Introduction
Lake Manyara National Park is famous for its tree-climbing lions, scenic soda ash lake, and flocks of pink flamingos. This guide offers you the latest information on the park’s attractions, how to get there, where to stay, and more. Enjoy your unforgettable Tanzania safari!
Wildlife Highlights
Lake Manyara is rich in wildlife. You’ll find large herds of elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, impalas, waterbucks, warthogs, and the tiny, shy Kirk’s dik-dik. On the escarpment slopes, you may spot klipspringers.
The park also shelters leopards in its forests and escarpments, and lions known for occasionally climbing trees—once a defining feature of the park, though now seen less often. You’ll also encounter Africa’s largest baboon troops, a sight many travelers remember.
Attractions in Lake Manyara National Park
Located in northern Tanzania, Lake Manyara National Park is about 126 km west of Arusha. It spans 330 square kilometers, of which 220 sq km is covered by the lake. The park offers diverse landscapes, from acacia woodlands and groundwater forests to open floodplains.
How to Get There
Lake Manyara is part of Tanzania’s popular northern safari circuit, making it easily accessible. Most visitors include it on their way to or from the Ngorongoro Crater or Serengeti National Park. It’s about a 1.5-hour drive from Arusha on a paved road.
Best Time to Visit
Lake Manyara can be visited year-round. The dry season (June–October) is best for game viewing, while the wet season (November–May) offers lush scenery and excellent birdwatching. The park’s groundwater forests stay green year-round, offering shade and cool air.
Safari Tips: Day Trips vs. Overnight Stays
Many travelers visit Lake Manyara as a quick stop—usually a half-day trip on the way to the Ngorongoro Crater. While convenient and cost-effective, this rushed approach limits your experience, as most of the visit focuses on the busy northern section.
For a richer safari, consider staying inside the park at a permanent camp or mobile tent. You’ll start game drives earlier than others and enjoy a deeper, quieter connection with nature.
If you’re on a tighter budget, staying just outside the park near the main gate is a good alternative. You’ll find affordable lodges along the Rift Valley escarpment, many offering stunning views across the park.
Birdwatching in Manyara
Lake Manyara is a birdwatcher’s paradise. Flocks of pelicans and flamingos color the lake, while spoonbills, egrets, herons, storks, and other waders gather along the shores. In the forests, look for crowned eagles, crested guinea fowl, and the loud, charismatic silvery-cheeked hornbills.
Park Entrance & Access
You can reach the park from Arusha in 90 minutes or from Ngorongoro in under an hour. The northern section tends to get crowded in the afternoons, so staying overnight allows for quieter game viewing early in the morning.
There are two main entrances:
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North Gate: The most used, with nearby accommodations and more visitor traffic.
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South Gate: Rarely used and with limited access, available only to guests of certain lodges and camps.
Scenery & Landscape
Set beneath the Great Rift Valley escarpment, Lake Manyara lies in a narrow strip between the cliffs and the alkaline lake. The landscape changes with the seasons as the lake expands and shrinks.
The surrounding scenery includes:
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Grassy floodplains
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Mixed acacia woodlands
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Patches of evergreen forest nourished by underground springs at the base of the escarpment
This diverse environment creates a unique safari setting you won’t find elsewhere in Tanzania.
Final Thoughts
Lake Manyara National Park is often overlooked, but it delivers a powerful punch in a small package. Whether you’re coming for the tree-climbing lions, the birdlife, or the dramatic escarpment views, the park is well worth a longer stay. Slow down, explore deeply, and experience a side of Tanzania few travelers truly see.