings simple and guaranteed, especially during the dry seasons. The lake is home to several pink flamingos, along with other animals like hippos that live in the shallow part of the river.

Wildlife

The wildlife in Lake Manyara includes elephants, wildebeests, giraffes, and buffaloes, all of which are prevalent alongside a large population of zebras, impalas, warthogs, and waterbucks. However, tourists have to look a little harder to locate the small Shy Kirk’s dik-dik and klipspringer on the escarpment’s slope. To witness the animals that constantly move, game drives have a small road circuit that may be completed in 3 to 4 hours. The majority of the tourists plan their trips for the afternoon, although going in for the morning drive is considerably better because there are fewer other vehicles and greater Tanzania wildlife safari activity.

Tree-Climbing Lions

Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania.

The tree-climbing lions are the main attraction of Lake Manyara National Park; these lions are specifically adapted to climb trees and can occasionally be seen resting in the branches. Tree-climbing lions in Africa can be found only in two populations worldwide, which are Lake Manyara National Park and the Ishasha Area of Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda.

Birds

Lake Manyara National Park is one of the birding paradises, and the bird watching here is fantastic compared to other famous birding destinations in Tanzania. The numerous bird species found in the Lake Manyara National Park vary depending on the area, and large flocks of pelicans and pink flamingos are frequently seen on the lake, and also egrets, stilt herons, spoonbills, stalks, and other waders can frequently be seen close to the park’s borders and in the floodplains. Other species include crowned eagles, crested guinea fowl, and silvery-cheeked hornbills, which are only seen in evergreen forests.

The Abundant Elephants.

Apart from Tarangire National Park in Tanzania and Amboseli National Park in Kenya, Lake Manyara National Park is another African park having high populations of elephants, which can be observed frequently in the acacia woodlands and evergreen forests of this park, where they live in big numbers with enough ground to eat because of the abundant groundwater and lush vegetation.

Maji Moto Springs.

Maji Moto Springs, which means “hot water,” are natural springs in the Lake Manyara National Park. Maji Moto Springs is a secluded sanctuary with crystal-clear waters covered by palm and fig trees with unrivaled beauty. Tourists can stop by this hot spring for a picnic lunch and a swim in its temperate waters while on a Tanzanian safari in Lake Manyara National Park, and the water is about 60°C.

Why Visit Lake Manyara National Park?

Lake Manyara stands out for ecological variety rather than sheer size. Within a single game drive, visitors move from dense rainforest to open plains and lakeshore habitats.

Key highlights include:

Tree-climbing lions (rare behavior in Africa)
Large herds of elephants
Over 400 bird species
Scenic Rift Valley escarpment backdrop
Fewer crowds compared to Serengeti and Ngorongoro

This makes Lake Manyara ideal for travelers who want high biodiversity in a short time.

Best Time to Visit Lake Manyara National Park.

Watching wildlife in Lake Manyara National Park is enjoyable all year but best from June to October during the dry seasons. However, this scenic park is most beautiful during the wet season, which is from November to May, when the vegetation is lush and waterfalls cascade down the escarpment.

Underground volcanic activity heats the hot springs in Lake Manyara National Park’s southern section. The springs boil up and spill into the lake through sulfur-covered rocks. Hippos sunbathe during the day and seek food at night in warmer climates. Although the intermittent rains in November and December cause hot and humid temperatures of up to 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius) and occasional thunderstorms in the afternoons or evenings, there is still plenty of chance for game viewing in Manyara during these months. Make sure you have plenty of mosquito repellent spray on hand, and proceed with caution while deciding on a path across wet terrain.

During the period from January to mid-March, when the heavy rains occur, discounted prices are available for accommodations. At this season, our guests take advantage of the abundant wildlife on their safari expeditions in northern Tanzania, despite the arid and sweltering temperatures.

Although the costs of airlines, car rentals, park fees, meals, and activities remain constant throughout the year, the months of April and May, commonly referred to as the low or green season, experience the highest amount of rainfall. Consequently, this period is characterized by the lowest prices for accommodations. At present, it is possible to observe a vast number of small red-billed quelea weavers, which create a spectacle by covering the sky with their vibrant red and amber breeding plumage. Additionally, one can observe migratory colonies of storks, pelicans, spoonbills, cormorants, and pink flamingos gathering in the nutrient-abundant shallows of the lake. The forested regions and environs adjacent to the lake are also excellent locations for engaging in the activity of observing and studying birds.

How to get there

By Air

The best way to get to Lake Manyara National Park is by flying to Kilimanjaro International Airport, and from Arusha, the airport is about 46. When using a domestic flight, it is possible to fly to Arusha Airport from Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam.

However, you can use an international flight to Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam and then take a connecting flight from either JRO or Arusha Airport. There are other charter flights to Lake Manyara Airport that connect from Serengeti or Arusha. From there you can connect by road to the park gate, which is about 16 km. Domestic flights can be arranged with a domestic carrier, and charter flights between parks are mostly booked by tour operators as part of your safari package.

By Road

The national park is located southwest of Arusha town, and the distance from Arusha to the park is 126 km and can easily be accessed by car. The most common way for tourists to reach the park along the northern safari circuit is from Bahati, the Manyara region’s capital. Tourists can also take a road safari along the newly tarred road connecting from Arusha, which only takes 1 to 2 hours to reach the entrance gate.

Accommodations in Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara Serena

Lake Manyara Serena is located outside the park, dramatically perched on the edge of the Mto Wa Mbu escarpment with one of the greatest views over the Great Rift Valley and its soda lake. The lodge has 67 bedrooms housed in individual thatched circular double-story rondavels inspired by traditional Maasai “Bomas,” all with bathrooms en suite, bathrobes & slippers, comfortable beds with mosquito nets, a small private verandah, a telephone & Wi-Fi, and a hair dryer. Other facilities include a central dining room & bar, an outside dining terrace, a swimming pool, a poolside bar & deck, a tented conference room, a business center, a satellite TV room, valet service, and a gift shop.

Lake Manyara Tree Lodge.

Lake Manyara Tree Lodge is sited inside Lake Manyara National Park on the southern border of the park in the mahogany forest, blending into the natural beauty of its breathtaking surroundings. Lake Manyara Tree Lodge consists of 10 spacious tree houses crafted from local timber and palm fronds, and each tree house suite features large open decks and spacious rooms with large windows, overhead fans, mosquito nets, en suite bathrooms with baths and an exhilarating outdoor shower, private verandas with comfortable furniture and extensive views of the lovely forest environment, and butler service. The lodge also offers night game drives, bird watching, picnics or breakfast on the lakeshore, and massages.

Kirurumu Manyara lodge

Kirurumu Manyara Lodge is found outside the park, sitting high on the edge of the Great Rift Valley escarpment with a panoramic view of Lake Manyara. Kirurumu Lodge has 27 tented rooms with thatched roofs and wooden verandahs offered in twin or single, double, triple, family suite & honeymoon suite, all with bathrooms. Other facilities include a dining room with waiter service, a bar with a sundeck and panoramic view of the Rift Valley, and activities like Maasai-guided ethnobotanical walks, fly camping, laundry, and a boutique/gift shop.

African sunrise lodge and campsite

This place is found close to Lake Manyara, which is about 7 km from the main road in the village called Huduma. The lodge offers 9 guest rooms, and they are all en suite. The place has a restaurant and a sun terrace, and it is a 2-hour drive from Arusha and 2.5hours from Kilimanjaro International Airport.

Ango tree hotel

This is a budget hotel found a short distance from Bahati town, south of Arusha city in the Manyara region. The place offers bed and breakfast in the stone-built cottages, and the rooms are en suite, including a seating area.

Eco Boma camp

This camp is located in Mto Wa Mbu, providing garden views, a restaurant, a kitchen, a bar, and more. The camping also features both Wi-Fi and private parking free of charge.