1
Year round
Groundwater forest
Just inside the gate: tall evergreen forest fed by springs from the escarpment, with baboons, blue monkeys and elephants.
Tanzania safari
Lake Manyara
Forest, grassland and a soda lake beneath the Rift Valley wall, on the road to the crater.
A small park beneath the Rift Valley wall, with more variety than its size suggests.
Lake Manyara packs groundwater forest, open grassland and a shallow soda lake into a narrow strip under a steep escarpment. It is an easy half day on the way to the crater.
- Area
- About 330 km², much of it lake
- Status
- National park
- From Arusha
- About two hours by road
- Worth
- A half day to a full day
Where to stay
From the forest to the lake
The park is a single road running south between the escarpment and the water, passing through each of its habitats in turn.
2
Year round
Grassland and hippo pool
Open ground near the lake shore where grazers gather, and a hippo pool that is often a highlight of the drive.
Wet months
Lake shore
Shallow, alkaline water. Flamingos and pelicans gather here when the level suits, which changes from year to year.
Dry season
Southern woodland
Acacia woodland and hot springs near the southern end, less visited and a good place to look for lions resting in trees.
Experiences
What to do in Lake Manyara
Game drives
A half-day or full-day drive along the park road, usually on the way from Arusha to the Ngorongoro Crater.
Birding
The mix of forest, grassland and lake makes it one of the best short birding stops on the northern circuit.
Treetop walkway
A suspended walkway runs through the forest canopy near the gate, at extra cost. Ask us if you would like it included.
Why people come
Variety in a small space: forest, grassland, lake and escarpment, all within a few hours’ drive.
On the way
It sits on the road from Arusha towards the crater and the Serengeti, so it adds a lot for very little extra travel.
Something to think about
Tree-climbing lions and flamingos are what people ask about, and neither can be relied on. Come for the park as a whole.
When to go
Month by month
Manyara is worth visiting all year. The dry months are easiest for game; the wet months bring birds, and flamingos come and go with the water level.
- Dry, usually easiest for game
- Short rains or changing
- Long rains
January
Green season
A drier break between the rains. Green, with good birding.
February
Green season
Warm and green. Flamingos may be present if the lake level suits.
March
Long rains
The long rains usually begin; some tracks become muddy.
April
Long rains
Typically the wettest month. Quiet, lush, and some roads may close.
May
Rains easing
The rains ease towards the end of the month.
June
Dry season begins
Easier driving and animals easier to find as vegetation thins.
July
Dry season
Dry and pleasant, and a good month for game viewing.
August
Dry season
Dry and busier, often combined with a crater visit.
September
Dry season
Still dry, with animals drawn towards the forest springs.
October
Late dry season
Warm and dusty; the lake may shrink back from the shore.
November
Short rains
Afternoon showers and fresh green growth. Migrant birds arrive.
December
Short rains
Green and quieter, with good birding.
Wildlife
What you are likely to see in Lake Manyara
No guide can promise a sighting. These are the animals the park is best known for.
Baboons and monkeys
Large troops in the forest
Lion
Occasionally seen resting in trees
Flamingo
The lake, when the water level suits
Hippo
The hippo pool near the shore
Elephant
Forest and woodland
Birds
Forest, grassland and water birds
Lake Manyara
Frequently asked questions
Is Lake Manyara worth visiting?
Yes, as part of a longer safari. It is small and close to the road to the crater, and its forest and lake feel different from the other parks. On its own it is not a reason to travel.
Will I see tree-climbing lions?
Possibly, but it is not something to plan around. Lions here are sometimes seen resting in trees, but sightings are irregular.
Are there always flamingos?
No. Flamingos come and go with the lake’s water and food, so numbers change from month to month and year to year.
How long do I need?
A half day covers the main road through the forest to the hippo pool. A full day lets you reach the southern end.
Can I add Lake Manyara to a short safari?
Yes. It is the usual addition that turns a two-day safari into three, with less driving each day.