Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park is a popular destination for its breathtaking views, huge soda lake full of flamingos and fascinating bird life. You can see huge troops of baboons wandering through the forest, but you can also see herds of elephants and, if you’re lucky, some lions climbing the trees. Around Soda Lake you can see a variety of wildlife such as buffalo, warthogs, giraffes, wildebeest and zebras. You can also enjoy beautiful hippos in the shallow pool of the Hippo. Sometimes you can come across large numbers of them taking a cool mud bath and hiding from the hot sun.

Rift valley cliff
Lake Manyara is also an ideal place to view the beautiful 400-meter high Rift Valley escarpment. The Great Rift Valley is a long crack in the Earth that extends to the eastern side of Africa. It was formed about 20 to 25 million years ago when the Earth’s crust was torn apart. This enormous phenomenon is visible even from space and looks like two lines running through Africa. They provide unique and diverse habitats. Enjoy acacia forests, jungle forests, mountain slopes, hot springs, lawns, acacia forests and a huge soda lake.

Trekking and activities in Lake Manyara National Park

• Night game drive
• Canopy walk/treetop walk
• Mountain bike tour on Lake Manyara
• Cultural tour Mto Wa Mbu
• Visit the Maasai tribe
• Visit the Hadzabi tribe
• Travel time in Lake Manyara
• Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park: 2.5 hours drive
• Lake Manyara National Park to Tarangire National Park: 1 hour
• Lake Manyara National Park to Ngorongoro Conservation Area: 1 hour
• Lake Manyara National Park to Serengeti: 3.5 hours

Best time to visit Lake Manyara

The best time to see big animals in Lake Manyara is during the dry season, from July to October. If you are a bird lover, it is best to visit the park from November to June. During this season you can see thousands of flamingos and pelicans, the African osprey, the hornbill, the hammerhead shark, the black heron, the little bee-eater and many more.