Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park stretches along the foot of the western escarpment of the Great Rift Valley in northern Tanzania. It became a national park in 1960, was later extended, and now covers about 648.7 km² according to Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA). UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere programme recognised it as part of a biosphere reserve in 1981.

For its size, Manyara packs in a lot of variety. Springs seeping from the base of the escarpment feed a green groundwater forest at the northern end; beyond it lie acacia woodland, grassy floodplain and the shallow alkaline lake itself. In the south, hot springs bubble up at between about 40 °C and 75.8 °C, a reminder that the Rift Valley is still geologically active.

Manyara sits right on the main road from Arusha to Ngorongoro and the Serengeti, so most people see it as a half-day or full-day stop. That is a reasonable way to use it. The honest trade-off is that it is smaller and busier near the main gate than the big parks, and game viewing is less concentrated than in Tarangire in the dry season.

Do lions really climb trees in Lake Manyara?

Sometimes, yes, but do not plan your trip around it. Manyara's lions are known for resting on broad acacia branches during the heat of the day, and TANAPA features them heavily in its marketing. TANAPA's own park brochure is more measured: it points out that lions in many parts of Africa spend time in trees, probably to escape biting flies, and that Manyara's lions are not a different kind of lion.

Lions in the park are not seen on every visit, let alone up a tree. Treat a tree-lion sighting as a bonus. The more reliable draws are elephants in the forest and woodland, baboon troops that TANAPA reputes to be among the largest in Africa, blue monkeys in the groundwater forest, and hippos in the pools near the lake shore.

What makes Lake Manyara different from other parks?

The setting. The escarpment wall rises steeply along the western edge, so you drive with forest and cliffs on one side and the lake flats on the other. TANAPA describes at least five distinct habitats side by side in a small area, from wet forest with mahogany and fig trees to dry acacia bush and open lake shore.

It also has history. The biologist Iain Douglas-Hamilton carried out his pioneering study of African elephants here, described in his book Among the Elephants.

Is Lake Manyara good for birdwatching?

Very. TANAPA lists more than 390 bird species, and the lake shore, forest and woodland each hold different ones. Rafts of pelicans work the shallows, and at some times of year TANAPA reports huge numbers of flamingos on the lake. Their numbers vary a lot, so they are sometimes far out on the water and sometimes barely present.

What activities are there besides game drives?

Manyara offers more variety than its size suggests. TANAPA lists:

• Tree canopy walkway: one of the longest in Africa, with viewing decks among the treetops, done with a guide.
• Guided walks, arranged with the park, including a hike towards the Marang forest via the Iyambi River in the south.
• Night game drives.
• Canoeing, when the lake level allows.
• Bush meals at designated sites.

In the south of the park a walkway runs out over the hot springs and reed beds, with views up and down this part of the Rift Valley.

How long should you spend at Lake Manyara?

Half a day covers the northern forest and lake shore; a full day lets you reach the hot springs in the south. Most itineraries fit Manyara between Tarangire and Ngorongoro, with a night in Mto wa Mbu or Karatu, or along the escarpment above the park.

TANAPA suggests a useful variation: enter Tarangire, leave through its western Sangaiwe Gate, and drive the full length of Manyara from the southern gate to the north on the way to Ngorongoro and the Serengeti.

Is Lake Manyara worth visiting on a short safari?

On a short trip, yes, because it costs almost no extra travel time: the park sits on the road you are already driving. It is also a good choice for a first game drive after a Kilimanjaro climb, when a gentle half day suits tired legs better than a long day in the Serengeti. See Kilimanjaro and safari for how the two combine.

If your time is very limited and you must choose one park before Ngorongoro, Tarangire usually gives more big game in the dry season, while Manyara gives more variety of scenery and birds. You can ask Kili Aventura which fits your dates better.

Sources

• Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) — Lake Manyara National Park
• Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) — National parks brochure
• Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) — Northern Zone national parks quick reference guide (October 2024)

Checked 2026-09-25.

About 115 km according to TANAPA, roughly two hours by road on tarmac. The park gate is close to the town of Mto wa Mbu, and Karatu is about 30 km further on.

No. Lions in Manyara sometimes rest in trees, but lions are not seen on every visit, and TANAPA's own brochure notes that lions elsewhere in Africa do the same. Treat it as a bonus rather than a reason to go.

The park is open all year. The dry seasons, roughly June to October and January to February, are the most popular. The wetter months are good for birds and greenery, with fewer vehicles.

Often, but not always. Flamingos gather on the lake at some times of year and their numbers vary widely. When they are present they can be far out on the lake, so binoculars help.

Half a day is enough to see the groundwater forest and the northern lake shore. Allow a full day if you want to reach the hot springs in the south or do the canopy walkway as well.