Lake Manyara Safari Tours: Flamingos, Forest and Tree-Climbing Lions

Why include Lake Manyara on your safari?

Variety and convenience are the main reasons. It sits on the road between Tarangire and the Serengeti, so it is an easy stop that breaks up the drive. Few parks offer so much change of scene in so small an area, and it is particularly rewarding for bird lovers.

What wildlife can you see at Lake Manyara?

Expect baboons, blue monkeys, elephants, giraffes, zebras, hippos and buffalo. Flamingos and pelicans gather on the lake when water levels suit them, although their numbers vary a lot. The park is known for tree-climbing lions, but they are seen only occasionally, so treat them as a bonus.

Lake Manyara safaris and prices

Prices are at mid-range level with two people sharing. Each trip can be changed to suit your dates and budget.

Is Lake Manyara worth it if you are short of time?

If you have five days or more, yes. If you have less, we would usually give the time to Tarangire, the Serengeti or the crater instead. That is why our shorter trips leave it out, and our 5-day and longer trips include it.

Best time for a Lake Manyara safari

June to October suits large mammals, with dry roads and easier viewing. November to June is better for birds, including migratory species. In the rainiest months, some tracks may close. Check our best time guide.

Your guide and vehicle on a Lake Manyara safari

Your driver-guide is with you from the first morning to the last drive, and much of what you see depends on them. Our guides have worked on Tanzania tours for 7 years. They are graduates of the College of African Wildlife Management, Mweka, and the National College of Tourism, and they hold certification from those institutions.

You travel in a private 4WD Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, clear windows for wildlife viewing and comfortable seats. We run private safaris, so you choose your dates and share the vehicle only with your own group. If you are traveling alone and would like company to share the cost, ask us and we will check whether a suitable shared departure is available with a trusted partner company.

How to prepare for your Lake Manyara safari

Pack neutral clothing, warm layers for early mornings, a hat, sunscreen and binoculars, using our safari packing list. See a travel clinic six to eight weeks before you leave. Malaria is a risk in the safari parks, so ask about tablets and bring repellent. Travel insurance is not included, and we strongly recommend a policy that covers medical care and evacuation. Our safari cost guide shows what to budget beyond the safari price.

What to expect on a Lake Manyara game drive

Most visits last for an afternoon or a morning. You enter through thick groundwater forest, where baboons often sit in the road and blue monkeys move through the trees. The track then opens onto floodplains with buffalo and zebra, and it leads on to hippo pools near the lake. Your guide will scan the acacia trees for lions and look out for elephants in the forest. Few parks offer so much variety in so short a time.

Birdwatching on a Lake Manyara safari

Bird lovers will find a lot to enjoy, with over 400 species recorded. Pelicans, storks and hornbills are common, and flamingos may gather on the lake when water levels are right. From November to April, migratory species increase the variety. Bring binoculars, and tell your guide if birds are a priority for you.

How Lake Manyara fits into a northern circuit safari

The park sits at the foot of the Rift Valley wall, right on the road between Tarangire and Ngorongoro. A stop here breaks up the journey to the Serengeti, and it adds a very different scene. Our 5-day, 6-day and 7-day safaris all include it. See our northern circuit guide.

Where to stay near Lake Manyara

Many camps and lodges are in or near Mto wa Mbu, and some sit on the escarpment above the park, with wide views over the lake. Staying nearby makes for an easy morning start to the Serengeti. We will suggest options that suit your budget. The town itself has a colorful market and cultural walks, if you have time.

Lake Manyara compared with other northern parks

Lake Manyara is the smallest of the four, and it has fewer large animals than the Serengeti or the crater. Its strengths are variety, birds and scenery. If you want big herds, give more time to Tarangire or the Serengeti. If you enjoy changing landscapes and quieter moments, this park will be a pleasant surprise.

Exploring Lake Manyara's groundwater forest

The forest near the gate surprises many people, because it looks more like a jungle than a safari park. Springs that flow from the Rift Valley wall feed huge fig and mahogany trees, and troops of baboons, some of them very large, walk along the road. Blue monkeys feed in the branches, and elephants sometimes move quietly between the trees. It is a good place to slow down, switch off the engine and listen.

The hippo pool and lakeshore

The hippo pool in the north of the park is a highlight on most visits, and you can often watch dozens of hippos at close range, along with storks, herons and other water birds. Beyond it, the floodplain opens up to the lake, where wildebeest, zebra and giraffe graze with the escarpment behind them. In the late afternoon, the light on the cliffs can be beautiful. Lake levels vary greatly from year to year, and that changes what you see.

Should you visit Lake Manyara for the tree-climbing lions?

Probably not on their own. They are famous, but they are not always easy to find, and many visitors leave without seeing a lion up a tree. Lion numbers here also vary. Come for the variety and the birds, and treat a lion in a tree as a very lucky bonus. If lions are your main goal, the Serengeti or the Ngorongoro Crater offer far better chances.

Who should include Lake Manyara on their safari?

It suits bird lovers, first-time visitors on a longer trip, and families who want an easy afternoon drive between longer journeys. It also makes a pleasant stop if you are tired after a long flight. It is less important if you have only two or three days, or if you are mainly after big cats. In that case, our shorter trips skip it for good reason.

How a visit to Lake Manyara usually fits your day

Most travelers leave Tarangire after a morning drive and reach Lake Manyara in about an hour and a half. An afternoon game drive of three to four hours is enough to see the forest, the floodplain and the hippo pool. You sleep nearby, then climb the escarpment the next morning, with a stop to look back over the lake on your way to the Serengeti.

Is Lake Manyara good for families?

Yes. Distances within the park are short, baboons and monkeys are entertaining for children, and an afternoon drive is about the right length. The nearby town of Mto wa Mbu offers cultural walks and a look at daily life. It can be a gentle way to begin a family safari. See our family safari guide.

Lake Manyara safaris: your questions answered

Should Lake Manyara be on your safari?

If you have five days or more, include it. It adds variety to the trip, and it sits right on the way. Send us your dates, and we will build it in.