What You Need to Know: A Lake Manyara day trip from Arusha takes about two hours each way, with game drives through groundwater forest, woodland and along the lake shore, where baboons, elephants, giraffes, hippos and water birds are seen on most visits. It costs from US$265 per person for 2 travelers, including a private Land Cruiser and guide, the park fee and lunch; six pay US$150 each. The treetop walkway is extra.
What Makes Lake Manyara Different
| Area | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Groundwater forest | Baboons, blue monkeys, elephants |
| Hippo pool | Hippos and water birds |
| Lake shore | Flamingos when the level suits them, pelicans, storks |
| Escarpment | Views over the Rift Valley |
Lions sometimes rest in the trees here, but that is never guaranteed. More in our Lake Manyara guide.
Treetop Walkway
A canopy walkway runs through the forest at treetop height. It takes about an hour, carries a separate fee and is a good break from the vehicle. Ask us to include it when you book.
How the Day Runs
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 7:00 am | Pickup from your Arusha hotel |
| About 9:00 am | Through Mto wa Mbu to the park gate |
| Morning | Forest and woodland game drive |
| Midday | Picnic lunch |
| Afternoon | Lake shore and hippo pool |
| Evening | Back in Arusha |
Price per Person
| Travelers | Price per person |
|---|---|
| 1 | US$445 |
| 2 | US$265 |
| 3 | US$210 |
| 4 | US$180 |
| 5 | US$160 |
| 6 | US$150 |
Prices include the Lake Manyara entry fee, about US$59 per adult per 24 hours (US$53.10 from mid-March to mid-May), including VAT; children aged 5–15 pay less and under-5s enter free, a picnic lunch and a private vehicle. The treetop walkway is extra.
Manyara or Tarangire for One Day?
| Lake Manyara | Tarangire | |
|---|---|---|
| Drive from Arusha | About 2 hours | About 2 hours |
| Best for | Forest, birds, scenery | Elephants, baobabs |
| Best months | All year; birds November – March | June – October |
| Price (2 travelers) | US$265 | US$265 |
Tarangire Day Trip
Elephants and baobabs, a day from Arusha
Ngorongoro Crater Day Trip
One full day on the crater floor from Arusha
What You Can See in a Day
| Area | Wildlife |
|---|---|
| Groundwater forest | Olive baboon troops, blue monkeys, bushbucks |
| Lake shore and floodplain | Buffaloes, wildebeest, zebras, giraffes, and flamingos when the water suits them |
| Hippo pool | Hippos and water birds such as pelicans and storks |
| Acacia woodland | Elephants and, sometimes, lions resting in the trees |
Who a Manyara Day Trip Suits
- Travelers with one free day in Arusha
- Birdwatchers: the park has more than 400 species
- Families: drive times are short, about 2 hours each way
- Guests on the way to the Ngorongoro highlands or Lake Natron
For more parks in two days, see our 2-day Tarangire and Ngorongoro safari or all safari packages.
How the Day Runs
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| 6:30 | Pickup in Arusha |
| 8:30 | Enter the park through the groundwater forest |
| Midday | Picnic lunch at a site near the hippo pool |
| Afternoon | Lake shore and acacia woodland, looking for elephants and lions in trees |
| 17:00 | Leave the park, back in Arusha in the evening |
Price per Person
From US$265 per person for 2 travelers, with a private Land Cruiser, driver-guide, park fees and a picnic lunch; the price falls for larger groups. See our day trips or, for two parks, the 2-day Manyara and Ngorongoro safari.
Tips
- Bring binoculars for birds
- Look up in the acacias for lions and leopards
- Bring a warm layer for the early start
A Park Below the Escarpment
Lake Manyara National Park lies along the foot of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, a steep wall of rock rising hundreds of meters above the lake. Springs at its base feed a groundwater forest, green all year even in the dry season, which is home to large troops of baboons and blue monkeys. Beyond the forest the park opens into acacia woodland and grassy floodplains along the soda lake.
Because the park is narrow, you see several habitats in a single day: forest, woodland, river, swamp and lake shore. That variety, and the short drive from Arusha, is what makes Manyara such a good one-day safari. If you continue to the Ngorongoro highlands, Manyara also fits neatly on the way; see our Ngorongoro Crater day trip.
Who the Day Trip Is For
A Lake Manyara day trip is perfect for travelers with one free day in Arusha who want a real safari without a long drive. It is also popular with families, because the drive is only about two hours each way and the park is compact, so children don't spend the whole day in the vehicle.
If you have two days, add the Ngorongoro Crater; with three, add Tarangire as well. See our safari packages for routes that include Manyara.
Lake Manyara Questions
Is Lake Manyara worth a day trip?
Yes: forest, lake and escarpment in one small park, with short drives.
Will we see tree-climbing lions?
Sometimes; it is never guaranteed.
Will we see flamingos?
In some seasons, depending on the water level.
Will I see tree-climbing lions in Lake Manyara?
Sometimes. The park is famous for them, but they are seen less often than its baboons, elephants and birds.
Are there flamingos in Lake Manyara?
At times, depending on the water level; your guide will know where they are.
Is Lake Manyara worth a day trip?
Yes, for variety and birds in a small park close to Arusha; for the Big Five, choose the Ngorongoro Crater.
What is the best time for a Lake Manyara day trip?
The dry season, June to October, is best for game viewing; November to April is greener and better for birds, with migrant species arriving.
The Bottom Line
Choose Lake Manyara for forest, birds and Rift Valley scenery on an easy day from Arusha; combine it with the crater for a 2-day trip.
Send us your date, where you are staying and the number of travelers (with children's ages) through the form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com, and our team will confirm the pickup time and send your quotation.