Northern Circuit, Tanzania
Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara covers 325 square kilometres, two thirds of it lake. Known for groundwater forest, flamingos, baboons and birdlife. Ninety minutes from Arusha.
- Region
- Manyara region, base of the Rift Valley escarpment
- Size
- 325 square kilometres, including about 230 square kilometres of lake
- Nearest airport
- Lake Manyara airstrip
- Suggested stay
- Half a day to one day
Lake Manyara National Park covers 325 square kilometres, of which roughly 230 square kilometres is the lake itself. It lies 126 kilometres south west of Arusha and is reached by road in about an hour and a half.
The park is a narrow strip between the Rift Valley escarpment and the lake shore, which packs several habitats into a small area: groundwater forest fed by springs at the base of the escarpment, open floodplain, acacia woodland and the alkaline lake.
It is a short park to drive, which makes it a natural half day or full day stop on the way to the Ngorongoro Crater rather than a destination in its own right.
Why visit Lake Manyara National Park
Variety in a small area. Few parks let you drive from dense groundwater forest to open floodplain to a soda lake shore within an hour.
Birdlife is the strongest draw. The groundwater forest north of the lake is a known breeding site for pink-backed pelican and yellow-billed stork, and flocks of flamingo feed along the lake edge in the wet season.
It fits the route. Manyara sits on the road between Arusha and the Ngorongoro Crater, so it adds a habitat without adding a travel day.
Wildlife you see here
Large troops of olive baboon are a feature of the park, along with blue monkey in the forest sections.
Elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, impala and hippo are present. Lion occur but are not reliably seen.
The lake supports flamingo in numbers that vary with water level, alongside pelican, stork and a wide range of waterbirds.
Best time to visit
The wet season, roughly November to May, is the better period for birds. Flamingo numbers on the lake are highest when water levels are up.
The dry season, June to October, gives easier driving and better visibility for larger mammals as vegetation thins.
Water levels vary considerably between years, and the lake can retreat a long way from the road in dry periods.
How to get there
By road, about an hour and a half from Arusha on paved highway, with the gate near the town of Mto wa Mbu.
By air, Lake Manyara airstrip serves scheduled light aircraft from Arusha.
Where to stay
Most accommodation sits above the park on the escarpment, with views over the lake, or in and around Mto wa Mbu and Karatu. There is a limited amount inside the park boundary.
Because the park is small and close to Karatu, many itineraries stay near the Ngorongoro side and visit Manyara on the way through.
Travel tips
Keep vehicle windows closed near baboon troops. They are habituated and will investigate open vehicles.
Bring binoculars. Much of what makes this park worthwhile is in the trees and on the water rather than beside the track.
Check current lake levels before committing a full day if flamingo are your main reason for visiting.
Things to do
- Game drives through groundwater forest and floodplain
- Birdwatching on the lake shore and in the forest
- Canopy walkway above the groundwater forest
- Night drives, available in the park
- Cultural and village visits at Mto wa Mbu
Trips visiting Lake Manyara National Park
We build trips to Lake Manyara National Park to order. Tell us your dates and we will send an itinerary.
Common questions
Are there tree-climbing lions at Lake Manyara?
Lions are present in the park and are sometimes seen resting in trees, but sightings are not reliable and should not be the reason you choose to visit.
How long do you need at Lake Manyara?
Half a day covers the main circuit. A full day suits birdwatchers or anyone adding the canopy walkway and a village visit.
Is Lake Manyara worth visiting?
It is worth the stop if you are already travelling towards the Ngorongoro Crater, particularly for birdlife and forest habitat. It is not usually worth a dedicated trip on its own.
When are the flamingos at Lake Manyara?
Flamingo feed along the lake edge mainly in the wet season, roughly November to May, and numbers depend on water levels that vary year to year.