What You Need to Know: Lake Manyara National Park is a small park about 2 hours from Arusha, under the Rift Valley escarpment, with groundwater forest, acacia woodland and a soda-lake shore. Baboons, elephants, giraffes, hippos and waterbirds are seen on most visits; its tree-climbing lions sometimes, never guaranteed. Non-residents pay about US$59 per 24 hours. Half a day to a full day is enough, usually on the way to the Ngorongoro Crater.
What Makes Lake Manyara Worth a Visit?
The variety in a small area: forest, woodland, hot springs and the lake shore, all within a few hours' drive.
It is the greenest park on the northern circuit because the forest is fed by groundwater from the escarpment. Baboon troops are almost always seen. Elephants, giraffes, buffalo and hippos are common, and the lake attracts pelicans, storks and, in some seasons, flamingos.
| Habitat | What you may see |
|---|---|
| Groundwater forest | Baboons, blue monkeys, bushbuck |
| Acacia woodland | Elephants, giraffes, lions |
| Lake shore | Hippos, buffalo, pelicans, storks, seasonal flamingos |
It is a good short park for birdlife and for scenery under the escarpment.
Do the Lions Really Climb Trees?
Sometimes. Lions in Lake Manyara are known for resting in trees, but it is not something we can promise on any visit.
Tree-climbing lions are seen here and in a few other places, often in the acacia trees on hot afternoons. Sightings vary a lot from month to month. Your guide will check the areas where they have been seen recently.
- Possible on any drive, never guaranteed
- More often seen in the heat of the afternoon
- Ask your guide where they have been seen recently
Go for the whole park. A lion in a tree is a bonus.
How Long Should You Spend in Lake Manyara?
Half a day to a full day. Most of our safaris spend a morning or afternoon here on the way between Arusha and Ngorongoro.
The park is long and narrow between the escarpment and the lake, so one game drive covers its main areas. The village of Mto wa Mbu, at the park gate, is a good base and has a lively market.
| Plan | Good for |
|---|---|
| Half-day on the way to Ngorongoro | Most safaris |
| Full day trip from Arusha | Short stays |
| Night in Mto wa Mbu | An early start and a village walk |
Combine it with Tarangire and the crater for a classic three-park trip.
Where to Stay Near Lake Manyara
Most guests stay in Mto wa Mbu or on the escarpment above the park, with options at every level.
Escarpment lodges have wide views over the lake. Mto wa Mbu has simpler lodges and campsites, close to the gate.
| Level | Examples we book |
|---|---|
| Budget | Fig Tree Lodge, Nsya Lodge, Fanaka Campsite |
| Mid-range | Moonbow Lodge, Mawe Mawe Manyara, Manyara's Secret |
| Luxury | Lake Manyara Serena Lodge, Lake Manyara Kilimamoja Lodge |
See our full accommodation list.
We also book Suricata Boma Lodge at mid-range and Ngare Lodge and Lake Manyara Lodge and Campsite on a budget. These are lodges we book, or similar: we aren't limited to them and can arrange other lodges to suit your priorities.
Lake Manyara Safaris and Prices
A Lake Manyara day trip from Arusha costs from US$332 per person for 2, and the 2-day Manyara and Ngorongoro safari from US$890 per person.
All prices are per person for 2 travelers at mid-range level, with a private vehicle and guide.
Lake Manyara Day Trip
Forest, lake shore and birdlife, a day from Arusha
2-Day Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro
Lake Manyara, night in Karatu, crater morning
3-Day Tarangire, Manyara and Ngorongoro
Three parks close to Arusha, no long drives
5-Day Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Manyara
Two Serengeti nights plus Tarangire and Manyara
10-Day Tanzania Private Safari
Five Serengeti nights, Lake Manyara and the crater
Prices are per person, 2 people sharing.
For the best times of year, see when to go on safari in Tanzania.
Lake Manyara Park Fees in 2026
Non-resident adults pay about US$59 per 24 hours, with reduced fees for children aged 5 to 15 and free entry for under-5s. Fees are included in our prices.
Lake Manyara for Birders: The Birds to Look For
Lake Manyara is one of the best parks on the northern circuit for birds, with hundreds of species recorded in a small area: pelicans, storks and, when the water level suits them, flamingos on the lake; hornbills, kingfishers and turacos in the forest. November to March, when migrant species arrive, is the best time. Our guides carry binoculars in the vehicle; see our bird-watching safaris.
Our driver-guides graduated from the College of African Wildlife Management at Mweka and have five years of safari guiding. They speak English, and we can arrange French, Spanish, German or Chinese-speaking guides.
More than 400 bird species have been recorded: flamingos and pelicans on the lake, storks and herons in the shallows, and hornbills and turacos in the forest.
Adding Lake Manyara to Your Safari
Lake Manyara fits into almost any northern safari, usually on the way to or from the Ngorongoro Crater, or as a day trip from Arusha. Tell us your route and we fit it in at the best time of day.
Visit Lake Manyara on the way to the Ngorongoro Crater, and give it half a day to a full day.
Lake Manyara Questions Our Guests Ask
Is Lake Manyara worth visiting?
Yes, as part of a safari. It is small, but the forest, the lake and the birdlife make a good contrast with the bigger parks.
How far is Lake Manyara from Arusha?
About two hours by road, on the way to Ngorongoro.
Are there flamingos in Lake Manyara?
In some seasons, depending on the water level. They are never guaranteed.
How much does it cost to enter Lake Manyara?
About US$59 per non-resident adult per 24 hours in 2026, included in our prices.
Is Lake Manyara good for birdwatching?
Yes, one of the best in northern Tanzania.