Kilimanjaro RegionKilimanjaro Region
Kilimanjaro Region is one of the most exciting areas in northern Tanzania, not only because of Mount Kilimanjaro...
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Everything You Need to Know About Lake Manyara National Park
- Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National Park is one of Tanzania’s most beautiful and diverse parks, and we always recommend it to travelers who want to experience nature in a more raw and authentic way. Compared to some of the larger parks, Lake Manyara offers a more intimate safari where you can truly appreciate the sights, sounds, and atmosphere of the African wilderness.
The park is home to elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, hippos, baboons, blue monkeys, warthogs, and a wide variety of antelope species. It also boasts over 400 bird species, including thousands of pink flamingos that gather along the lake when conditions are favorable.
Lake Manyara is especially famous for its tree climbing lions, a rare behavior seen in only a few places in Africa. While sightings can never be guaranteed, the park is one of the best places to look for these unique lions resting on acacia branches.
The park is also the best destination in Tanzania for a canoe safari. When water levels permit, canoeing on Lake Manyara offers a completely different perspective, allowing you to quietly paddle past hippos, waterbirds, and the stunning Great Rift Valley escarpment. It is a peaceful and unforgettable experience that complements a traditional game drive perfectly.
At Tanzania Safari Experience, we highly recommend including Lake Manyara in your itinerary if you are looking for a safari that combines incredible wildlife, beautiful scenery, excellent birdlife, and unique activities in one destination.
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Explore PlaceTop Recommended Lodges & Camps in Lake Manyara National Park
Carefully selected stays that match the safari experience, location, comfort level, and overall value we want for our guests. From charming lodges to authentic tented camps, each option is chosen to keep your journey smooth, comfortable, and memorable.
Manyara Best View Lodge & Spa
Manyara Kibaoni
Manyara Best View Lodge & Spa is a peaceful eco lodge located high on the Rift Valley Escarpment near Lake Manyara and Mto wa…
View AccommodationWe've got you covered
Our tours combine high-quality safari experiences with excellent value. The price provided clearly outlines what is included, such as accommodation, park fees, private safari transport, guide services, selected flights, and transfers listed in your itinerary.
- Park fees
- All activities (unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation as stated in the itinerary
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- All Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
- Air Ambulance Service by AMREF Flying Doctors;
- At Least 1 Pair Of Binoculars;
- International flights (from/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips to your safari guide ($30-50 per day per car).
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Alcohol drinks
- Visas and visa fees where relevant
- Additional activities not offered as scheduled by the accommodation
- Lunch and dinner in hotel (only before and after safari);
Connect with our local experts for personalized travel planning
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Lake Manyara National Park TripAdvisor Reviews
SEE WHAT OUR GUESTS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THEIR TANZANIA SAFARI EXPERIENCE.
*For the most recent reviews/testimonials from our guests, please visit our TripAdvisor page and Trustpilot.
Tripadvisorreviews
See all 5
Travellers’ Choice
Great Tanzanian vacation
We toured with Tanzania Safari Experience for an eight day trip to Tanzania. Five days of safari and then three days of beach vacation in Zanzibar. They were great to work with and customized everything exactly the way we wanted it. The lodges we were booked in were all incredible, particularly the Lahia Tented Lodge in the Serengeti. Our driver, Jay, seemed to know every road in every national park and as a result the wildlife viewing was unparalleled. There were times where we were the only vehicle seeing lions or hippos. The owner, Laurent, was extremely responsive and any issues we had in-country with our logistics were immediately sorted by him. He genuinely wanted us to have a first-rate experience. The only thing we were unprepared for is that some of the days in the safari vehicle were very long (10+ hours) and the roads can be really rough. But there were plenty of cold drinks in the car and it was worth it to see the wildlife. The safari/beach split was a great way to do the vacation and the beaches of Zanzibar were beautiful with clear blue water.
Family · July 31, 2026Read moreSafari May 2026
This company exceeded everything we’d hoped for. From the start, the tour operator had everything covered — a detailed itinerary laid out well in advance, quick responses to any questions, and a genuine attentiveness that made the whole thing feel effortless. The accommodation was seriously impressive. Not what I was expecting at all — comfortable, well-appointed, and luxurious. We also spent time right in the heart of the bush. A proper treat. The two people who really made this trip were our guide Mariki and photographer Agnes. Mariki’s knowledge of the bush and animal behaviour is something else — he always seemed to know exactly where to go, and his instincts paid off every single time. Agnes has a brilliant eye and captured shots we could never have got ourselves. As for the wildlife — we saw far more than we ever imagined we would. Elephants, lions, leopard, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, hippos — the lot. As a first safari, I couldn’t have asked for more. Would recommend without hesitation.
Friends getaway · June 2, 2026Read moreGreat Experience with Tanzania Safari Experience
We had an amazing safari with Tanzania Safari Experience, and honestly the whole trip was put together really well by Laurent and his team. From our first message to the last day, they were easy to reach, quick to reply, and clear about everything. The plan made sense, the timing was smooth, and we didn’t have to stress about anything. Uncle J was a big part of what made it special. He knows the parks incredibly well and seems to notice things before anyone else. He’d position the vehicle perfectly for photos and often got us to sightings before the crowds built up. We were lucky to see [your highlights: migration / lions / cheetahs / elephants / a crossing], and every drive felt exciting and different. The vehicle was comfortable and in good shape, and everything ran on schedule. If you’re looking for a well-organized safari with a great guide, I’d definitely recommend Tanzania Safari Experience.
Solo travel · January 3, 2026Read more
Everything You Need to Know About Your Safari
Every safari adventure begins with a question. Whether it’s your first or second time, it’s natural to wonder about the best time to visit, what to pack, or how the journey works. Here, we’ve answered the most common questions travelers ask before booking their Tanzania safari, so you can plan with confidence and look forward to unforgettable memories.
Lake Manyara National Park is characterized by acacia woodlands, savannah grasslands, a forested area, flood plains, and the rocky escarpment of the rift valley. Tree-climbing lions can also be seen during safaris in Lake Manyara National Park, and they are among the unique attractions at the destination.
Yes, Lake Manyara is absolutely worth visiting if you are a nature or bird lover. Its lush groundwater forests, large troops of baboons, and Rift Valley backdrop offer a stunning visual contrast to other Tanzanian parks. However, because it is much smaller, it is best experienced as a scenic half-day or day trip on the way to the Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater, rather than a standalone multi-day safari.
Lake Manyara is famous for Birdlife, especially, pink flamingos are the main attraction. Ngorongoro Crater is famous for Big Five (Elephant, Lion, Leopard, African Buffalo and Black Rhinoceros). Lake Manyara is small in size compared to Ngorongoro Crater. But here you will have an exceptional bird-watching experience.
Herbivores of Lake Manyara National Park include plains zebra, Cape bushbuck, waterbuck, impala, African buffalo, Masai giraffe, hippopotamus, baboon, common warthog, and African bush elephant.
In addition to lions, who are referred to as “Tree climbing lions“ because of their propensity to climb on the limbs of trees, there are many leopards among the predators, but they are typically hard to notice since they hide in the thickest brush.
Comparison: Lake Manyara vs. Serengeti & Tarangire
| Feature | Lake Manyara | Tarangire |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Small | Medium |
| Best For | Birds, Primates, Scenery | Elephants, Baobab Trees |
| Crowds | Can be busy near gate | Moderate |
| Time Needed | 1 Day | 2 Days |
Arusha is located about 110 to 130 kilometers (68 to 81 miles) from Lake Manyara National Park. Depending on your mode of transportation, the journey takes between 30 minutes and 2.5 hours.
By Car: Driving is the most common option and takes approximately 2 to 2.5 hours via the newly paved C104 road, which runs southwest from Arusha to the park entrance.
By Flight: Domestic scheduled and charter flights operate from Arusha Airport to Lake Manyara Airstrip. The direct flight takes approximately 30 minutes.
