The Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania Wildlife Safaris

The Lake Manyara National Park is among the best destinations in Tanzania. It is famous for its unique vegetation, the tree-climbing lions and for housing thousands of pink lesser flamingos. Hence, a perfect spot for wildlife and birding safaris. Visit Lake Manyara for a chance to see a variety of wildlife species and over 350 bird species.

Here are the top attractions at the Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania:

  • Wildlife
  • Tree climbing lions
  • Unique and diverse vegetation sceneries
  • Pink Lesser flamingos
  • Large herds of elephants
  • Lake Manyara Treetop way

Lake Manyara National Park Information Facts

  • The Lake Manyara National Park is a protected area in Tanzania in the Manyara and Arusha regions.
  • Established in 1965, the park is part of the Lake Manyara Biosphere Reserve
  • It covers an area of 325 square kilometers and runs under the Tanzania National Parks Authority.
  • The area includes a 230km squared area covering Lake Manyara, an alkaline lake.
  • Lake Manyara is home to the endangered fish species Oreochromis amphimelas and the lake acts as conservation area for the fish

Lake Manyara National Park Safaris and Tours

Available Activities in the Lake Manyara National Park

Here are some of the activities you can do at the Lake Manyara National Park: 

Bird Watching & Photography

Lake Manyara National Park is an ideal place for bird watching. There are many bird species in the park including African fish eagle, Africana jacana, black heron, little bee-eater, silvery cheeked hornbill and baglafecht weaver. Lake Manyara is equipped with pink lesser flamingos that are beautiful to watch. It is best to go bird watching in the early morning. Also, get a professional tour guide to take you around the important birding areas.

Game Drive

Game drives at Lake Manyara are special and exciting. The Park is full of diverse wild animals and plant species. It is easy to go for a game drive at any time. Of course, you must follow the guide’s instructions at all times. Also, the Park is ideal for night game drives.

Walking Safaris

The Lake Manyara National Park allows the walking safaris. It is a chance for you to connect with nature as you watch animals and birds. The walks are guided with professional armed guides to protect you.

Wildlife Filming & Photography

If you are a big fan of photography or film, you should try visiting the Lake Manyara National Park. From the wildlife to birding, you can enjoy filming all the amazing things in the wild. The vegetation is also unique and interesting to see.

When is the Best Time to Visit the Lake Manyara National Park?

The best time to visit Lake Manyara is from June to October. During the dry season, it is easy to explore the park. Also, it is easy to spot the animals since the vegetation is quite short. However, the scenery is best during the wet season. The look has a unique green color that is impossible not to love.

Popular Routes to Lake Manyara National Park

Visitors can get to Lake Manyara by flight or drive.

  • By Flight: You can take flights from Dares Salaam, Arusha, and Serengeti to the park’s airstrip.
  • By Road: Driving from Arusha by car will take approximately one and a half hours. For people coming from the Ngorongoro Crater, the drive takes approximately 2 hours. Note that the driving time depends on the road and speed.
Hell's gate national park

Safety Guides & Tips 

  • Do not litter in the Lake Manyara Park
  • Do not attempt to touch or feed the animals at any time
  • Do not get out of your car during the game drive at all times
  • Always listen to your guide at all times
  • Get a professional tour guide from a reputable Tours and Travel agency
  • Travelers should keep a distance from the wild animals

Where to Stay at the Lake Manyara?

There are so many places to stay when visiting the Lake Manyara National Park. Some top places to stay include the Lake Manyara Wildlife Lodge, Beyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge, Africa Safari Lake Manyara, etc. The Park has specific areas where you can camp. Campsites are well-protected by professional rangers at all times. However, it is important to remember their guidelines at all times.

Lake Manyara FAQs 

Yes! Lake Manyara is worth visiting. It is famous for having tree-climbing lions, which are easy to spot on the park’s acacia and sausage trees. Also, the lake houses thousands of pink flamingos.  

Lake Manyara is notable for its vegetation: acacia woodlands, forested area, savannah grasslands, rocky escarpment, and flood plains. Also, it is a popular attraction for having tree-climbing lions, which are easy to spot in a Lake Manyara National Park safari.

You can go to Lake Manyara National Park at any time of the year. However, the best time to visit Lake Manyara is from June to October. During this time, it is the dry season, making it easy to spot any animals and navigate through the park.

It is home to thousands of lesser flamingos, the special tree-climbing lions, and among the top elephant’s concentration.

You can see lesser flamingos at all times at the Lake Manyara shores. However, the best time to see the birds is during the wet season.  

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