Lake Manyara National Park is a compact but remarkably diverse safari destination in northern Tanzania, set beneath the dramatic cliffs of the Great Rift Valley. The park combines lush groundwater forests, open floodplains, acacia woodland, wetlands and the alkaline waters of Lake Manyara, creating an impressive variety of landscapes and wildlife within a relatively small area.
The park is best known for its unusual tree-climbing lions, large elephant herds, colorful birdlife and troops of baboons and blue monkeys moving through the forest. Along the lakeshore, seasonal concentrations of flamingos and other waterbirds add another spectacular dimension to the safari experience.
Lake Manyara is also an excellent introduction to Tanzania’s Northern Safari Circuit. Its location makes it easy to combine with Tarangire National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti National Park, making it a natural addition to a longer northern Tanzania safari.
Despite its compact size, Lake Manyara offers an extraordinary variety of scenery and wildlife, making it a rewarding destination for first-time safari travelers, birdwatchers, photographers and families.
648.7 km²
Lake Manyara National Park covers approximately 648.7 square kilometres and includes a remarkable mixture of forest, woodland, grassland, wetlands and lake environments.
By road: Lake Manyara National Park is located along Tanzania’s Northern Safari Circuit, approximately 125 km from Arusha and close to the town of Mto wa Mbu. The drive from Arusha generally takes around 2–2.5 hours in good road conditions.
By air: Scheduled and charter flights can also connect travelers to the Manyara area, with transfers available to the park and nearby lodges.
Lake Manyara is particularly easy to combine with Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Serengeti on a northern Tanzania safari itinerary.
June–October — Dry season with good general wildlife viewing and comfortable safari conditions.
November–May — Greener landscapes, excellent birdlife and seasonal flamingo activity.
Lake Manyara can be visited throughout the year, with the best timing depending on your interests and the other destinations included in your safari.
1–2 nights recommended
A full day is enough to experience the park’s major wildlife and landscapes, while two nights allow for a more relaxed visit and additional time for exploring the forest, floodplains and lakeshore.
For many travelers, Lake Manyara works especially well as an early stop on a Northern Tanzania safari before continuing toward Ngorongoro and Serengeti.
Lake Manyara offers an impressive variety of wildlife and habitats despite its relatively compact size.
Lake Manyara National Park is famous for its tree-climbing lions, which are occasionally seen resting high in the branches of acacia trees.
The park is also home to a remarkable groundwater forest, fed by natural springs from the surrounding highlands. These permanent water sources help create a lush green environment even within the dry Rift Valley landscape.
The name Manyara comes from “Emanyara,” the Maasai name associated with Euphorbia tirucalli, a plant traditionally used for living fences
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