Groundwater forest
A green, shaded forest unusual among the northern parks.
Tanzania · Northern Tanzania, below the Rift Valley escarpment
Lake Manyara
Forest, lake and escarpment in one compact park.
Lake Manyara National Park lies at the foot of the Great Rift Valley escarpment. In a small area it combines groundwater forest, grassland and an alkaline lake that covers much of the park, with a rich birdlife.
- Country
- Tanzania
- Known for
- Birdlife · forest · tree-resting lions
- From Arusha
- About 2 hours by road
- Ideal stay
- A day
The place
Lake Manyara, at a glance.
Entering the park, you drive first through groundwater forest, home to troops of baboons and blue monkeys, before reaching open grassland and the lakeshore.
Lions here are sometimes seen resting in trees, although this is irregular. Hundreds of bird species have been recorded, including flamingos and pelicans when conditions suit them.
Much of the park is taken up by the alkaline lake, so the land is a narrow strip between the water and the escarpment, quickly explored in a day. Hot springs bubble up near the southern end of the park.
Its position at the foot of the Rift Valley escarpment means you see the park twice: from the forest and lakeshore below, and from the viewpoint on the road up to Karatu and the Ngorongoro highlands.
Planning notes
- Official name
- Lake Manyara National Park
- Region
- Northern Tanzania, below the Rift Valley escarpment
- Known for
- Birdlife · forest · tree-resting lions
- From Arusha
- About 2 hours by road
- Ideal stay
- A day
- Combines well with
- Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti
The appeal
Why visit Lake Manyara?
Birdlife
A good park for birdwatchers, with forest birds and waterbirds.
Escarpment views
The road up to Karatu gives views back over the lake.
Wild encounters
Wildlife of Lake Manyara.
Baboons, blue monkeys, elephants, giraffes, buffalo, hippos, lions and many waterbirds. Wildlife is free-ranging, so sightings vary and can never be guaranteed.
Baboon resting on its side in grass 
Close view of a giraffe feeding on leaves 
Lions draped over the branches of a tree 
Flamingos in flight with wings outstretched
Travel through the year
When to visit Lake Manyara.
Lake Manyara is good year-round, with the dry season best for mammals and the green season for birds.
Jun – Oct
Dry season with good game viewing.
Nov – May
Green season; especially good for birds.
Your way of travelling
Ways to experience Lake Manyara.
Optional activities are arranged separately and may cost extra.
01
Groundwater forest drive
Tall fig and mahogany trees, troops of baboons and blue monkeys, and elephants moving through the shade.
02
Lakeshore and hippo pool
Open grassland along the shore with buffalo, zebras, wildebeest and waterbirds.
03
Birdwatching
One of the best parks in the north for birds, from forest species to pelicans and storks on the lake.
The way there
Getting to Lake Manyara.
By road
About two hours from Arusha, near the town of Mto wa Mbu.
On a circuit
On the main road from Arusha to the Ngorongoro highlands, so it fits naturally between Tarangire and the crater.
Finding your pace
How long to stay.
A day
A game drive of four to six hours covers the park well.
A night nearby
Staying in the Lake Manyara area after your game drive breaks the long drive to the Serengeti and pairs well with Tarangire.
Where to stay
Accommodation in Lake Manyara.
Our budget safaris use the property below. Mid-range and luxury lodges and camps are agreed with you after you enquire, based on your dates and preferences.
Campsite and rooms · Lake Manyara area
Fanaka Campsite
A garden base between Tarangire and Lake Manyara.
Trip ideas
Short trip
3 Days Tanzania Safari – Tarangire, Lake Manyara & NgorongoroArusha → Tarangire → Lake Manyara → Ngorongoro Crater → Arusha
Combine it
5 Days Best Tanzania Budget Safari Wildlife AdventureArusha → Lake Manyara → Serengeti → Ngorongoro → Arusha
The long way
14 Days Kenya & Tanzania Budget SafariNairobi → Maasai Mara → Nakuru → Lake Naivasha → Amboseli → Arusha → Tarangire → Lake Manyara → Serengeti → Ngorongoro → Arusha
17 safaris
Safaris that include Lake Manyara.
7 days · Tanzania · Private or group
7 Days Northern Tanzania Circuit Midrange Safari
The northern circuit, unhurried
Wildlife safari · Mid-range
Seven days through Tarangire, Lake Manyara, two nights in the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater, with lodge stays and time to enjoy each place.
Price on request
10 days · Kenya & Tanzania · Private or group
10 Days Kenya to Tanzania Midrange Safari
From Nairobi to Arusha the scenic way
Wildlife safari · Mid-range
A ten-day mid-range journey from Nairobi to Arusha: the Maasai Mara, Lake Naivasha and Amboseli in Kenya, then Tarangire, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater.
Price on request
3 days · Tanzania · Private or group
3 Days Tanzania Safari – Tarangire, Lake Manyara & Ngorongoro
Three parks in three days from Arusha
Wildlife safari · Budget
A short northern Tanzania safari from Arusha: Tarangire's baobabs and elephants, Lake Manyara's forest and lake, and a final day in the Ngorongoro Crater.
USD 675 pp
4 days · Tanzania · Private or group
4 Days Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengeti & Lake Manyara Safari
The northern circuit in four days
Wildlife safari · Budget
Northern Tanzania's highlights at speed: Tarangire, a night in the Lake Manyara area, an afternoon and morning in the Serengeti and a final day in the Ngorongoro Crater.
USD 830 pp
Group joining5 days · Tanzania · Group joining
5 Days Best Tanzania Budget Safari Wildlife Adventure
Manyara, the Serengeti and the crater
Wildlife safari · Budget
Five days on a budget across northern Tanzania, with Lake Manyara, two nights in the central Serengeti and a final day in the Ngorongoro Crater.
Price on request
5 days · Tanzania · Private or group
5 Days Big Five Tanzania Safari – Northern Circuit
Four parks, five days
Wildlife safari · Mid-range
A mid-range northern circuit covering Tarangire, Lake Manyara, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater, the area where all of the Big Five may be found.
Price on request
6 days · Tanzania · Private
6 Days Incredible Tanzania Wildlife Safari – Private
A private northern circuit with lodge stays
Wildlife safari · Mid-range
A private six-day lodge safari through Tarangire, Lake Manyara, two nights in the Serengeti and a final day in the Ngorongoro Crater.
Price on request
Group joining6 days · Tanzania · Group joining
6 Days Stunning Tanzania Shared Northern Circuit Safari
Join other travellers on the northern circuit
Wildlife safari · Budget
A shared budget safari through Tarangire, Lake Manyara, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater, travelling with other guests to keep costs down.
Price on request
7 days · Tanzania · Private or group
7 Days Incredible Tanzania Safari
The northern parks and Lake Natron
Wildlife safari · Mid-range
A mid-range safari that adds remote Lake Natron to Lake Manyara, the Ngorongoro Crater and two nights in the Serengeti.
Price on request
Before you go
Practical notes.
Accommodation
Most circuits stay near Mto wa Mbu or up the escarpment in Karatu.
Common questions
Lake Manyara, explained.
Are there tree-climbing lions at Lake Manyara?
Lions here are sometimes seen resting in trees, but this is irregular and cannot be guaranteed.
How long do I need at Lake Manyara?
Usually a single day's game drive.
Where do budget safaris stay at Lake Manyara?
At Fanaka Campsite in the Lake Manyara area. Mid-range lodges near the park or in Karatu are agreed after you enquire.
Is Lake Manyara worth visiting?
Yes, especially on a first northern-circuit safari or for birdwatchers. Its forest and lakeshore are a good contrast to the open Serengeti plains.
When is the best time to visit Lake Manyara?
Any time. The dry season is best for mammals, and the green season, roughly November to May, is especially good for birds.
Your Lake Manyara journey
Ready to see Lake Manyara for yourself?
Explore safaris that include Lake Manyara, or tell us how you would like to travel.