Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National Park
Nestled beneath the dramatic Great Rift Valley wall, Lake Manyara National Park combines lush groundwater forests, flamingo-filled alkaline waters, and iconic tree-climbing lions.
▶ ENQUIRE ABOUT THIS PARK- • Tree-Climbing Lions
- • African Elephants
- • Flamingos
- • Olive Baboons
GENERAL OVERVIEW
First established as a game reserve in 1957 and elevated to national park status in 1960, Lake Manyara National Park protects 330 square kilometers along the base of the 600-meter-high Gregory Rift escarpment. Inscribed as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1981, the park is celebrated for its remarkable ecosystem diversity packed into a compact footprint. Visitors enter through an evergreen, canopy-rich groundwater forest nourished by underground springs flowing from the rift wall, before transitioning into acacia woodlands, open savannah grasslands, and the shallow soda lake itself. Historically praised by Ernest Hemingway as "the loveliest I had seen in Africa," Lake Manyara provides a sanctuary for dense elephant herds, massive troops of olive baboons, and legendary lions that climb and rest high in mahogany and acacia trees.
SIZE
Lake Manyara National Park is 330 square kilometers (km²) in size.
Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity), Tanzania Tourist Visa or East Africa Tourist Visa, Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate (if traveling from or through endemic zones), TANAPA electronic park entry permit/smartcard.
- Park entry gates operate strictly between 06:30 AM and 06:30 PM.
- Speed limits of 50 km/h on main access roads and 25 km/h on side tracks must be strictly obeyed.
- Off-track driving is strictly prohibited to preserve groundwater vegetation.
- Always give wildlife the absolute right of way.
- Do not alight from your vehicle except at designated picnic spots or the treetop canopy walkway.
- Feeding, teasing, or disturbing wild animals is strictly illegal.
- Maintain a safe viewing distance of at least 25 meters from wild animals.
- Single-use plastic bottles and littering are strictly banned inside the park.
- Domestic pets are strictly forbidden inside national park boundaries.
- Drone operation is illegal without prior written permission from TANAPA and civil aviation authorities.
HOW TO GET THERE
-
By Air: Scheduled or charter domestic flights operate from Arusha Airport or Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to Lake Manyara Airstrip (approx. 30 to 45 minutes flight time).
-
By Road: A smooth 2-to-2.5-hour drive (approx. 126 km) west from Arusha along a fully paved highway.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Best time to visit Lake Manyara National Park: June to October (Dry Season for big game) & November to May (Wet Season for bird watching and flamingos)
WILDLIFE & LANDSCAPE
LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK GALLERY
POINTS OF INTEREST
FAQS
TRIPADVISOR REVIEWS
Contact Esteemed Africa Safaris to book your dream Lake Manyara National Park safari holiday. Start your tour from major cities or coastal beaches and explore our premium national parks, game reserves, and private wildlife conservancies across East Africa.
Speak to our safari experts to tailor the perfect Lake Manyara National Park experience for you.
ENQUIRE NOW ›
Ready to Experience
The Magic of Lake Manyara National Park?
Let us craft a safari journey you'll never forget.
