Lake Manyara National Park Tanzania | Safaris & Travel Guide
Lake Manyara is the smallest of the 4 parks that make up the Northern circuit. The lake itself occupies much of the park, and its famous tree-climbing lions seem to have attained almost mythical status.
Tanzania’s Most Scenic Park
Lake Manyara National Park is located in the north of Tanzania at the foot of the Great Rift Valley. The Lake itself covers two thirds of the park, making Manyara the smallest but perhaps also finest of northern Tanzania’s parks. Lake Manyara is the first stop on the well-known Northern Circuit. Halfway between the safari capital of Tanzania, Arusha, and Ngorongoro Crater, Manyara is a natural wonder and home to famed tree-climbing lions.
Manyara is one of the busiest parks in the country as it is right off the main road to the Ngorongoro and the Serengeti thus many tourists stop off en route to the larger parks. But the natural beauty of the park, especially in the deep south, which few travellers take the time to visit, is undeniable. Here the Rift is most dramatic and the park’s famous tree-climbing pride of lions makes its home.
Lake Manyara National Park Safaris
Lake Manyara National Park safaris offer diverse landscapes ranging from dense groundwater forests to the alkaline Lake Manyara. Famous for its tree-climbing lions, vast elephant herds, and thousands of flamingos, this compact park sits on the road to the Ngorongoro Crater, making it a highly accessible stop in Tanzania’s Northern Circuit.
Lake Manyara National Park Day Trip
A day trip to Lake Manyara National Park from Arusha or Moshi is highly feasible and packs a massive variety of ecosystems—including groundwater forests, acacia woodlands, and a massive soda lake—into a single, action-packed day. Located about 126 kilometers west of Arusha, the park can be reached in 1.5 to 2.5 hours by road along a smoothly paved tarmac route, making it a perfect quick-safari getaway.
Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro & Serengeti
These three iconic Tanzanian destinations make up the world-famous Northern Safari Circuit. Covering Lake Manyara, the Serengeti, and Ngorongoro typically requires an adventurous 9-day itinerary. You will experience distinct ecosystems ranging from lush forest and alkaline lakes to endless savannas and a massive volcanic caldera.
Lake Manyara National Park Safari Lodges & Camps
Safari Lodges & Camps in Tarangire National Park ranges from romantic tented camps to hotel-style family lodges. If you’re looking for an adventure in one of northern Tanzania’s least visited safari destinations, our selection of Tarangire accommodation is sure to inspire you and will make planning your Tanzania safari so much simpler.
1. andBeyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge
andBeyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge, Tanzania is set amongst the grandeur of a stunning mahogany forest. andBeyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge is an exclusive, private and unique treehouse experience where luxury meets the natural environment. Specifically located for guests to enjoy an unrivalled view of the famous tree climbing lions, big flocks of flamingos and a variety of other game.
Activities & Wildlife in Lake Manyara National Park
The first park west on your way out of Arusha makes for the perfect safari introduction. This is a stunningly beautiful park, with flamingos and occasional tree-climbing lion.
1. Wildlife
wildlife numbers at Lake Manyara National Park are not as great as its neighbours so this is frequently a brief visit — a picnic lunch and an afternoon wildlife drive – as you head towards the Ngorongoro Crater. It’s the perfect initiation to safari when you come face to face with the Rift Valley for the first time! Most of the park is taken up by the lake, so it can get rather busy, especially further north.
If you choose to stay in the south of the park, you improve your chances of viewing the famous tree-climbing lion. There are only a number of lodges that are actually within the park limit. So when the day-trippers have gone home at the end of the day you get the place to yourself. It may be rather magical.
2. Game drives
This is the main safari activity in Manyara, especially if you are having an afternoon drive passing through. The lake is home to almost 400 permanent pink flamingos, with thousands more joining them during the wet season (November-May). The banks of the lake are quite a sight when they are all pink. Other water birdlife includes cormorants, pelicans and storks. Manyara features good populations of elephant, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and buffalo, as well as blue monkeys and baboons in the forests. If you are lucky, you may see a tree-climbing lion, which lives mostly in the park’s southern acacia woodlands.
3. Longer-stay activities
There are plenty of other things to do for individuals who want to spend some time around Lake Manyara, such staying in one of the two lodges inside the park. Go canoeing on the lake (water levels permitting) and take guided nature walks or visit Maji Moto Hot Springs for fantastic birdwatching. Lake Manyara is also one of the rare places where you may go on night driving and witness what comes out at night like civets, porcupines and genets. There’s also the Treetop Walkway, an almost 400-metre suspended bridge offering you a ‘bird’s-eye view’ of the forest canopy. Outside the park boundaries you can do some mountain riding and visit local farms, villages and marketplaces on planned cultural trips.