Lake Manyara National Park is an enchanting Tanzania safari destination with beautiful landscapes and diverse wildlife. This compact Tanzania national park offers a big punch for a relatively small protected area with its rich array of wild animals, birds, habitats, and scenery.
The park boasts a scenic mix of vegetation, from swampy wetlands to lush forests and grassy savannahs - perfect habitats for a variety of birds and animals.
Lake Manyara National Park is part of the Northern Tanzania Safari Circuit, the top game-viewing region in Tanzania. Given its close proximity to the legendary Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater is the ideal add-on to northern Tanzania safaris.
- Stunning scenic setting; described by Ernest Hemingway as “the loveliest I had seen in Africa”
- Tree-climbing lions and massive elephant herds
- Diverse birdlife with thousands of seasonal flamingos, water birds, and other migratory species
- Shallow Rift Valley Lake within the park
This compact park hosts an incredibly high ecological diversity – from groundwater forests and open floodplains to baobab-studded cliffs and hot springs in the southernmost part of the park where Klipspringers live amongst the rocks. The dense groundwater forests that resemble jungles, feature ancient mahogany trees reaching high up into the canopy. In contrast to the forests are the game-rich grassy plains and the alkaline lake. Lake Manyara National Pak also boasts rocky volcanic peaks towering over the vast Maasai Steppes.
Game drives in Lake Manyara National Park are a thrilling experience given the range of large animals found here. During peak season, you will be in the company of other safari-goers, all eagerly exploring the park's fauna and flora.
Lake Manyara National Park, like nearby Tarangire National Park, is home to a large number of elephants, and you will have the opportunity to see them while visiting. Visitors can also be on the lookout for tree-climbing lions. Other wildlife sightings on game drives include leopards, rhinos, and giraffes, along with bushbuck, impala, and warthog. Not to mention the wide variety of bird species.
Lake Manyara National Park is located in the Arusha and Manyara Regions of Tanzania, between Lake Manyara and the Great Rift Valley. It is managed by the Tanzania National Parks Authority. The park covers a total area of 325 km² (125 sq mi), including the lake that covers approximately 230 km² (89 sq mi).
The Marang Forest Reserve is located south of the park. The Kwa Kuchinja Wildlife Migration corridor, situated east of the park, allows wildlife to migrate between Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara, and the Engaruka Basin.
The park is inhabited by a big elephant population, tree-climbing lions, leopards, rhinos, and giraffes, along with bushbuck, impala, and warthog. Lake Manyara National Park also hosts plenty of baboons and monkeys, as well as banded mongoose and klipspringers.
In addition to the tree-climbing lions and big elephant herds that Manyara is famous for, the park is also home to an abundance of hippos and plenty of buffalo, zebra, and wildebeest.
With over 400 recorded bird species found in Lake Manyara National Park, a visit to the park provides a great overview of the birdlife in Tanzania. Bird species include numerous water birds, most notably the massive flocks of pink flamingos which visit the shallow Lake Manyara.
Other water birds also flock to the park, including pelicans, cormorants, and storks. You can also possibly spot Hornbill, Spoonbill, Egyptian Goose, White Faced Duck, Red Billed Quelea, Long-crested Eagle, Grey-headed Kingfisher, and Sacred Ibis in Lake Manyara National Park.
For the best game viewing you'll want to visit Lake Manyara park in the dry season (from July to October) especially to see the larger mammals.
For bird watching, canoeing, and visiting its waterfalls, the wet season (from November to June) is ideal.
The climate in Lake Manyara National Park is an ideal balance between mild and temperate year-round. In terms of rainfall, it's not too wet or too dry. The rainfall in Lake Manyara National Park is split between the long and short rainy seasons.
Dry season (July to October) - Afternoon temperatures are typically around 24°C (75°F). Evening temperatures can drop to 14°C (57°F) on average. The ‘short rains’ are expected to begin in October.
Wet season (November to June) - During the Wet season, temperatures remain mild, peaking in the afternoon at around 27°C (81°F). Temperatures at night are around 16°C (61°F). ‘Long rains’ fall in March, April, and May.
For travelers looking to book a Tanzanian safari, our selection of Lake Manyara Tours offers a wide variety of options. Pricing starts at 1900 USD per person.
Accommodation options for a Lake Manyara Safari vary depending on your length of stay.
Located in Tanzania's Manyara Region, Lake Manyara is a breathtaking sight to behold. Not only is it the seventh-largest lake in the country with a surface area of 230 km2 (89 sq mi), but it also runs right through the Natron-Manyara-Balangida section of the East African Rift Valley. With its shallow, alkaline waters, it has become a valuable resource for those residing on its shores, as well as its visitors.
With both Lake Manyara National Park and Lake Manyara Biosphere Reserve being situated in the northwest quadrant of the lake, it forms part of UNESCO's Man and Biosphere Programme. The Man and Biosphere Programme (MAB) of UNESCO is an intergovernmental scientific program aimed at establishing a scientific foundation for improving the relationship between people and their environments. It combines natural and social sciences in order to improve human livelihoods and protect natural and managed ecosystems.
Whether it's traced back to the Maasai people's word "emanyara” or the Mbugwe people's term “manyero," Lake Manyara has captivated many people with its diverse name origins. Lake Manyara is acclaimed for its 600-meter high rift scarp encircling the lake, resembling a protective enclosure around a Maasai family homestead much like the origin of its name according to one interpretation. On top of this stunning phenomenon are further interpretations linking back to “manyero” as an indication of hosting various treasured animals that flock over to quench their thirst.
The park is on the well-known northern safari circuit. Arusha is the gateway city, and the best way to get there is to fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), which is about 46 kilometers (29 miles) from Arusha.
The drive from Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park is about an hour and a half via tarred roads; if coming from Ngorongoro Crater, it can take up to two hours.
Safari packages include transportation, making your visit to Lake Manyara National Park simple—all you have to do is show up and enjoy the breathtaking scenery. If you prefer to drive yourself, make sure to follow the park's rules and regulations.
If you're planning on visiting Lake Manyara National Park, African Budget Safaris has a variety of packages to choose from, making it easy to find one that fits your specific budget and travel style. Whether you want an exclusive budget experience, want to rough it on a budget camping safari, or prefer something in between, we cater to all travel styles.
Game drives, night game drives, and canoeing when the water levels are high enough.
Cultural tours to the nearby Mto wa Mbu, an ethnically diverse market town.
Bush dining, mountain biking, abseiling, and forest walks in the vicinity of the park.
Mosquitoes and tsetse flies are a concern in Tanzania, and you are best protected against these insects by wearing long pants, long-sleeved shirts, socks, and shoes. In most cases, insect repellent is also highly recommended, if not mandatory. Also, remember to pack proper shoes for Tanzania activities to protect your feet.
Lake Manyara National Park attracts a large number of visitors who enjoy the park's diverse wildlife in a safe environment. Take normal precautions when visiting urban areas during your trip to Tanzania. The vast majority of visitors experience no crime-related incidents during their stay.
As mentioned earlier, mosquitos are a concern in Tanzania. When visiting Lake Manyara, you should take malaria precautions. Mosquito repellent is required and exposed skin should be covered in the evening. Several vaccinations are recommended - consult with your doctor or travel clinic before traveling.
For an affordable safari in Lake Manyara contact African Budget Safaris. Our experienced travel consultants are experts at designing custom safaris tailored to your unique needs and budget.
Our friendly travel experts are here to help you plan and choose the best Lake Manyara safari for you (at no extra charge) so get in touch with us today.
Use the Google map to explore Lake Manyara.