Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania

Lake Manyara National Park

National Park

Lake Manyara National Park sits at the base of the Great Rift Valley's escarpment, where dense groundwater forest gives way to open grassland and the shimmering, alkaline Lake Manyara itself. Despite its relatively small size, the park packs in a striking variety of habitats and wildlife, famous in particular for its tree-climbing lions.

The lake attracts vast flocks of flamingos and pelicans in the right season, while the surrounding forest and grassland support healthy populations of elephant, buffalo, and primates, making Manyara a rewarding stop even on a short visit.

Category

National Park

Getting There

Fly into Kilimanjaro Int'l or Arusha Airport

Ideal For

Safari travelers

Region

Northern Tanzania

Best Time to Visit

The dry season (June–October) offers the best game viewing, while November–May brings excellent birdlife, including large flamingo flocks on the lake.

Climate

Warm and humid near the lake and groundwater forest, with a shorter dry season than parks further from the Rift Valley escarpment.

Wildlife You Might See

  • Tree-climbing lions, one of the park's signature sightings
  • Large elephant herds in the groundwater forest
  • Flamingos and pelicans on Lake Manyara in season
  • Blue monkeys and olive baboons in the forest zone

Activities & Attractions

  • Game drives through forest, grassland, and lakeshore habitats
  • Birdwatching, especially strong during the wet season
  • Canoeing on Lake Manyara when water levels allow
  • Cultural visits to nearby Mto wa Mbu village

Travel Tips for Lake Manyara National Park

  • Manyara is compact, making it a good half-day or full-day stop rather than requiring multiple nights.
  • It's commonly visited en route between Arusha/Tarangire and the Serengeti or Ngorongoro.
  • Look up, not just ahead — Manyara's tree-climbing lions are often spotted resting in acacia branches.
  • Visit during the wet season if birdwatching and flamingos are a priority for your trip.

Lake Manyara National Park Safari Packages

Real itineraries that include Lake Manyara National Park — pick one to see the full day-by-day plan and pricing.

12-Day Honeymoon and Beach Holiday — Arusha Excursions

12-Day Honeymoon and Beach Holiday

From $3765
View Tour
3-Day Luxury Wildlife Safari — Arusha Excursions

3-Day Luxury Wildlife Safari

Ask for pricing
View Tour
4-Day Classic Safari with Walking Adventure — Arusha Excursions

4-Day Classic Safari with Walking Adventure

From $985
View Tour
4-Day Fly-In Classic Safari, Zanzibar to Tanzania’s Northern Circuit — Arusha Excursions

4-Day Fly-In Classic Safari, Zanzibar to Tanzania’s Northern Circuit

From $2310
View Tour
5-Day Shared Camping Safari, Explore Tanzania’s Best Parks — Arusha Excursions

5-Day Shared Camping Safari, Explore Tanzania’s Best Parks

From $990
View Tour
5-Day Ultimate Safari Experience in Tanzania — Arusha Excursions

5-Day Ultimate Safari Experience in Tanzania

From $1692
View Tour

Frequently Asked Questions

It's thought to be a behavioral adaptation to escape biting insects and the day's heat, or simply an easier vantage point — this behavior is unusually common at Manyara.

It covers about 330 square kilometres, making it one of the smaller parks on the northern safari circuit.

Yes, especially as part of a broader northern circuit itinerary — its habitat diversity and tree-climbing lions make it a rewarding stop even in a single day.

The wet season, roughly November to May, when water levels typically attract the largest flocks.

Related Destinations

Tarangire National Park, Tanzania

Tarangire National Park
Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Ngorongoro Crater
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Serengeti National Park
Start Planning Your Trip

Ready to Experience Lake Manyara National Park?

Tell us a little about your trip and our safari experts will send a tailored proposal within hours.