LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK
Located at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment near Arusha, Lake Manyara National park is one of Tanzania’s most scenic and ecologically wealthy parks. The park is approximately a 2 hour drive from Arusha, making it an easily accessible destination for safari enthusiasts.
While the wildlife may not be as many as in other parks like Tarangire National Park and the Serengeti National Park, it has beautiful landscapes and it the ideal place for nature lovers to relax and unwind on the very first days of your safari.
Lake Manyara National Park has a forest that is fed by underground water sources, you can visit Lake Manyara National park thought out the year. Lake Manyara is a low depth alkaline lake, which covers two thirds of the national park in green season. Around the lake you will find open grasslands, seasonal swamps and acacia forests creating a rich habitat for diverse wildlife
Lake Manyara was designated as a National Park in 1960 by the Tanzanian government, making it one of the country’s earliest protected areas. The goal was to conserve its unique combination of groundwater forest, open savannah, marshland, and lake habitat each hosting a wide variety of animals, including the famous tree-climbing lions, large elephant herds, and diverse birdlife.
BEST TIME TO VISIT LAKE MANYARA
Is a year round destination, but the best time depends on what you want to see. The park offers different experiences throughout the year making it diverse destination for all types of travellers. Whether you’re seeking wildlife sighting, bird watching or just stunning landscapes.
But during the dry season (June to October) is perfect for wildlife viewing and Bird lovers should visit November to April during the wet season when migratory birds including flamingos fill the shores.
THINGS TO DO IN AND AROUND LAKE MANYARA
Game drive
A game drive in Lake Manyara is one of the most rewarding experiences for wildlife enthusiasts. The park may be small compared to others in Tanzania, but it’s incredibly rich in biodiversity and scenery.
As you enter the park, you’re greeted by dense groundwater forests home to baboons, blue monkeys, bushbucks, and an array of birds. As the landscape opens into woodlands and grassy floodplains, larger animals like elephants, giraffes, zebras, and buffaloes become more visible.
One of the park’s unique highlights is the chance to spot tree climbing lions a rare habit seen in very few parts of Africa. The lions often perch on branches during the heat of the day, providing a rare and captivating sight.
The lake itself draws thousands of flamingos and other water birds. Along its shores, you may also spot hippos wallowing in the water or resting in the mud. The Rift Valley escarpment provides a stunning backdrop throughout your drive, adding to the scenic beauty.
Game drives can be done in the morning or afternoon, and some lodges offer full-day safaris with picnic lunches. The well maintained roads and variety of ecosystems make Lake Manyara perfect for both first-time and seasoned safari-goers.
Walking safaris
A walking safari in Manyara National Park is an intimate and exhilarating way to experience the wilderness far beyond what you see from a vehicle. Unlike game drives, where you’re a passive observer, a walking safari places you on foot in the wild, guided by experienced armed rangers and naturalists.
These safaris usually take place in designated areas of the Manyara park where walking is permitted. They’re typically done in the early morning or late afternoon when temperatures are cooler.
You’re always accompanied by a professional guide and an armed ranger. They’re trained to ensure your safety while respecting the animals’ space.
Canoeing
Canoeing on Lake Manyara offers a rare and peaceful safari experience gliding across the water with panoramic views of the Rift Valley escarpment and the surrounding wilderness. It’s a quiet, non-intrusive way to observe wildlife and soak in the park’s unique atmosphere
Expect to see Wildlife from the water you will spot hippos in the shallows, elephants along the shore, giraffes bending to drink, and buffaloes cooling off in the mud.
Canoeing is also best for bird watchers. Paddle among flocks of flamingos, pelicans, storks, kingfishers, and many other water birds.
Bird watching
Lake Manyara is one of Tanzania’s top bird watching destinations, offering an extraordinary variety of birdlife in a compact area. With over 400 recorded species, it’s a paradise for both seasoned birders and curious travellers alike.
What makes Lake Manyara special for bird watching is its incredible diversity of habitats that attract a wide range of species. During the wet season, the lake’s shallow alkaline waters transform into a pink spectacle as thousands of greater and lesser flamingos feed along the shores. The lake’s edge is also home to an array of water birds including pelicans, herons, egrets, storks, spoonbills, and African jacanas.
In the forested areas along the Rift Valley escarpment, birders can spot hornbills, turacos, kingfishers, barbets, and crowned eagles. Meanwhile, the open grasslands host ground and savanna species such as ostriches, kori bustards, secretary birds, lapwings, and colourful bee eaters, making the park a truly rewarding destination for bird enthusiasts.
Treetop walkway Lake Manyara
The treetop walkway at Lake Manyara is a thrilling canopy level experience that lets you walk among treetops while observing wildlife and birds from an elevated perspective. During the walk guides will point out interesting facts about Lake Manyara flora and fauna while you can enjoy a wide variety of birds calling from above.
Along the way you can spot Monkeys swinging through branches and colourful butterflies fluttering by. This is a great outdoor activity for nature lovers and adventure.
- Location: Inside Lake Manyara National Park
- Height: 18 meters above the ground
- Best time to visit: 6-10am
- Nearby attractions: Mto wa mbu village and Lake Manyara view point( Rift Valley escarpment)
Village walk in Mto wa Mbu
A village walk in Mto wa Mbu is one of the best cultural experiences near Lake Manyara, offering an immerse glimpse into Tanzania rural life. The walk takes through local market tour, Banana Plantation Tour, Art & Craft Workshops and traditional homesteads.
- Location: Mto wa Mbu
- Duration: 4 hours
Hiking in forest
Hike down the Great Rift Valley through a dense ground water forest. You can see birds, bush buck, animals and other forest animals
- Location: Outside the park
- Duration: 2hrs
Mountain Biking to Lake Manyara
Immerse yourself in the rich cultures as you begin on a captivating 3 hour mountain bike journey through the farming village of Mto wa Mbu.
This unique ride offers plenty of opportunities to explore local farms take in the sights and sounds of this lively village and genuinely connect with the community.
What Makes Lake Manyara Special
The Iconic Lake Itself
The lake is a shallow, alkaline body of water that forms the heart of the park. During the wet season, it expands dramatically, covering nearly two-thirds of the park’s area. It becomes a haven for thousands of flamingos, giving it a pink hue from afar. The lake also supports large populations of pelicans, storks, herons, and other water birds, making it a birdwatcher’s paradise.
Tree-Climbing Lions
Lake Manyara is famously one of the few places in Africa where lions are known to regularly climb trees. While lions elsewhere may do this occasionally, in Manyara, it’s a common habit possibly to escape insects or enjoy cool breezes. Spotting one of these majestic cats perched on a branch is a true highlight of any visit.
Stunning Rift Valley Scenery
The park lies at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, which towers over the landscape. This towering wall of rock creates incredible views and contributes to the park’s microclimates. The contrast between the lush groundwater forests, the dry savannah, the glittering lake, and the steep cliffs is visually striking and makes game drives incredibly scenic.
SHOULD YOU VISIT LAKE MANYARA?
Absolutely! Lake Manyara National park is worth visiting to witness tree climbing lions, flamingo filled lakeshores and lush groundwater forests that offers a short but fulfilling experience.