Lake Manyara National Park

Nestled on the famed Northern Circuit, Lake Manyara National Park is the perfect introductory safari or a delightful stopover en route to the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti. This compact gem punches well above its weight, offering a stunningly diverse experience in a single, easily explorable park.

Why Visit Lake Manyara?

• Big Game in a Compact Park: Experience an incredible concentration of wildlife in a short amount of time. The park is world-famous for its tree-climbing lions, often seen lounging in the branches of Acacia trees. You’re also likely to spot elephants, giraffes, zebras, troops of baboons, and large buffalo herds. Don’t miss the hippo pools, where these massive animals can be observed up close.

• A Birder’s Paradise: The alkaline lake attracts thousands of flamingos (lesser and greater) and a spectacular array of other waterbirds, including pelicans and Egyptian geese.

• Stunning Diverse Landscapes: In just one game drive, you’ll journey from a lush groundwater forest, through open grasslands, to the expansive lake shore, all set against the dramatic backdrop of the Great Rift Valley escarpment.

• Active Adventure: For those looking to stretch their legs, the area is a hub for activities like canoeing on the lake, mountain biking, horse riding, and nature walks outside the park boundaries.

• Excellent Value & Ambiance: The park offers a range of well-priced accommodation, many perched on the escarpment rim with breathtaking panoramic views. It’s the ideal place to relax and unwind after a day of exploration.

The Lake Manyara Experience: A Journey Through Diverse Ecosystems

Your safari begins at the park’s sole entrance, leading you into a surprising, dense rainforest alive with chattering blue monkeys and baboons. As you cross rivers and move into more open woodlands, the scenery transforms, revealing the park’s famous flat-topped Acacia trees and the chance to spot those legendary tree-climbing lions.

The journey continues to the hippo pools and the alkaline lake itself, a shimmering pink haze of flamingos in the distance. At the far end of the park lies the Maji Moto Hot Springs, where sulfurous water bubbles from the earth—a fascinating geological wonder. The park is also home to healthy elephant herds, offering incredible, intimate wildlife encounters.