Known for its tree-climbing lions and varied landscapes, Lake Manyara National Park is located 114 km west of Arusha. Most of the park area is covered by Lake Manyara itself. Besides that, the park also encompasses marshlands, saline flats and a grassy floodplain.
The park covers 325 sq km of which 230 sq km is occupied by the lake. Though it is much smaller compared to Serengeti and Tarangire, it is a great addition to your ‘Northern Circuit’ safari itinerary.
We visited this park as part of our 5-day safari trip in Tanzania. In this guidebook, we will share everything you should know to plan your visit to Lake Manyara National Park.
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Some Background of The Park
Once a sport hunting area, it became a game reserve in 1957 and was upgraded to a national park in 1960.
The park is situated between Lake Manyara and the Great Rift Valley. It is part of the much larger Lake Manyara Biosphere Reserve, established in 1981 by UNESCO.
The management of the park is overseen by The Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA).
How To Get To Lake Manyara National Park
Arusha is the gateway to Tanzania’s ‘Northern Circuit’ safari that includes Lake Manyara National Park. You can book a private tour or a group tour to visit the park from Arusha. It takes around 2 to 2.5 hours to get there by road.
How To Get To Arusha
The nearest major airport to Arusha is Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) which is about 50 km away. From the airport, you can take an airport shuttle or book a private car to reach Arusha.
If you do not find a flight from your city to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you can also fly into Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR). It is Tanzania’s busiest airport, located in the capital city of Dar es Salaam.
From Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR), take a domestic flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK).
Things To Do in Lake Manayara National Park
Game drives are the best way to explore this national park and see a variety of wildlife in their natural habitat.
From the park entrance, we drove close to 30 minutes to get to the shores of Lake Manyara. We scanned the area with our binoculars for mammals and birds particularly waterbirds.
There were no animals but plenty of birds feasting on algae in the shallow waters.
We managed to spot yellow-billed stork, great egret, open-billed stork, silvery-cheeked hornbills and more. Over 390 species of birds have been recorded in the park.
Flamingos are a star attraction of Lake Manyara National Park, but you can see them during migratory season only. When we were there, it wasn’t the season for flamingo migration.
Apart from birdlife, the park also boasts astounding diversity of mammals, reptiles, and insects. We spotted large herds of water buffaloes grazing in the swamp area.
Upon moving further, we stopped to watch an elephant family comprising the matriarch, young mothers, juveniles, and baby elephants.
Though we didn’t see any tree-climbing lion, a lioness well-camouflaged amid the rocks caught our guide’s attention. He halted the jeep so that we could click a few pictures.
The park also has a large population of baboons. They are social animals and stay with their troop always.
Where To Stay
There are a range of accommodation options near the park catering to different budgets and preferences.
Whether you’re looking for a luxurious lodge, a mid-range option, or a more budget-friendly camp, there’s something for everyone. Here are some great places to consider.
Luxury
Mid-range
Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge
Budget
African Sunrise Lodge and Campsite
Best Time To Visit
The best time to visit Lake Manyara National Parks depends on what you want to see there, birds or animals.
The dry season from June to October is great for sighting animals as they congregate near water sources.
On the other hand, the wet season from November to May is the good for birdwatching. The migratory birds including thousands of flamingos arrive here to feed on algae and tiny crustaceans.
The park gets heavy rains from March to May. So, the visibility may be less and the safari tracks also gets muddy. Prepare accordingly if you plan to visit during these months.
Tips For Visiting Lake Manyara National Park
- Choose a safari that suits your budget. There are 3 safari types – luxury, mid-range, and budget. Though all safari jeeps get access to the same forest area, the type of accommodation differs.
- Wear neutral-colour clothes such as shades of beige, khaki, brown and tan. Avoid black and blue as these colours attract tsetse flies.
- Apply a good insect repellent before you go on a game drive.
- Carry your binoculars to spot birds and animals that are away and are impossible to see with naked eyes.
Further Reading
You may also like to read about other national parks which are part of Tanzania’s Northern Circuit Safari.
Ultimate Guide to Tarangire National Park
A Complete Guide To Visiting Ngorongoro Crater
Over To You Now…
We hope you found our guide to Lake Manyara National Park informative and helpful. Have you been to this scenic national park in Tanzania earlier? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
