Tanzania
Lake Manyara National Park Overview
Tree-climbing lions, flamingo shores, and a world in miniature.
June to October (Easier to spot animals)
July to March (The northern section gets crowded)
330km² / 127mi²
934-1,325m / 3,064-4,347ft
Lake Manyara packs more biodiversity into its 325 square kilometres than parks ten times its size. A soda lake shimmering pink with flamingos. A groundwater forest where elephants browse in cathedral-like shade. And the famous tree-climbing lions - draped across mahogany branches in the heat of the afternoon. It is Tanzania in miniature.
Tree-Climbing Lions
Lake Manyara's lions have developed the unusual behaviour of climbing trees - lounging on branches of mahogany and acacia trees, sometimes four or five metres above the ground. The reason is debated; the result is one of the most photographed sights in East Africa.
The Flamingo Lake
The alkaline lake occupies two-thirds of the park and attracts enormous flocks of flamingos - sometimes hundreds of thousands, turning the shoreline pink. The lake also draws pelicans, storks, and over 400 bird species in total.
Perfect Day Trip
Lake Manyara is just 90 minutes from Arusha and can be explored in a half or full day. This makes it ideal as a first or last stop on a northern circuit safari - a gentle introduction before the scale of the Serengeti, or a final wildlife fix before your flight home.
Experience Designer
Brighton Mboya
Regions of Speciality:
Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda
Trip Designer
Brighton has spent the last decade building safaris across the East African circuit, from the Serengeti's migration corridors to the misty volcanoes of Rwanda and the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda. He started out guiding walking safaris in Tarangire, then moved into gorilla and chimp trekking after years escorting researchers through the Albertine Rift. His itineraries turn on the small details most operators skip: the right camp on the right night of the migration, a permit window that lines up with the gorilla family closest to your lodge, a quiet bush airstrip that saves a full day on transfer.
Trip Inspiration
Snapshot of a Day
Your binoculars find a lioness stretched along a mahogany branch, her tail swinging lazily. Below, a herd of elephants moves through the groundwater forest, their shapes dappled by sunlight filtering through the canopy.
Trip Inspiration
Northern Circuit Sampler
Start at Lake Manyara for tree-climbing lions and flamingos, continue to Tarangire for elephants and baobabs, then into the Ngorongoro Crater for the Big Five. Three parks, five days, one unforgettable circuit.
Recommended Duration: 5 days
Best Time To Go: June - October
Things to See & Do: Game drives, birdwatching, crater descent, cultural visits
Don't Miss Out On: Tree-climbing lions, flamingo flocks, Ngorongoro Crater
Featured stays
Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge
Location: Rift Valley escarpment
Kirurumu Manyara Lodge
Location: Rift Valley rim, Lake Manyara
Testimonials
“We almost skipped it. We would have missed the lions in the trees.”
Lake Manyara was supposed to be a quick stop on the way to Ngorongoro. Our guide suggested we take the full morning. Within an hour we had found two lionesses sleeping in a tree, a massive elephant herd in the forest, and thousands of flamingos on the lake. Sometimes the small parks surprise you the most.
— Anna & Peter L. - Stockholm, Sweden
Process
Step 1
Let's connect
Whether you have a specific trip in mind or are looking for inspiration, get in touch with your travel preferences, and one of our specialists will kick off the planning.
Step 2
Detailed Brief
After a conversation to learn more about your trip, you will receive details on an adventure with us, including activities and accommodation options in the destinations.
Step 3
Customized Itinerary and Confirmation
Collaborate with your specialist to adjust and finalize the itinerary. A per-person trip cost is presented once the itinerary is confirmed.
Step 4
Support, Start to Finish
From the moment you arrive until your trip ends, our team is with you. Experienced guides, porters, and a 24/7 support line ensure your safety and enjoyment.
Good to know
Park Size
Lake Manyara is small - most visitors spend a half or full day here rather than overnighting inside the park. The main game-viewing loop can be driven in 3-4 hours, which makes it perfect to combine with Tarangire or Ngorongoro on the same day.
Birdwatching
With over 400 recorded species, Lake Manyara is one of Tanzania's top birding destinations. The groundwater forest, lake shore, and acacia woodlands each host different species. Bring binoculars - this park rewards slow observation.
Rift Valley Views
The park sits at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment. Lodges perched on the rim offer dramatic views across the lake and into the park below - some of the best sundowner spots in Tanzania.
Lake-manyara safaris
3-Day Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire and Lake Manyara NP
On this safari you will visit Lake Manyara National Park, situated in the Rift Valley region. The park is known for its amazing tree-climbing lions. You will also visit Tarangire National Park, famous for its large herds of elephants and its baobab trees. You will then visit the Ngorongoro Crater, one of the major attractions of an African safari. It's the world’s largest intact and unfilled volcanic caldera, and is indeed the flagship tourist attraction of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
4-Day Tanzania Northern Circuit Experience
On this four-day lodge safari, you will visit Lake Manyara National Park, Tarangire National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater, and Serengeti National Park. The seasonal sight of thousands of wildebeests and zebras crossing the grassland savannah is something to behold and is surely one of Africa’s natural wonders. You will be rewarded with beautiful landscapes, an animal-filled crater, and thousands of flamingos on this tour.
5-Day Budget-Private Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire
On this most in-demand safari offered by top rated tour operator, you will visit the great Serengeti National Park. Lake Manyara National Park, a national park in Tanzania situated in the Rift Valley region, is known to have amazing tree-climbing lions. You will also visit Tarangire National Park, famous for its herds of elephants and baobab trees. Finally, you will visit Ngorongoro, one of the main attractions of an African safari.
3-Day Safari from Zanzibar, Tarangire Ngorongoro Manyara
You'll venture on a safari from the pristine beaches of Zanzibar to the heart of Tanzania's wildlife sanctuaries. This exclusive tour takes you through the iconic Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and Ngorongoro Crater national parks, offering unparalleled opportunities to witness the Big Five in their natural habitat. You'll be immersed in comfort with hand-picked accommodations and expert guidance. From the moment you're picked up at your Zanzibar hotel, you can go to the mainland for a safari.
4-Day Zanzibar to Tarangire Serengeti Ngorongoro & More
Embark on this 4-day tour that includes Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara. Tarangire serves as a fantastic introduction to Tanzania's vibrant birdlife, while the Serengeti stands as the country's oldest and largest national park. Finally, discover the stunning Ngorongoro Crater, often called Africa's "Garden of Eden." These renowned parks are highlights of Tanzania's Northern Circuit and are essential stops on your holiday adventure.
4-Day Arusha NP, Tarangire, Ngorongoro & Manyara Safari
A 4 days safari gives you a chance to witness the Big Five animals and other interesting animals. You will be immersed in the unspoiled nature of real Africa. You will see wild animals up close and take photos of the wonderful landscapes of Tanzania. All this with the assistance of a Tour operator based in Arusha, full board on safari, a personal English-speaking guide, and private use of the jeep (with mineral water, power sockets, binoculars) and selected accommodations.
Wildlife in Lake-manyara
Frequently Asked Questions
Lake Manyara's lions are famous for climbing mahogany and acacia trees, lounging on branches several metres above ground. The behaviour is unusual and makes for extraordinary photographs.
Half a day to a full day is sufficient. The main game loop takes 3-4 hours. Most visitors combine it with Tarangire or Ngorongoro on the same day or consecutive days.
Excellent. Over 400 bird species have been recorded, including massive flocks of flamingos on the alkaline lake, pelicans, storks, and kingfishers.
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