What is Lake Manyara?
Lake Manyara National Park sits at the foot of the Rift Valley escarpment, a narrow strip of groundwater forest, acacia woodland and open floodplain squeezed between the cliff and the soda lake that gives the park its name.
It is one of the most compact parks on the northern circuit, which makes it an easy half-day or full-day add-on rather than a standalone multi-night stop. The lake itself, when water levels are right, draws thousands of flamingos and other waterbirds.
Manyara is best known for two things: tree-climbing lions, which rest in the branches of acacia and fig trees in a habit rarely seen elsewhere in Tanzania, and the region's largest troops of baboons, often numbering in the hundreds.
Regions of the park
Manyara is small enough to cover in a single loop, but each stretch has its own character.
The groundwater forest
Just past the gate, a belt of tall mahogany and fig trees fed by underground springs off the escarpment. Home to blue monkeys, troops of baboon, and the best odds of spotting a tree-climbing lion resting in the shade.
The floodplain and lake shore
Open grassland running down to Lake Manyara itself, where hippos, buffalo and elephant gather, and flamingos line the shallows when water levels cooperate.
The Rift Valley escarpment
The dramatic cliff wall that forms the park's western edge, visible from almost every viewpoint and the backdrop for Manyara's night drives and canopy walkway, both unique to this park on the northern circuit.
What you can see
A dense concentration of wildlife in a small area, plus two experiences found nowhere else nearby.
Manyara is also the only park on the northern circuit offering a night game drive and a canopy walkway through the forest canopy, both bookable as add-ons through your lodge or with us in advance.
Bird life is exceptional around the lake shore, with over 400 species recorded, from flamingos and pelicans to fish eagles.
When to visit
Manyara works well year-round, but water levels change what you'll see at the lake.
The dry season (June to October) concentrates wildlife around the remaining water sources and gives the clearest game viewing. The wet season (November to May) is greener and quieter, with better birding and a fuller lake, though flamingo numbers depend on water chemistry that shifts year to year.
Most visitors combine Manyara with Tarangire or Ngorongoro as a stop on the way between the two, rather than a dedicated multi-night destination.
Accommodation options
Most lodges sit just outside the park on the escarpment rim, with views over the lake and floodplain below.
Budget
Camping & simple guesthouses
Public campsites near the park gate and basic guesthouses in Mto wa Mbu town, a short drive away.
Mid-range
Escarpment lodges
Comfortable lodges perched on the Rift Valley rim with panoramic views over the lake and park below.
Luxury
Tented camps & boutique lodges
Boutique tented camps and lodges offering private decks, spa facilities and guided walks along the escarpment.
Because Manyara is usually a stop rather than a multi-night base, many travellers pass through on the way to Serengeti or Ngorongoro without an overnight stay here at all.
Park fees
Official 2024/25 Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) gate fees for non-resident foreign visitors.
| Category | Adult | Child (5–15) |
|---|---|---|
| Park entry (24h) | $53.10 | $17.70 |
| Camping fee | $35.40 | $5.90 |
All figures include 18% VAT. Fees are reviewed by the government and can change without notice. Your written quote from us always states the exact amount for your dates.
Lake Manyara in pictures
Frequently asked questions
Yes, especially as a half-day or full-day stop on the way between Tarangire and Ngorongoro or the Serengeti. It's compact, easy to combine with other parks, and offers tree-climbing lions and forest scenery you won't find elsewhere on the circuit.
No sighting in Africa is guaranteed. The behaviour is well documented at Manyara, but lions move through the forest and aren't visible on every visit. Your guide will know their recent favourite spots.
Half a day covers the main loop and lake shore. A full day allows time to also add the canopy walkway or a night drive, both unique to this park.
Yes, it sits directly on the road between Arusha and the Serengeti/Ngorongoro, so it's almost always visited as a stop within a longer northern circuit itinerary rather than alone.
No. Flamingo numbers depend on the lake's water chemistry and level, which shift with rainfall from year to year. They're a possibility, not a guarantee.