Lake Manyara National Park

Sandwiched between the 600 meter high wall that is the Rift Escarpment on the western side and Lake Manyara soda lake to the east, the park is what is known as a “ribbon” park…one way in and one way out. This translates to meaning that there are not all that many trails or tracks to explore and so it is only normally recommended to stay for a couple of nights.

Overall, while this park may not be as well known as some of the others in the north, it really does pack a punch and will give those looking for a few alternative animals to those that are most famous a great option.

Do see our best camps & lodges in Lake Manyara National Park picks for 2026/27 on this page.

What has really helped the diversity of the wildlife in the park, and also adds to the interest, is that it combines a range of terrains. In the very north it features some large hard and softwood forests with towering figs and mahoganies giving cool shade and cover for game.

As you move down into the park you then come across the start of the lake itself and the marshland area that is a favourite of Cape buffalo and wandering elephant. From here the park becomes more desolate with hardy olive trees and boulders that have rolled off from the escarpment above.

Do see our best camps & lodges in Lake Manyara National Park picks for 2026/27 on this page.

Due to the diverse range of habitats, the animals that can be seen in the park, even in a short space of time, are more varied and are unique in the area to the park.

Firstly, Lake Manyara is home for some of Africa’s most famous lions that have learnt how to climb the trees for a little rest and relaxation! Along with good elephant and some of Africa’s smaller breeds of antelope (such as the klipspringer) and some of the best raptor bird populations on the eastern side of the continent, this is truly a worthwhile destination to include in a safari to the north.

Do see our wildlife section for more information further down this page.

Lake Manyara definitely has a pretty short window for when it is considered to be at its very “best” which is during the dry season, between June and November. At this time of year it benefits from the elephant herds that arrive into the area from elsewhere and the green/blue algae in the lake attract good flamingo numbers.

Do see our interactive best time to visit Lake Manyara National Park guide on this page as well as on our parent guide to tanzania page for more in-depth information on when to go.

Or call us on +44 1525 840 149. That’s what we’re here for.

As much as AI has changed the way we all approach our lives, there is still no substitute for picking up the phone and having a chat through the options with one of us on +44 1525 840 149

This allows us to completely tailor the property choices, costs and itinerary length to your needs…but we also understand that this is not always possible with the busy lives we all lead.

With this in mind, we have also put together a safari finder tool that should help you to narrow down the initial stages at which point we can jump in to “round off the edges” as it were.

Alternatively please feel free to >send us an email with your timings, group size and rough likes and dislikes and we can get the ball rolling.

As much as AI has changed the way we all approach our lives, there is still no substitute for picking up the phone and having a chat through the options with one of us on +44 1525 840 149

This allows us to completely tailor the property choices, costs and itinerary length to your needs…but we also understand that this is not always possible with the busy lives we all lead.

With this in mind, we have also put together a safari finder tool that should help you to narrow down the initial stages at which point we can jump in to “round off the edges” as it were.

Alternatively please feel free to >send us an email with your timings, group size and rough likes and dislikes and we can get the ball rolling.