Lake Manyara National Park

Close to Arusha, en route to Ngorongoro and Serengeti there is a small delightful National Park that is really worth a visit. When water levels are high, up to 200 of its 330 sq km is taken up by an alkaline lake.

Entering its main gate you pass through a lush evergreen forest created by groundwater that comes from the Ngorongoro Highlands. As you drive further on, you pass through dense acacia woodland offering an opportunity to watch impressive tusked elephants and big families of baboons. Around the lake there is a grassy floodplain dotted with large herds of buffalo, zebras, wildebeest and giraffes. On the southern side of the park, pairs of klipspringer are often seen silhouetted on the rocks above a field of hot springs that steam close to the lake-shore.

Lake Manyara has superb birdlife – more than 380 species have been recorded – including thousands of pink-hued flamingos on their perpetual migration, as well as other large water birds such as pelicans, cormorants and storks. Abundant hippos bathe in the waters. The forest is a good home for leopard, whilst Manyara’s lions are famous for their tree-climbing behaviour.

The park can easily be seen in a day. Best game viewing months are December to February and May to July, tapering off in August and September. Your safari to lake Manyara may be easily combined with a visit to the Serengeti, Ngorogoro and Tarangire parks. Another possibility is to visit the Hadjabe and Datoga tribes on neighbouring lake Eyasi. If you are interested in this cultural tour there is more extended information in our “life” section.

When the water level is sufficiently high the lake is great for canoeing. In addition to morning drives, we can arrange night game drives, mountain bike tours and forest walks on the escarpment outside the park.

For your accommodation there is one luxury tree house-style camp, public bandas and campsites inside the park. Outside the park there is also one luxury tented camp and three lodges overlooking the lake.

Lake Manyara National Park can be visited separately as a small safari from Arusha or be combined with other parks on the northern circuit. Have a look at our itineraries and if you prefer another combination of places and activities, contact us and we will be happy to design a unique program for you.