Lake Manyara National Park: Forest, Flamingos and the Rift Valley

Lake Manyara National Park: key facts

The different habitats of Lake Manyara

Groundwater forest greets you at the gate, thick with fig trees, baboons and blue monkeys. Further in are acacia woodland, floodplains and hippo pools. The lake itself is shallow and alkaline, and it changes in size with the seasons.

Wildlife and birds at Lake Manyara

Expect elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra and hippo, along with a great number of birds, including pelicans, storks and flamingos when water levels suit them. The park's tree-climbing lions are famous, although sightings are far from certain.

When to visit Lake Manyara National Park

June to October suits large mammals. November to June suits birds, including migratory species. Some tracks can get difficult in the heaviest rains.

How Lake Manyara fits into a safari

The park is about four hours from Moshi, on the main road to the crater and the Serengeti. A single game drive, usually in the afternoon, is enough for most visitors. The nearby town of Mto wa Mbu, whose name means "river of mosquitoes", has a lively market and cultural walks.

Safaris that visit Lake Manyara National Park

Prices are at mid-range level with two people sharing. For route advice, see our Lake Manyara safari guide.

Lake Manyara and the Great Rift Valley

The park sits at the foot of a dramatic wall, part of the Great Rift Valley, which runs through East Africa. The Gregory Rift escarpment rises steeply above the forest here, and the road to the Ngorongoro highlands climbs right up it. From the top, you get a superb view of the lake and the park below. Springs that flow from the base of the cliff feed the park's forest, which is why it stays so green.

Birdwatching at Lake Manyara

Over 400 species have been recorded in this small park, making it one of the finest places in northern Tanzania for birds. Look for pelicans, storks, kingfishers and hornbills. Flamingos may arrive in large numbers when water levels suit them, turning the shoreline pink, although that does not happen in every month. The hippo pool near the north of the lake is a good place to stop and watch.

The tree-climbing lions of Lake Manyara

Lions do not usually spend much time in trees, but here they have made it famous. No one is sure why. Perhaps they want to escape flies or get a breeze. Sightings are far from guaranteed, and you may not see them, so think of them as a bonus. Tarangire and the Serengeti can also have lions in trees at times.

Other things to do around Lake Manyara

Mto wa Mbu, the town at the gate, is a lively mix of more than 100 ethnic groups, and it is a good place for a guided walk through its banana farms and market. Some lodges on the escarpment offer forest walks. Canoeing on the lake may also be possible, depending on water levels. Tell us if any of this interests you, and we will check what is available.

Where to stay near Lake Manyara

Most lodges and camps are outside the park, either near Mto wa Mbu or on the escarpment, which has wonderful views. A few are inside. Staying here is a useful stop between Tarangire and the Serengeti, as it breaks a long journey. We will suggest places at your level, and we will tell you what to expect from each.

Lake Manyara or Tarangire: which should you choose?

If you only have time for one, most people choose Tarangire, particularly from June to October, for its elephants and larger size. Lake Manyara is better in the wet months and for birds, and it offers more variety in a small space. On a trip of five days or more, you do not have to choose, and they sit close together.

Is Lake Manyara National Park right for you?

It suits travelers who enjoy scenery and birds, as well as those on a longer trip. If you have just two or three days, we usually suggest spending them elsewhere, but if you are passing by with a free afternoon, it is well worth a visit. It also works as a relaxed first game drive after a long flight, before the bigger experiences ahead.

The history of Lake Manyara National Park

The name is thought to come from a Maasai word for a plant used to make livestock enclosures. The park was established in 1960. Ernest Hemingway once called it one of the loveliest places he had seen in Africa, according to a story often told, and its setting below the Rift Valley wall easily explains why. It later became known for elephant research, carried out by Iain Douglas-Hamilton.

How the lake changes through the year

The lake is shallow, and its size and color change with the rain. In wet years, it can fill much of the park's floor. In dry years, it may shrink back from the shore, leaving wide mudflats. That explains why flamingo numbers vary so much, as they feed on algae that grow in certain conditions. Ask your guide what the lake is doing when you arrive.

Photography at Lake Manyara National Park

The forest is shady, so you will need a steady hand or a higher ISO for monkeys and baboons. By the lake, the light is much brighter, and a zoom lens helps for birds. Late afternoon is best, when the sun lights up the escarpment. From the top of the Rift Valley wall, on the road to Ngorongoro, stop for a wide view over the lake and the park.

Where to go after Lake Manyara

From here, the road climbs the escarpment to the Ngorongoro highlands and continues on to the Serengeti. Tarangire is about an hour and a half away. Combine them on a northern circuit safari.

How long should you spend at Lake Manyara?

A single game drive of three to four hours is enough for most people. If you are a keen birder, you may want a full day. Most visitors stay one night nearby, as a stop on the way to the Serengeti. See our Lake Manyara safari guide.

Practical tips for visiting Lake Manyara National Park

• Late afternoon offers lovely light on the escarpment.
• Keep your windows closed around baboons, and keep food out of sight.
• Bring binoculars for the park's many birds.
• Ask your guide about water levels and flamingo numbers before you go.
• Use repellent, especially near the town of Mto wa Mbu.

Lake Manyara National Park: your questions answered

Where Lake Manyara fits best

Add it to a safari of five days or more, as a change of scene on the way west. Send us your dates, and we will build it in.