• 10 to 30 square miles
•Excellent hippo viewing
• Unique alkaline lake habitat
• Elevated walkway overlooking flamingos
•Colorful flocks of birds – over 300 species
Lake manyara national park lies in a very dramatic setting against the steep western wall of the Rift Valley located 125 km southwest of Arusha town. It is one of Tanzania’s smallest National Park, with most of its area being covered by the lake. It was established in 1960 having previously been a game reserve, and 1981 became part of a world Biosphere. It is the place where Dr Lain Douglas Hamilton did his pioneer studies on African elephant. Douglas Hamilton’s book ‘Among the Elephants’ is an account of his time in Lake Manyara. At the entrance of the park there is a prevalent tall forest, sustained by underground water dominated by evergreen forest. The majority of the land area of the park is narrow strip running between the Great Rift Valley wall escarpment to the west and lake manyara, an alkaline or soda –lake to the east. Lake Manyara national park is beautiful park with its evergreen vegetation and tropical forests of giant fig and mahogany trees. The park is famous for its tree climbing lions spending most of the day spread out along the branches of sausage trees and acacia. Further on to the Manyara rift valley escarpment the heated volcanic grounds underneath stream out heated water that steams and bubbles adjacent to the lakeshore. The park is particularly noted for its huge herds of buffalo and elephant, also giraffes, hippos, reedbucks, warthog, wildebeests, zebras as well as large troops of baboons and monkeys.
Experiencing lake manyara national park:
We recommend 1-2 days in this park due to its size. Also day trip can be arranged due to its close proximity to Arusha.
The Park is particularly noted for its large troops of baboon and monkeys, huge herds of buffalo and elephant, hippo, giraffe, reedbuck, impala, gazelle, warthog, zebra, wildebeest, leopard and tree climbing lion.
Birdlife is so abundant there are more than 400 different species including flamingoes, pelicans, storks, heron, hornbills, plenty of forest and water birds species without forgetting raptors as well. Lake Manyara national park is a real birdwatcher’s paradise.
Tarangire is one of the finest places in Tanzania to watch big herds of elephant spending most of their time often from a vantage point at a waterhole or swamp drinking and wallowing. Other wildlife are; buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, oryx, eland, kudus, impala, gazelle, warthog, baboon, vervet monkey, lion,leopard and cheetah.
∙ Day and night game drive ∙ Bird watching ∙ Canoeing ∙ Cycling ∙ Lake Manyara forest canopy walk ∙ Rift Valley escarpment nature walk with stunning views ∙ Cultural tours at Mto wa mbu village and waterfalls visit
2 hour drive from Arusha.
Year around although some exceptions in the event of an extreme weather conditions especially during a long rain season, please consult our safari experts on updated advice.
Accommodations found inside Lake Manyara National Park
- Lake Manyara tree Lodge
- Tortilis Tented Camp
Accommodations found outside Lake Manyara National Park
- Lake Manyara Serena Lodge
- Lake Manyara Kilimamoja Lodge
- Lake Manyara Secret Lodge
- Escarpement Lodge
- Lake Manyara Kirurumu Tented Lodge