Lake Manyara National Park – Tanzania
Located in the northern part of Tanzania, Lake Manyara National Park lies at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment in the Arusha and Manyara regions. Even though Lake Manyara National Park is smaller than other Tanzania National parks, it covers just 330 square kilometres. Lake Manyara national park is part of the great Northern Safari Circuit. Other unique places to visit in Tanzania grouped under this circuit carry along; Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and Tarangire National Park.
The national park is situated just next to the great lake Manyara in Tanzania. The latter is a shallow endorheic alkaline lake averaging just 0.8 meters deep. Also, Lake Manyara is fed by perennial rivers just like the Simba and Makayuni. Not forgetting underground springs from the Ngorongoro Highlands which are 3.7 meters deep most especially during the wet seasons.
This national park was established as a game reserve in the year 1981. So, over the years the Lake Manyara game reserve kept on expanding. Later, Lake Manyara game reserve was declared as a national park in the year 1960 with the aim of protecting wetlands. Lake Manyara national park is made up of flood grass plains and saline flats to dense groundwater forests of fig and mahogany. These tourist attractions in lake Manyara NP are cared for the spring fed wetlands. Hence, creating great shelter for all the wildlife found within the park.
Lake Manyara national park’s iconic attraction is the tree-climbing lions, Rift Valley escarpment rising up to 1,829 m. Lastly, the baobab-dotted cliffs and cascading waterfalls during the rainy periods in the park.
Getting To Lake Manyara National Park: A Detailed Guide & Map
Lake Manyara Park in Tanzania is accessible by road or air. The fastest transportation mode is air but obviously expensive and recommended for those who want Luxury Tanzania safari tours. On the other hand, road transport is more adventurous, slower but cheaper hence a recommendation for budget travellers to Lake Manyara.
Getting to Lake Manyara NP by Road:
This is one of the easiest ways of getting to lake Manyara national park, as one can get to have a drive of about 2 hours from Arusha, which is proximately (125 km) via a good tarmac road. During this drive one can even get a stopover en route to Ngorongoro Crater or Serengeti national park.
How to get to Lake Manyara by Air:
Termed as the quickest way to get to the park, using scheduled flights from Arusha, Serengeti NP and Zanzibar as offered by Lake Manyara Airstrip located near the park. Also, sightseers who may wish to opt for Charter flights, they can also be arranged for flexibility. You can use domestic flights from Arusha Airport or Kilimanjaro International Airport to Lake Manyara Airstrip.
Lake Manyara National Park Map
Climate of Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National park has tropical savannah climate. Temperatures stay pretty consistent throughout the seasons, hovering around 25-30°C (77-86°F) during the day. With evenings cooling off to 14-19°C (57-66°F) perfect for early morning Lake Manyara game drives when you’ll want a light jacket. Lake Manyara National park sits at an elevation of about 850-2000 meters. So, this keeps things from getting too sweltering in the park. So, annual rainfall in Lake Manyara region averages 650-760mm mostly in distinct wet and dry periods.
The dry season from June has minimal rain to October so, the sunny skies dominate. Hence, creating the best conditions for exploring the Lake Manyara park’s top tourist attractions. Then there’s the wet season from November to May, divided into short rains (November-December). Also, longer, heavier downpours (March-May), with a possible drier break in January-February.
What really makes the climate shine is how it ties into the park’s star attractions. Hence, turning seasonal shifts into opportunities for different Lake Manyara safari experiences. In the dry months, wildlife viewing is a top thing to do in Lake Manyara NP. So, animals like elephants, giraffes, buffalo, zebras, and the famous tree-climbing lions congregate around the alkaline Lake Manyara hence easily spotted.
Flip to the wet season, and the park changes into a green paradise that supercharges its Tanzania birdwatching tours in the area. Birding tours in Lake Manyara are some of its biggest draws, with over 400 bird species flocking here. Migratory birds to Lake Mayara arrive in droves, joining residents like flamingos, pelicans, and storks that live near the lake and wetlands.
Worst/Best Time to Visit Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania
Just like the rest of the Tanzania parks, its wise to know the best and worst time to visit lake Manyara national park for a safari. Here is what you need to know about the ideal times to visit this park of before making your bookings for a safari.
Best months to Visit to visit Lake Manyara Park (June to October)
June and October are known to be the best months to visit Tanzania for a safari in Lake Manyara national park. Additionally, they are also the dry months of the year. Wildlife viewing in Lake Manyara region during this time is excellent. Its because animals usually tend to congregate around permanent water sources such as Lake Manyara, Endabash River and Bagayo River.
Hence, this rewards animal viewing to be very easy and super predictable during your Lake Manyara safari. Also, vegetation around Lake Manyara is sparse in areas such as Msasa Picnic Site permitting better visibility of animals through the bush.
The roads in and outside Lake Manyara NP are perfectly dry so navigable with ease and this enables smooth Lake Manyara safari experiences. Some of these mostly used roads within lake Manyara national park include Park Main Gate to Msasa Picnic Site, Endabash River Track, Lakeshore Drive and Hot Springs Track.
Worst Time to Visit Lake Manyara (March to May)
Roads to Lake Manyara National Park like Bagayo River Loop, Lakeshore Loop (Southern Section), Hot Springs Track and Endabash Lower Tracks are muddy and slippery. Hence, making it hard to navigate the park especially in low-lying areas and bad safari experiences on your trip to Lake Manyara NP.
Also, wildlife is more dispersed, as animals no longer have to only congregate around permanent water sources like Lake Manyara. Lastly, the grass thickens making it hard to spot animals on your Tanzania safari to lake Manyara NP.
Wildlife in Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara national park is home to various wildlife in Tanzania hence a great destination for top safari tour experiences in the country. The national park is known to have a 30% animal density of mammal species, Endemic fish like the Oreochromis amphimelas. Also, over 487 recorded bird species and very many other as below explained in details;
1) Mammals 30% of the total animal density
When it comes to mammals in Lake Manyara National Park, it hosts over 50 mammal species. Some of these mammals include; tree climbing lions, buffalo’s, elephants’ giraffes, zebras. Other mammals in Lake Manyara region are baboons, hippos, Warthogs and many others. Hence, while at the park, you’re assured of a mind-blowing mammal encounter.
2) Birdlife 65%
Lake Manyara region is a top birdwatching destination Tanzania. So, it has over 489 bird species. Also, during the rainy season from March to May, Lake Manyara tends to host over 2 millions bird species. Birds in this park are spotted in different areas like Lake Manyara, Msasa River, Endabash River and the groundwater forest and woodland zones. Some unique bird species you spot during your birding tours in Lake Manyara NP include Flamingos, Pelicans, Storks, Herons. Other bird species include Kingfishers, African fish eagles, Hornbills, Migratory birds and many others.
3) Reptiles and Amphibians (5% of total animal density in Lake Manyara NP)
Apart from the fascinating wildlife, lake Manyara national park is also home to numerous reptiles and amphibians. additionally, they include: monitor lizards, snakes, terrapins also Nile crododiles can be see when lucky. Reptiles and amphibians are mostly seen around the Endabash River delta, Hippo Pool, and lake edges in Lake Manyara NP Tanzania.
Top Tourist Attractions in Lake Manyara region
Lake Manyara national park is home to numerous wildlife and as earlier mentioned. So, amongst its major tourist attractions are tree-climbing lions and the Rift Valley escarpment. This Tanzania National Park has many tourist attractions which are really mind blowing. So, make your Lake Manyara National Park safari excellent by witnessing these top attractions during your wildlife safari in Tanzania.
1. Lake Manyara
It’s found in the Eastern section of the park. This is one of the iconic attractions found in lake Manyara national Park. The national park was named after this lake because it covers its largest percentage area of over two-thirds of the park’s area. Lake Manyara is a shallow alkaline lake and a seasonal haven for thousands of flamingos, pelicans, and other aquatic birds. There are boat safaris with stop overs at Msasa Viewing Platform best for lake views and also at Hippo Pool Viewing Platform.
2. Tree-Climbing Lions in Lake Manyara NP
This is one of the unique attractions in lake Manyara NP. Tree climbing lions come in as the second most sought for attractions within this park. During your safari to Lake Manyara Park, you’ll witness these lions as they are lounging in the acacia trees. Tree-Climbing Lions are mostly spotted in the Tarosero and Endabash areas in Lake Manyara region. Also, in mahali pa simba(“Place of Lions” which is a well-known area in the national park).
3. Hot Springs (Maji Moto)
Maji moto are Swahili words interpreted as hot springs. They’re located in the southern end of the park, are just the perfect location to end your lake Manyara safari from. So, it’s because of the great photographic views and you also get to learn more about the geology of the park.
This geothermal feature in Lake Manyara Tanzania is found near Maji moto Boardwalk Trail. So, visitors to the national park cannot skip to have a memorable Africa safari tour experience.
4. Great Rift Valley Escarpment
This is a well-respected tourist attraction found in the park. Also, this Rift Valley wall rises abruptly from the plains. Hence creating a stunning panoramic viewpoint over the Lake Manyara region.
Witness this dramatic escarpment in the Western boundary of the park in Tanzania. Also, visit areas like the Maji moto Escarpment Viewpoint, the Msasa Picnic Site found in base of the escarpment. These features are perfect for Tanzania photo safaris in Lake Manyara National Park.
5. Groundwater Forest
This groundwater forest is found in the Northern entrance zone of Lake Manyara national park. In addition, this forest is near Majimoto Forest Trail and Endala Picnic Site in Tanzania. The groundwater forest in Lake Manyara NP is made up of lush, evergreen forest sustained by underground springs. Lastly, it’s a home to several monkeys, baboons, bushbucks, and a variety of birds hence a visit is worth.
Top Things to do in Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania
Explore the top things to do in Tanzania’s Lake Manyara national park. This park offers mind blowing safari activities to adventurer like Canoeing, birding. Other safari activities and Tanzania things to do in Lake Manyara NP are below.
1. Lake Manyara Safari Game Drives
Game drives at this Tanzania park are usually started from the main park gate. So, visitors are driven within the park during mostly the morning and evening game drives around lake Manyara. Hence, permitting them to witness tourist attractions in lake Manyara NP and wildlife like the famous tree-climbing lions, elephants, and others.
2. Bird Watching tours in Lake Manyara
Witness over 65% of these bird species and even more during the wet seasons. Additionally, Lake Manyara Park Tanzania harbours over 2millions bird species in the wet season so the perfect time for these unique safari holidays in Africa. Some to the birds that sightseers can get to see include Flamingos, Pelicans, Storks, Herons, Kingfishers, African fish eagles, Hornbills, Migratory birds etc.
3. Canoeing and boat safaris in Lake Manyara Tanzania(Seasonal)
Canoeing on lake Manyara is a seasonal activity mostly carried out during the wet seasons. It’s because in the rainy season lake levels rise. Hence, canoeing and boat safaris in Lake Manyara become possible with unique opportunity of viewing aquatic wildlife and bird species. Boat safaris are specifically carried out on Lake Manyara and in locations close to the park’s western or southern shores.
4. Nature Walks in Lake Manyara Forests
Together with well-trained guides, those interested in sightseeing tours in Tanzania have chances for nature walk treks through the Lake Manyara national park. Witness the groundwater forest and open areas on foot while learning about the flora, animal tracks, and the ecosystem of the forest up-close.
5. Go for Cultural Tours in the Lake Manyara region
While at the Lake national park, you can engage in cultural tours in Tanzania. Visit the nearby areas to this park such as Mto wa Mbu village which is known for over 120 ethnic groups living in harmony in the area. Additionally, learn more about the different lifestyles and Cultural experiences including local food, banana beer tasting, and handicrafts.
Where to Stay in Lake Manyara Park, Tanzania
Visitors can choose from a variety of accommodations near Lake Manyara in Tanzania. These range from luxury lodges and tented camps within the park to budget-friendly hotels in nearby Mto wa Mbu village. Popular lodge and hotels options include;
1) Lake Manyara Luxury Lodges
These lodges provide the most high-end kind of personalized services to clients. Therefore giving excellent comfort as of each room weather double or single room selection.
- Andbeyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge
- Escarpment Luxury Lodge
2) Midrange Hotels in Lake Manyara NP
Midrange lodges and hotels in this park also have quality services. Additionally, they provide comfortable tents or lodges hence, making them second in selection for almost close to high-end services.
- Manyara Wildlife Safari Camp
- Kirurumu Manyara Lodge
3) Budget Campsites in this park
Looking for comfort but on a budget level, lake manyara national park also has budget accommodations to cover you up during your safari. So, they offer the best services and at budget level. Therefore giving you a sense of peace and still in the budget.
- Twiga Campsite & Lodge
- Migunga Forest Camp
Lake Manyara Park Entrance Fees (2025 Estimates)
This park is visited at a cost just like other national parks in Tanzania. Lake Manyara National Park entry fees that are paid help to manage and maintain the park to look stunning as it looks. These safari prices are not fixed and change depending on the government and the seasons as well. Below are the current park entry fees to lake Manyara in Tanzania as of 2025.
- Non-Resident Adults: $50 per day
- Children (5–15 years): $30
- Tanzanian Citizens: TZS 10,000
- East African Residents: $25
Entry Gates to Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara Tanzania is known to have one entry point to its perimeters. So, this is the Lake Manyara Gate or some others know it as Marang Forest Gate. Additionally, this gate is situated very close to the town of Mto wa Mbu. So, it’s the main entrance to all travellers to this park and easily accessible via the Arusha–Dodoma Road.
Affordable luxury Lake Manyara safari packages
Our safari experts from Tanzania National Parks, provide the best Affordable luxury Lake Manyara safari packages. Book your safari to lake Manyara either an exclusive on inclusive bespoke trip with us for top experiences.
