Lake Manyara National Park

Famous for tree-climbing lions. Elephants are prolific and are the main attraction.

Lake Manyara National Park:
Destination Overview

 

Lake Manyara is a shallow, alkaline lake at the base of the Western Rift Valley escarpment. The park has a remarkable variety of habitats in a small area. The park entrance leads to a beautiful groundwater forest. Other habitats include the grassy floodplain, rocky escarpment and acacia woodland, all of which can be covered in a half-day visit. Deeper into the park a visit to the hot springs (Majo Moto) is recommended. This park is known for its large elephant population. The big cats are present, but not seen that easily. The forest patch is home to habituated troops of olive baboon and blue monkey. Buffalo, giraffe and several antelope species are easily encountered on a drive.

Spotlight On:

The tree climbing lions and explicit birdlife

Best time to Visit

  • J
  • F
  • M
  • A
  • M
  • J
  • J
  • A
  • S
  • O
  • N
  • D
Best
Good
Average

Visit Lake Manyara National Park; What to see and do.

The park is known for its legendary tree-climbing lions and impressively tusked elephants. Large buffalo, wildebeest and zebra herds congregate on the grassy plains. The lake is a seasonal home to large flocks of flamingos, and a wide array of waterbirds can be found on the shore at all times. The forest patch at the entrance of the park is home to habituated troops of olive baboon and blue monkey. The occasional bushbuck can also be spotted here, darting off in the undergrowth. Pairs of klipspringer are sometimes seen balancing on the rocks at the far south of the park and the hippo pool is a good place to see these semi-aquatic creatures up close.

Birdlife

Manyara provides the perfect introduction to Tanzania's birdlife. More than 400 species have been recorded and you can reasonably expect to observe 100 of these in one day. A big array of water-associated birds, including pink-backed pelicans, are easily seen around the hippo pool. When the water level is right, the lake is also home to thousands of pink-hued flamingo. More than 50 birds-of-prey have been recorded including the crowned eagle. Migratory birds are present from November to April.

Top Destinations Tanzania

Some of the highlights of top destinations you can visit while travelling to Tanzania. You will experience top wildlife encounters,
abundant birdlife, amazing cultures and lots of knowledge from Tanzania!

serengeti national park
Serengeti National Park

The Serengeti is one of the most famous parks in Africa and is synonymous with wildlife and classic African scenery. It is home to the spectacular wildebeest migration and offers top-class wildlife viewing throughout the year.

Explore
tarangire national park
Tarangire National Park

One of the more seasonal parks in northern Tanzania, with a lot of migratory movement. Herds of up to 300 elephant can be found, looking for underground streams in the dry riverbeds.

Explore
lake manyara national park
Lake Manyara National Park

The park is known for its legendary tree-climbing lions and impressively tusked elephants. Large buffalo, wildebeest and zebra herds congregate on the grassy plains. The lake is a seasonal home to large flocks of flamingos.

Explore
gombe national park
Gombe National Park

Gombe Stream is one of the best places in Africa to track chimpanzees. First researched in the 60's by Jane Goodall, the primates are remarkably habituated.

Explore
katavi national park
Katavi National Park

Katavi is pure wilderness. This classic Dry-season park is completely off the beaten track, but teeming with wildlife. This classic Dry-season park is completely off the beaten track, but teeming with wildlife.

Explore
ngorongoro crater
Ngorongoro Crater

Most amazing setting to see multitudes of wildlife with a backdrop of the 600m/1,968ft-high crater wall. The Ngorongoro Crater offers some of the best wildlife viewing in Africa. All the major safari animals occur in great numbers.

Explore
mahale mountains national park
Mahale Mountains National Park

Set among the spectacular, forested slopes of the Mahale Mountains, the Mahale Mountains National Park was originally created to protect the thousands of chimpanzees that inhabit the region. It is renowned for its fantastic sunsets over Lake Tanganyika

Explore
nyerere national park
Nyerere National Park

Tanzania’s largest national park (Formerly: Selous Game Reserve). The lifeblood of this wilderness is the mighty Rufiji river and network of interconnected lakes.

Explore
ruaha national park
Ruaha National Park

Tanzania's second largest national park (after Nyerere NP) and offers excellent wildlife viewing. It is particularly good for spotting predators, including very large prides of lion and the endangered wild dog.

Explore

Want a Free Safari Consultation?

Talk to our tour consultants: | EMAIL: safaris@safaripartnersafrica.com | TEL: +256 709 80 81 43