Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park is a popular destination because of its breathtaking scenery, the enormous soda lake full of flamingos and outstanding bird life. You can see huge troops of baboons roaming around in the forest, but also herds of elephants and if you are lucky even some tree-climbing lions. Around the soda lake one can spot a variety of wildlife, like buffaloes, warthogs, giraffes, wildebeest and zebras. You can also enjoy excellent hippo sightings at the shallow Hippo Pool. Sometimes you can find big numbers of them taking a cooling mud-bath and hiding from the hot sun

Rift Valley, hippo pool, birdlife, troops of baboons, flamingos, elephants, giant soda lake, and the beautiful scenery make Lake Manyara incredible Biodiversity
Mto Wa Mbu Cultural Tourism Enterprises

Rift Valley Escarpment

Lake Manyara is also a perfect place to see the spectacular 400-meter-high Rift Valley Escarpment. The Great Rift Valley is a long rift in the earth which runs down the eastern side of Africa. It was formed about 20 to 25 million years ago when the earth’s crust teared apart. This enormous feature is even visible from outer space and looks like two lines running down Africa. It provides unique and diverse habitats. Enjoy acacia woodland, jungle forest, mountain cliffs, hot springs, grassy areas, acacia woodland and the huge soda lake.

Check the VISA EXPEDITIONS to see how Lake Manyara can be incorporated into an ITINERARY!!!

Most common animals in Arusha National Park

  • Zebras
  • Hippos
  • Giraffes
  • Lions
  • Elephants
  • Impalas
  • Wildebeest
  • Buffaloes
  • Flamingos
  • Baboons, Blue monkey

Lake Manyara highlights

  • Giant soda lake that covers almost two-third of the park
  • World’s largest population baboons
  • Park stretches along the Rift Valley Escarpment
  • Hippo pool
  • Hot Springs
  • Birding hotspot: 400 species of birds
  • Excursions and activities in Lake Manyara National Park

Night game drive

  • Canopy Walk/ Treetop Walk
  • Mountainbike tour Lake Manyara
  • Cultural tour Mto wa Mbu
  • Visit Maasai tribe
  • Visit Hadzabe tribe
  • Travel time Lake Manyara
  • Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park: 2,5 hours’ drive
  • Lake Manyara National Park to Tarangire National Park: 1 hour
  • Lake Manyara National Park to Ngorongoro Conservation Area: 1 hour
  • Lake Manyara National Park to Serengeti: 3,5 hours
  • Travel tips from our experts about Lake Manyara
  • My name is Mark and I am a safari guide for 15 years at Lake in Lake Manyara National Park.

Since this is one of the smaller parks in northern Tanzania it’s easy to combine

excursions or activities with a game drive. Our guests like the cultural tour on the mountain bike, but also activities like the canoeing safari and Treetop Walk.

Best time to visit Lake Manyara

The best time to see large animals in Lake Manyara is during the dry season, from July till October. If you are a bird lover you can better visit the park from November till June. During this season you can spot thousands of flamingos as well as pelicans, African Fish Eagle, hornbill, Hamerkop, Black heron, little bee-eater and much more.