Lake Manyara National Park
Tree-climbing lions and flamingos.
Best Time
June–October & January–March
Region
Rift Valley
Area
330 km²
Style
Private safari
Overview
About Lake Manyara
A narrow strip of forest, lake and Rift Valley wall, compact, varied and surprisingly rich. Famous for its tree-climbing lions and the pink halo of flamingos along the lake's edge.
A jewel-box ecosystem
Lake Manyara packs an astonishing variety into a thin strip squeezed between the Rift Valley escarpment and the soda lake. Groundwater forest, acacia woodland, open grassland, hot springs and the lake's flamingo-pink shoreline all sit within a single morning's drive.
The famous tree-climbing lions
Manyara's lions are well-known for resting in the branches of acacia and sausage trees. Sightings are not guaranteed but the park is one of only a handful in Africa where this behaviour is regular.
Beyond the game drive
Manyara is one of the few parks where you can walk a treetop canopy walkway, mountain bike along the rim, or visit working hot springs (Maji Moto). It works well as an active half-day or full-day stop on the way to the Crater.
Wildlife you'll see
- Tree-climbing lion
- Elephant
- Hippo
- Flamingo
- Baboon
Highlights
- ✦Forest game drives
- ✦Treetop walkway
- ✦Hot springs
Things to do
When to go
Best wildlife concentration; great birding too.
Flamingo numbers peak on the lake.
Getting there
1.5-hour drive from Arusha; usually paired with Tarangire.
On the map
Lake Manyara National Park
- 1Lake Manyara National Park
Insider tips
- ★Plan a half-day game drive plus the canopy walkway for a varied stop.
- ★Stay on the rim with a Rift Valley view for sunset - it is one of the great vistas in Tanzania.
- ★Pair Manyara with Tarangire for an easy two-park combo before Ngorongoro.
Frequently asked questions
Is Manyara worth a full day?+
For most travellers, half a day is enough inside the park. Add the canopy walkway or hot springs to make a full day.
Will I see the tree-climbing lions?+
They are present but not guaranteed. Your guide knows where they have been resting recently.
When are the flamingos in?+
Numbers peak between January and March, with thousands of birds along the lake's edge.
From the journal
Read about Lake Manyara
Continue exploring
