Tree-Climbing Lions & Pink Flamingos

Lake Manyara National Park

Compact but strikingly beautiful, Lake Manyara National Park stretches between the dramatic Rift Valley escarpment and a shimmering alkaline lake. Famous for its tree-climbing lions and clouds of pink flamingos, it’s the perfect first or final stop on a Northern Circuit safari.

Park Facts

At a Glance

Best Time

Jun – Oct

Park Area

330 km²

Lake Area

230 km²

Recommended Stay

1–2 days recommended

“Ready to experience Lake Manyara National Park? Let’s start planning your safari.”

About the Park

Discover Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara may be compact, just 330 square kilometers, but it packs more diversity per hectare than almost any park in Africa. Beneath the dramatic Rift Valley escarpment, groundwater forests, acacia woodlands, and the alkaline lake itself create a microcosm of East African ecosystems.

Top Experiences

Signature things to do

01

Canopy Walkway

Tanzania’s first treetop walk, 370 meters of suspended bridges through the forest.

02

Boat Safari

Glide across Lake Manyara when water levels allow for incredible birding.

03

Night Drives

Permitted within the park is a rare opportunity in northern Tanzania.

When to Visit

Best time for a Tarangire safari

July to October for wildlife; November to June for spectacular birdlife. Our team will match your travel dates with the right park combination. Talk to us about timing your safari for migration, calving, or low-season pricing.

Safari Routes

Featuring Lake Manyara National Park

These are starting points; every itinerary we create is customized around your travel dates, budget, and the experiences that matter most to you.

Half Day

Manyara Add-On

Often combined as a half-day stop between Arusha and Ngorongoro. A quick but rewarding introduction to the park’s highlights.

1–2 Days

Manyara Focus

A full day allows for the groundwater forest, hippo pools, tree lion search, and the lake itself. An overnight stay adds dawn and dusk game drives.

5 Days

Northern Highlights

Tarangire + Manyara + Ngorongoro. Three distinct ecosystems, three very different safari experiences, are perfectly complementary.

Let's plan your Lake Manyara safari

Tell us your dream travel dates and style, and we’ll send a fully tailor-made itinerary within 24 hours, no obligation.

More Tanzania Parks

Continue your Tanzania safari journey

Maasai Mara

Witness the Great Wildebeest Migration across endless golden plains in Kenya’s most iconic reserve.

Amboseli

Wild northern Kenya, a land of red earth, doum palms, and the famous ‘Samburu Special Five.’

Samburu

Wild northern Kenya is a land of red earth, doum palms, and the famous ‘Samburu Special Five.’