Lake Manyara National Park lies at the foot of the Great Rift Valley escarpment. Its lush groundwater forest shelters large troops of baboons and blue monkeys, while the grassy floodplains lead down to a shallow soda lake where flamingos, pelicans and storks gather.
The park is famous for its tree-climbing lions, although sightings are rare, and for elephants moving through the forest. It makes a short, varied stop between Tarangire and Ngorongoro.
Highlights
- Groundwater forest
- Flamingos and pelicans
- Baboon troops
- Rift Valley escarpment views
Wildlife & what you'll see
- Olive baboon and blue monkey
- Elephant and giraffe
- Hippo
- Over 400 bird species
Things to do
- Game drives
- Treetop walkway
- Canoeing (seasonal)
Best time to visit
Year-round; birdlife peaks in the wet season (November–April).
Getting there
About 2 hours by road from Arusha.
Experiences in Lake Manyara
FAQs about Lake Manyara
Will I see tree-climbing lions?
They are part of Manyara's legend, but sightings are unpredictable. The park is well worth a visit for its forest and birdlife.
