A little lovely National Park close to Arusha, on the way to Ngorongoro and the Serengeti, is well worth a visit. An alkaline lake may cover up to 200 of its 330 square kilometers when water levels are high.

When you enter through the main gate, you will walk through a beautiful evergreen forest produced by groundwater from the Ngorongoro Highlands. As you continue driving, you will pass through lush acacia bush, where you will see spectacular tusked elephants and large groups of baboons. A grassy floodplain surrounds the lake and is home to vast herds of buffalo, zebras, wildebeest, and giraffes.

More than 380 species of birds have been documented in Lake Manyara, including hundreds of pink-hued flamingos on their permanent migration, as well as other large water birds like pelicans, cormorants, and storks. Hippos abound in the water. Leopards thrive in the jungle, while Manyara's lions are known for their tree-climbing skills.

The park is readily accessible in a single day. The best months for game viewing are December through February and May through July, with August and September being the exceptions. A safari to Lake Manyara may be readily connected with trips to the Serengeti, Ngorogoro Crater, and Tarangire National Parks. Another option is to pay a visit to the Hadjabe and Datoga tribes on nearby Lake Eyasi.

When the water level is high enough, the lake is ideal for canoeing. We can organize night game drives, mountain bike rides, and forest hikes on the escarpment outside the park in addition to morning drives.

Within the park, there is one luxury tree house-style camp, as well as public bandas and campsites. There is also one luxury tented camp and three lodges facing the lake outside the park.

Lake Manyara National Park may be visited as a standalone safari from Arusha, or it can be coupled with other parks on the northern circuit. Check over our itineraries, and if you prefer a different combination of sites and activities, please contact us and we would be pleased to develop a custom itinerary for you.