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Lake Manyara National Park ranks among the most beautiful wildlife destinations in Tanzania. It is well known for its stunning scenery, varied ecosystems, and unique attractions like tree-climbing lions and millions of flamingos flocking to its shores. Nestling at the base of the magnificent Great Rift Valley escarpment, this remarkably rich yet compact park boasts a patchwork of habitats, from the dense groundwater forests to the lush savannahs with the glimmering alkaline lake that dominates the park’s scene. With pink flamingos, you can find pelicans, storks and herons on the shores of the lake.
Quick Facts
Location: Northern Tanzania, Great Rift Valley
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
Entry Fees: Adults- $50; Children- $15 (Non-residents)
How to Reach: By Road or air
Nearest Airport: Lake Manyara Airport,
Nearest Railway Station: Arusha Railway Station,
Best Time To Visit: June to October, November to February
Where To Stay: Suricata Boma Lodge, Manyara’s Secret, Lake Manyara Tortilis Camp, Wellworth Lake Manyara Kilimamoja Lodge, and more
Where To Eat: Turaco Pizza Point, Florida Restaurant, Hakuna Matata Bar, Makuru Pub and more
Location
Photo: Andrea Piacquadio / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Lake Manyara National Park is in the Arusha Region of northern Tanzania, lying on the western side of the Great Rift Valley. Located in the Manyara District, about 1 km east of the Mto wa Mbu village, it is reachable by road. Nestled within these incredible surroundings are bustling rural communities, scattered with recognisable landmarks such as the Mto wa Mbu Market, famed for its local produce and handcrafted wares, and Makuyuni Junction, which links travellers to other destinations nearby, including Lake Manyara Conservation Area and Tarangire National Park.
How To Reach
Photo: Mangapwani / Wikimedia Commons
By Air: Arusha airport is the nearest airport, approximately 126 km from the park. It is about 2.5 hours away from Kilimanjaro International Airport, which serves international flights. After that, you can take domestic flights to the Lake Manyara airstrip.
By Rail: The nearest railway station is Arusha Railway Station (126 km). Rail connectivity in Tanzania is limited, and you can take trains to Arusha and then drive to access the park. You can also take a private taxi or bus from Arusha to the park.
By Road: Lake Manyara National Park is on the Arusha-Makuyuni-Mto wa Mbu Road and is very well connected by road. It takes 2 hours to drive to the park from Arusha and from Mto wa Mbu village, which is a kilometre away from the entrance to the park. Public buses and private vehicles can be used. Tour operators also facilitate organised travel on the road from nearby cities and towns.
Things To Do
1. Game Drives And Tree Top Walkway
Photo: John Mackenzie Burke / Wikimedia Commons
One of the most thrilling borders to cross is a game drive exploring the wildlife in Lake Manyara. The park is synonymous with high elephant concentration, grazing buffalo, and giraffes. It is famous for its unique tree-climbing lions that can be seen lounging on branches to escape heat or insects. The park is small enough for all the key places to be covered in a single day in the best-of-day tours as well as long tours. Walk on the treetops along a suspended bridge over the forest canopy.
2. Birdwatching
Photo: John Mackenzie Burke / Wikimedia Commons
The park is a virtual paradise for bird watchers, and it has a total of over 400 species. In the middle of a shallow lake, the enormous flocks of pink flamingos that line its shores provide a breathtaking sight against the shimmering waters. They include pelicans, cormorants, and herons, as well as African fish eagles. Whether you are a bird lover or just generally enjoy seeing things around you in open space, the park pours out endless opportunities for you. The edge of the lake is prime for spotting flamingos and other waterbirds.
3. Canoeing
Photo: Oladapo / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
In the wet season, Lake Manyara becomes the most magical canoeing spot. It gives an incredible, exhilarating, yet very peaceful view of the park. Paddle along the edges of the lake, where hippos bask in the shallows, elephants drink at the water’s edge, and flocks of vibrant birds go about their lives in the wild. This calming activity is guaranteed to be an adventure with the incredible chance of watching wildlife with very little disturbance to their routines. It is important to know canoeing is seasonal and dependent on the water levels in the lake.
Places To Visit Near Lake Manyara National Park
1. Lake Manyara Viewpoint
Photo: Clem23 / Wikimedia Commons
At the edge of the Great Rift Valley escarpment lies a beautiful Lake Manyara Viewpoint, offering you stunning panoramic views of Lake Manyara and its surrounding landscapes. Through this viewpoint, you get an exclusive view of the beautifully shining alkaline lake in which flamingos dot the shores with their pink colour against the backdrop of any dense forest and Tanzanian plains. The viewpoint is very much a landscape viewpoint but more rich in wildlife observation.
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
Distance From The Park: 3.3 km
2. Lake Manyara Treetop Walkway
Photo: Javed / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
The Lake Manyara Treetop Walkway is an exciting and adventurous experience where you can have a first-of-a-kind close look at the park’s forest canopy. It stretches for about 370 metres and rises from ground level to heights of up to 18 meters. The first treetop walk in Tanzania makes the experience unique for its offering of exploration in the thick forest canopy. You can walk over a series of suspension bridges leading to observation platforms nestled within the limbs of sturdy trunks. From these places, you can see the varied ecosystems flourishing atop the forest floor, including numerous birdlife, and primates.
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
Distance From The Park: 550 m
3. Hot Springs Boardwalk
Photo: FAN DENG / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Tourists can visit this geothermal area within the park on the Hot Springs Boardwalk, where hot springs bubble out from beneath the earth’s crust. The short but well-constructed walk takes you to the fascinating views of the geothermal activities in the parks. The boardwalk winds its way through several hot springs, spewing steam from warm waters rich in minerals. There are opportunities to discover some of the adapted particular flora while attracting wildlife to warm areas for both its thermal and hydraulic components.
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
Distance From The Park: 22 km
4. Mto Wa Mbu Village
Photo: lecucurbitacee / Wikimedia Commons
Mto Wa Mbu is a lively village tucked away on the shores of Lake Manyara. It is famous for its culture and is known as the melting pot of Tanzanian ethnicities. This village takes you through the everyday lives, customs, and crafts of its residents. By engaging and living within the local communities, you can acquire insights into the cultures and traditions of various ethnic groups, such as the Maasai, Chagga, or Sukuma. Participate in traditional dances, visit local homes, and learn about age-old practices like brewing banana beer and wood carving.
Timings: 24*7
Distance From The Park: 1.5 km
5. Lake Manyara Conservation Area
Photo: Zenith4237 / Wikimedia Commons
Lake Manyara Conservation Area (NCA) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has all highland plains, savannas, savanna woodlands, and forests within its boundaries. It features the Lake Manyara Crater at the centre, which is the largest inactive volcanic caldera. You can spot the Big Five lions, elephants, leopards, rhinoceroses, and buffalo, with much wildlife. The closed ecosystem of the crater enables this steady population of wildlife, making it one of the most prolific game-viewing regions in Africa. This area is also critical for migrants, such as wildebeest and zebra, and for endangered species like the black rhino.
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
Distance From The Park: 45 km
Other Factors To Consider
Photo: ian dooley / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Tips For Travellers
- Try to wear neutral colours while on a safari to blend in pretty well with the environment-wildlife interaction.
- Carry along binoculars, cameras, sunscreen, an insect repellent, and a wide-brimmed hat to protect you from nature.
- Drink lots of water and hire a guide for the best safety and fun experiences while travelling.
Lake Manyara National Park is a perfect gem in the vast wilderness of Tanzania. The park offers a close-knit yet adventure-packed safari experience that remains fresh in the memory even long after visiting it. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Rift Valley escarpment, the park boasts a remarkable biodiversity, featuring a shimmering soda lake filled with thousands of flamingos. Plan a with TripXL and explore the national park like never before.
Cover Photo: Gaurav Pandit / Wikimedia Commons
