Lake Manyara National Park Featured, Parks and Reserves
The spectacular alkaline Lake Manyara forms the centre point of this small and very beautiful, park with surprisingly diverse fauna and flora. A circuit drive through the park passes through forest, wetlands, grassy plains and acacia forests, each offering views of different animals and multitudes of birds. Elephant, hippo, giraffe, tree-climbing lions and baboons are just a few of the game that call Manyara ‘home’.
* Lake Manyara National Park Highlights
- ∞Tree-climbing lions, good elephant sightings and many baboons
- ∞Incredible birdlife, including over 300 migratory bird species including flamingo and long-crested eagles
- ∞Lake Manyara is a beautiful, alkaline lake with the Rift Valley escarpment providing a spectacular backdrop
- ∞Round-trip drive that includes diverse habitats and animals
- ∞Night safaris
- ∞Guided walks, hiking, village trips, abseiling and mountain biking offered just outside the park
A small park, with the alkaline (pH over 9) Lake Manyara covering over 230 km² of its 330 km² surface during the wet season, Lake Manyara National Park offers visitors beautiful scenery and a compact, round-trip game-viewing circuit.
Towering above the park, the volcanic peaks of the Rift Valley Escarpment provide a spectacular backdrop to the park, with its floodplains, forested and lake areas. Ernest Hemingway declared it the loveliest park he’d been to in Africa, and it's not hard to see why!
Inside The Park
Expect to see multitudes of baboons, plenty of elephant, blue monkeys, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, tiny dik-diks and the well-known tree-climbing lions. Be sure to look up to spot them lazing in the acacia trees.
With a surprisingly diverse number of habitats in a small area – forest, grassy floodplains, the lake itself and acacia woodland – the park provides home to a wide range of animals and incredible birdlife. It’s a birdwatcher’s paradise, with a huge range of bird species, including pink-plumed flamingos and many raptors.
Staying in Manyara
Within the park, there is one luxury camp. With suites designed around the trees in a secluded, forested area of the park, this exclusive spot is the height of luxurious safari. Just outside the park, there are a number of lodges and camps that range from basic to high-end luxury.
Getting There
By Road: Lake Manyara National Park is about 150 km from Arusha (about a 2- to 3-hour drive).
By Air: Arusha is served by two airports. Arusha Airport has daily flights from numerous local destinations and Kilimanjaro International Airport has daily flights from local, African and international airlines. Flights can be booked from Arusha to Manyara Airstrip (30-minute flight).
Before you go to Lake Manyara National Park Things you should know before you go!
Malaria is a consideration in Lake Manyara National Park
Learn more about malaria areas and malaria prevention with our resource article.
Malaria Areas & Prevention