Lake Manyara Website & Travel

Sprawled within the northern side of Tanzania, Lake Manyara National Park is a beautiful and biodiverse protected area extending over 330 square kilometers (33,000 hectares or 125 square miles). Of this area, more than 70% (230 square kilometers/23,000 hectares) consists of lake surface.

This magnificent park was established in 1960 and is currently managed by the Tanzania National Parks Authority. Lake Manyara is a shallow, saline lake situated at an altitude of 960 meters above sea level, formed in a depression within the Rift Valley system.

Location of Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park is located in the Manyara and Arusha regions, between the Great Rift Valley and Lake Manyara, approximately 126 kilometers west of Arusha Town. This national park includes only the northwestern quadrant of the lake, which covers about 200 square kilometers.

To the east of the park lies the Kwa Kuchinja Wildlife Migration Corridor, which protects migrating animals between Tarangire National Park to the southeast, the stunning Engaruka Basin to the north, and Lake Manyara to the west.

History of Lake Manyara National Park

The park’s name originates from a plant species, Euphorbia tirucalli, locally referred to as “Emanyara” in the Masai dialect. These plants are used by the Masai people to create boundaries around homesteads as a way of protecting against predators, thieves, and poachers.

The area where Lake Manyara National Park is now located was a popular site for sports hunting since the 1920s. However, in 1957, it was gazetted as a game reserve, and three years later, it gained national park status. In 1974, more than 550 hectares were added to the southern part of the park.

In 1981, Lake Manyara became a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve as part of the organization’s Man and Biosphere Programme. The park is also part of the larger Lake Manyara Biosphere Reserve, which includes the lake itself, areas within and outside the park, and the Marang Forest Reserve in the adjoining uplands.

Vegetation within Lake Manyara National Park

This Tanzanian national park has diverse habitats with over 670 species of flowering plants and ferns. These include lush groundwater forests dominated by Trichilia roka, woodlands dominated by acacia and Commiphora species, grasslands dominated by Cynodon dactylon in dry areas, and vast swamps on the banks of the Simba River and its tributaries.

Wildlife in Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park is an exceptionally diverse protected area, especially known for its rare tree-climbing lions, which set it apart from other national parks in Tanzania. It also boasts the highest elephant population in the country and serves as a passage point for large migratory mammals such as zebras, wildebeests, Grant’s gazelles, and Thomson’s gazelles, among others.

Other species that call this park home include the klipspringer, Cape buffaloes, bushbucks, Defassa waterbucks, Kirk’s dik-dik, warthogs, giraffes, olive baboons, impalas, hippos, and many others.

If you’re hoping to spot large predators during your African safari, Lake Manyara National Park is the place to be. Here, you might encounter cheetahs, honey badgers, leopards, African golden cats, serval cats, genets, spotted hyenas, various mongoose species, black-backed jackals, African civets, African wild cats, and bat-eared foxes, among others.

Birdlife in Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park is an important birding area, home to over 400 bird species, including birds of prey, waterbirds, migratory species, and woodland and forest birds. Notable species to look for include the extraordinary lesser and greater flamingos, red-fronted tinkerbird, grey-headed kingfisher, Von der Decken’s hornbill, yellow-billed stork, grey heron, egrets, silvery-cheeked hornbill, Baglafetche weaver, red-chested cuckoo, lilac-breasted roller, pink-backed pelican, marabou stork, little bee-eater, southern ground hornbill, blue-billed teal, great white pelican, black heron, Nubian woodpecker, and palm-nut vulture.

The lake is also home to the endangered Oreochromis amphimelas, a unique fish species endemic to Tanzania that thrives in the saline lakes with enclosed basins. For butterfly enthusiasts, Lake Manyara National Park offers the perfect opportunity to observe over 180 species of butterflies.

Other Attractions in Lake Manyara National Park

In addition to its wildlife and birdlife, Lake Manyara National Park offers a variety of other attractions, including vast marshlands that shelter numerous bird species, the rocky escarpment of the Rift Valley wall, hot springs located at the heart and southern border of the park, and the western shores of the lake known as “Maji Moto Hot Springs.” The saline flats, which expand when the lake shrinks during the dry season, and the lush mahogany and fig trees in the forest area are also worth exploring. The hippo pool, located on the northern shores of the lake, is another highlight for visitors.

Tourist Activities in Lake Manyara National Park

• Game Drives: Game drives (both day and night) are one of the unmissable tourist activities in Lake Manyara National Park, offering chances to spot elephants, zebras, leopards, aardvarks, Kirk’s dik-dik, olive baboons, bushbucks, lions, giraffes, buffaloes, topis, and warthogs, among others.
• Cultural Tours: Travelers to Lake Manyara National Park can undertake cultural tours through Karatu villages within the valley floor. These tours will give you an insight into the traditional culture and history of the people, showcase the traditional designs of their homesteads, allow you to participate in the preparation and tasting of their traditional dishes, and provide opportunities to admire and purchase their beaded jewelry.
• Bird Watching: Lake Manyara is one of the top Important Birding Areas in Tanzania, with almost 400 species of birds at your disposal. Given its close proximity to Lake Natron, there are high chances of spotting flamingos, but also look out for crowned eagles, spoonbills, egrets, silvery-cheeked hornbills, crested guinea fowls, lilac-breasted rollers, pink-backed pelicans, marabou storks, and many others.
• Guided Nature Walks: There are several walking trails running through the different ecosystems of Lake Manyara National Park. These include the Iyambi River Trail for mammal and bird watching, the Msara Trail along the banks of the Msara River near the escarpment (another great birding trail), and the lake shore trail, which crosses savannah and acacia woodland and leads to the Maji Moto hot springs. En route, you may encounter flamingos and large herds of elephants and buffaloes.
• Canoeing: Sailing the salty waters of Lake Manyara on a canoe is an unusual yet rewarding way to spot wildlife and bird species. The three-hour ride will introduce you to herds of elephants, buffaloes, bushbucks, and giraffes on the shores, in addition to pods of hippos in the deeper waters. This activity is also perfect for birdwatching, especially for spotting wetland and water bird species such as yellow-billed storks, cormorants, and pelicans, among others.
• Mountain Biking: You can spice up your Tanzania wildlife safari with a biking tour in Lake Manyara National Park, where you will traverse the Rift Valley floor, lake shores, and Mto wa Mbu villages. You’ll also have the chance to interact with Maasai pastoralists, admire their beautiful beadwork, car tire sandals, and traditional dances, among other cultural experiences. You must be in good physical condition to undertake the 3-4 hour biking tour, but the rewards will take your breath away.

Entry Fees

The current entry fees (until June 30, 2021) for Lake Manyara National Park are $53.10 for adults and $17.70 for children. Effective July 1, 2021, adults will pay $59.00 during the high season and $53.10 during the low season, while children will continue to pay $17.70 year-round.

Accommodation in Lake Manyara National Park

A comfortable place to rest after a long day of wildlife exploration is essential for any traveler, and there are numerous accommodation options in Lake Manyara National Park. Some of the top facilities include Losirwa Camp, Lake Manyara Kilimamoja Lodge, Eunoto Retreat Manyara, Oremiti Tented Lodge, Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge, Lemala Manyara Camp, Twiga Camp, Manyara Ranch Conservancy, the Escarpment Luxury Lodge Manyara, Lake Manyara Plantation Lodge, Isoitok Camp Manyara, Burudika Manyara Lodge, Kirurumu Tented Lodge, Migunga Tented Camp, Lake Manyara View Lodge, andBeyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge, Kiboko Bush Camp, Manyara Wildlife Safari Camp, and Haven Nature Camp and Lodge, among others.

Best Time to Visit Lake Manyara National Park

Tourist visits to Lake Manyara National Park are possible year-round. However, different seasons offer different wildlife viewing experiences. The driest months—June, July, August, September, January, and February—are considered the best for game viewing. During these months, low rainfall causes some water sources in the park to dry up, leaving only a few, such as Lake Manyara, as the main converging points for wildlife.

How to Get There

Lake Manyara National Park is located approximately 126 kilometers (78 miles) southwest of Arusha Town and can be accessed by both air and road transport. Flights can be arranged from Arusha, Dodoma, and Dar es Salaam to the nearby Lake Manyara Airstrip.

For road transport, the well-developed road network across the country makes it easy to access this spectacular national park.