Overview
Welcome to Lake Manyara National Park, one of Tanzania’s most beautiful and diverse natural treasures. This wonderful park covers about 330 square kilometers in total, with nearly 200 square kilometers taken up by the lake itself when water levels are high. It may be smaller compared to Serengeti or Ngorongoro, but its beauty, variety, and charm make it one of the most rewarding places to visit in East Africa.
Awards & Recognition
Lake Manyara National Park is famous for its tree-climbing lions, large elephant herds, colorful birdlife, and spectacular landscapes. Within just a few hours of driving, you can experience forests, grasslands, wetlands, and lakeshores, all packed with wildlife.
The park is home to more than 50 species of mammals, including the Big Five. Visitors may also encounter cheetahs, hyenas, hippos, and giraffes, as well as different kinds of antelopes and monkeys. Lake Manyara is also a paradise for bird lovers, boasting more than 400 bird species recorded within its borders. During the wet season, thousands of flamingos cover the lake’s surface, turning it into a vast pink mirror.
The landscape of Tarangire
What makes Lake Manyara so special is how quickly the landscape changes as you explore it. As you drive through the park, you pass through a series of completely different environments that make every part of the journey feel fresh and new.
Groundwater Forest
Lush, evergreen habitat near the park entrance. Home to troops of baboons, blue monkeys, bushbucks, and elephants
Acacia Woodland
Excellent habitat for elephants, giraffes, impalas, and lions. Look up you may spot tree-climbing lions lounging on branches
Open Grasslands and Floodplains
Supports grazing herbivores like wildebeest, zebras, buffaloes. Also attracts predators including hyenas and leopards
Lake Manyara (Alkaline Lake)
Seasonal home to flocks of flamingos, pelicans, and storks. Hippos wallow in the shallows, while waterbirds feed along the shore
Activities to do
Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned explorer, Serengeti offers unforgettable experiences:
1. Game Drives
Embark on morning and afternoon game drives to observe the park’s diverse wildlife. Guided by experienced rangers, these drives offer opportunities to spot elephants, lions, leopards, and a variety of bird species.
2. Walking Safari
3. Bird Watching
Lake Manyara is a paradise for birdwatchers. The park’s different habitats – from forest to swamp to open water, attract an incredible variety of birds. More than 400 species have been identified here, and it’s not unusual to see over a hundred in a single day.
4. Cultural Visits
For those who enjoy exploring on foot, walking safaris led by armed rangers are also available. These walks give you the chance to experience nature up close, learn about animal tracks, and understand the smaller details of the ecosystem that you might miss from a vehicle.
Best Time to Visit
Dry Season
This is the best time for general wildlife viewing. The vegetation is thin, making it easier to spot animals, and the roads are dry and accessible. The weather is sunny with daytime temperatures between 25°C and 30°C. It’s also the best period to see the famous tree-climbing lions.
Wet Season
This is the best time for birdwatching and enjoying lush green scenery. The short rains come between November and December, while the long rains occur from March to May. The park becomes beautifully green, waterfalls flow down the cliffs, and flamingos fill the lake.
How to get there
By Road
Lake Manyara National Park is located about 110 kilometers west of Arusha, which takes around two hours by road. Most visitors include it as part of a safari circuit that also covers Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, and Serengeti National Park.
By Air
For those who prefer flying, there are daily flights from Arusha, Zanzibar, and Dar es Salaam to the park’s airstrip. Domestic airlines like Coastal Aviation, Auric Air, and Precision Air operate these flights, making travel easy and convenient.