This beautiful park is at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment and comprises of a diverse range of habitats ranging from the rift wall, ground water forest, acacia woodlands, open grasslands, the shore of the soda lake - Lake Manyara and, finally, the lake itself.
Established in 1960, Lake Manyara National Park protects a narrow strip between the Rift Valley wall and the lake's alkaline waters. Despite its modest size (only 330 square kilometers), the park encompasses seven distinct habitat zones, each supporting different wildlife communities. This ecological diversity within compact space makes Manyara perfect for day trips or short safaris—you experience remarkable variety without covering vast distances. The park's location, just 130 kilometers from Arusha along a good road, makes it accessible for travelers with limited time or as a gentle introduction before heading deeper into the Northern Circuit.
The groundwater forest that greets visitors at the park entrance feels utterly different from the open plains beyond—towering trees draped with vines, filtered light creating dappled patterns on forest floor where blue monkeys swing overhead and shy bushbucks emerge at dusk. This forest thrives on underground water seeping from the rift wall, remaining green even through dry months. The contrast when you emerge onto the floodplains is dramatic: acacia woodlands give way to open grasslands where zebras, wildebeests, giraffes, and buffalos graze with the lake as backdrop, the escarpment rising sharply on one side.
Like most Rift Valley lakes, the water is alkaline. This attracts vast flocks of flamingos, which form pink foam against a silver background of water. There are numerous water birds in the area, including storks and pelicans that waddle around next to short grasses on the shore of the lake. The park is a bird lover's haven with a variety (350 species) of local species inhabiting the forest and bush. The best time to observe these birds is in the late afternoon and early morning.
Lake Manyara National Park provides sanctuary to a variety of animals like the gazelle, impala, buffalo, wildebeest, hyena, baboon, giraffe and hippo. Manyara is also known for its tree-climbing lions—a unique population that has developed the habit of lounging in acacia branches during the day. While lions elsewhere rarely climb, Manyara's prides have made this behavior famous, possibly to escape tsetse flies or catch afternoon breezes. Sightings aren't guaranteed, but the park offers one of the best chances anywhere to witness this remarkable spectacle.
The park's location within the Great Rift Valley creates dramatic light throughout the day. Early mornings find the escarpment casting long shadows across floodplains; midday sun intensifies colors of flamingos against blue water; late afternoons paint the rift wall in gold and amber. Photographers find endless compositions here—the juxtaposition of wildlife against this dramatic backdrop creates images distinct from other parks. Even casual visitors find themselves reaching for cameras repeatedly, the landscape constantly changing as light shifts and clouds drift across the escarpment.
Beyond the park boundaries, the area around Mto wa Mbu village has become a hub for adventure activities. Many visitors extend their stay to enjoy canoeing on the lake (water levels permitting), mountain biking through surrounding villages and farms, abseiling on the rift wall, or nature walks with Maasila guides. These activities add dimension to safari experiences, engaging with landscape and people in ways vehicle-based game drives cannot. For travelers seeking active adventure alongside wildlife viewing, Manyara delivers options unavailable in more remote parks.
Lake Manyara Tanzania and the areas outside the park has become a hub for active adventure guests where many stop over to enjoy activities such as horse riding, abseiling, mountain biking, canoeing and nature walk safaris.
Browse our available safari packages:
