Lake manyara national park

Overview–tanzania

Lake Manyara National Park

Explore Lake Manyara National Park with Moonlight Tours Expedition

Nestled at the base of the towering Rift Valley escarpment, Lake Manyara National Park is a haven of diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife. Known for its shallow alkaline lake, unique habitats, and iconic tree-climbing lions, this park offers a range of unforgettable experiences. Let Moonlight Tours Expedition guide you through this enchanting destination, where every turn reveals something extraordinary.

Scenery: A Landscape Like No Other

Lake Manyara National Park is a small area with an astonishing array of habitats, each with its own charm:

  • Groundwater Forest: Walk through a lush, jungle-like forest filled with towering mahogany and fig trees. The dense canopy is alive with the chatter of olive baboons and blue monkeys.
  • Grassy Floodplains: This open space is home to large herds of elephants and grazing animals, offering picturesque views and an ever-changing wildlife scene.
  • Rocky Escarpment: The dramatic cliffs of the Rift Valley create an awe-inspiring backdrop for your exploration.
  • Acacia Woodland: A tranquil area to observe the diversity of plant and animal life, from birdlife to grazing herds.

A quick half-day visit covers these remarkable ecosystems, but don’t miss the Maji Moto hot springs deeper in the park—an unmissable natural wonder.

Activities: Immersive Experiences in Nature

  • Game Drives: Experience the park’s rich wildlife from the comfort of your vehicle, where you can quickly spot iconic animals such as elephants, zebras, and giraffes.
  • Night Drive: As the sun sets, the Serengeti’s nocturnal creatures come to life. A night drive offers a unique opportunity to spot elusive species, like leopards, that are most active after dark.
  • Canoe Safari: Paddle across the lake and enjoy the peaceful serenity of the water. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch sight of the flamingos that flock to the lake, their pink hues adding a vibrant contrast to the landscape.
  • Walking Safari: For a more intimate experience with the park, a walking safari allows you to explore the natural beauty of the land on foot, guided by our expert rangers.
  • Treetop Walkway: One of the park’s most thrilling features, the 370m-long treetop walkway takes you through the forest canopy, offering a bird’s-eye view of this extraordinary ecosystem. Perfect for those seeking an adventure high above the ground!

Why Choose Moonlight Tours Expedition?

With Moonlight Tours Expedition, your visit to Lake Manyara National Park will be an unforgettable journey. From exciting game drives to serene canoe safaris, we craft experiences that bring you closer to nature. Our expert guides ensure your adventure is safe, enriching, and full of awe-inspiring moments.

Join us at Lake Manyara National Park and immerse yourself in a world of wildlife, stunning landscapes, and one-of-a-kind experiences.

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Rates

From: $152 to $651 pp/day

Best Time to Go

From: June to October (Easier to spot animals)

High Season

From: July to March (The northern section gets crowded)

Size

From: 330km² / 127mi²

​Wildlife & Animals

Explore Lake Manyara National Park with Moonlight Tours Expedition

Lake Manyara National Park , nestled in northern Tanzania, is renowned for its extraordinary wildlife and diverse ecosystems. Known for its tree-climbing lions, majestic tusked elephants, and impressive herds of buffalo, wildebeest, and zebras, this park offers an unforgettable safari experience. In addition to its iconic wildlife, the park’s escarpment is a haven for leopards—though spotting these elusive big cats requires a bit of luck.

Wildlife Highlights: A Rich Tapestry of Species

At Moonlight Tours Expedition, we guide you through the vibrant ecosystems of Lake Manyara, where a variety of wildlife awaits:

  • Baboons and Monkeys : The forest at the park’s entrance is home to habituated troops of olive baboons and blue monkeys, offering delightful encounters as they play and forage.
  • Dik-Diks and Klipspringers : Spot these charming creatures—dik-diks, with their expressive eyes and twitching noses, and klipspringers, often seen balancing on rocky outcrops in the park's southern reaches.
  • Hidden Gems : The park is also home to the elusive bushbuck, often darting through the undergrowth, adding to the park’s sense of mystery and excitement.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing: When to Visit

While Lake Manyara offers year-round wildlife sightings, there are ideal times to visit for the best experience:

  • Dry Season (June to October) : This is the peak time for wildlife viewing. As the vegetation thins and animals converge around water sources, spotting wildlife becomes easier and more rewarding.
  • Wet Season (November to May) : While this season offers stunning landscapes and lush greenery, the wet months (especially March and April) see heavier rainfall, which can make wildlife sightings a bit more challenging.

Why Choose Moonlight Tours Expedition?

At Moonlight Tours Expedition, we ensure you experience Lake Manyara’s wildlife in the most immersive and personal way. Our expert guides provide in-depth knowledge of the park’s diverse species and habitats, making each safari a learning experience. From the thrill of spotting a tree-climbing lion to the peaceful encounter with a dik-dik, we’re committed to making your journey through Lake Manyara unforgettable.

Embark on an adventure with us—discover the secrets of Lake Manyara and witness its captivating wildlife.

General Wheather

The climate in Lake Manyara National Park is pleasantly warm. Average temperatures are consistent throughout the year. It is very rarely extremely hot, but it is often chilly during the evening and early morning. Taking warm clothing along on early morning game drives is recommended.

Lake Manyara's Dry season is from June to October. The Wet season consists of two rainy periods: the short rains (November to December) and the long rains (March to May), with a dry spell in between. It rarely rains the whole day.

Dry Season –June to October

It is usually sunny and bright and it hardly ever rains.

  • June, July, August & September  – Afternoon temperatures are normally around 26°C/79°F. Nighttime temperatures get as cold as 14°C/57°F. This cold weather remains in the morning, so be sure to bring plenty of warm clothes for early game drives.
  • October  – The short rains can begin in October.

Wet Season –November to May

It is warm in the Wet season, with temperatures peaking in the afternoon around 28°C/82°F. Nighttime temperatures are around 19°C/66°F.

  • November & December  – 'Short rains' – These rains last for about one month and can occur anytime between November and December. Afternoon showers may occur, but it is unusual for it to rain all day so this will have little impact on your trip.
  • January & February  – A period of dry weather is likely between the two rainy seasons, although the timing is hard to predict.
  • March, April & May  – 'Long rains' – Although it rains daily during the wettest months, it is unusual for it to last the whole day. It is mostly cloudy.

​Prons

  • Very relaxed elephants to view at close range
  • Stunning scenery
  • Superb birding
  • Near Arusha and en route to Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park
  • Activities include canoe safaris, night drives, and a treetop walkway
  • Rarely crowded in the morning

​Cons

  • Limited game-drive circuit
  • Limited accommodation inside the park, but plenty just outside
  • Crowded with day visitors (mainly in the afternoons)

How To Get There

Lake Manyara National Park is part of the popular Northern safari circuit. Arusha is the gateway town and the best way to get there is to fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), which is about 50km/31 mi from Arusha. It is also possible to fly into Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam and fly on to Arusha Airport (ARK) or Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).

There are flights from Arusha and Serengeti National Park to Lake Manyara's airstrip, but the trip from Arusha on the tarred road only takes 1½ hours* by car.

Coming from the Ngorongoro Crater, the driving time is about 2 hours* to cover the 80km/50 mi.

*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.

Airlines & Ticket Prices

Please check Sky scanner to see which airlines can take you to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR), and what tickets would cost.

Domestic Flights

In most cases, flights between parks are booked by your tour operator as part of your safari package. Domestic flights can be booked with local carriers:

  • Coastal Aviation (Flies to Manyara, Arusha Airport and Kilimanjaro Airport)
  • Air Excel (Flies to Manyara, Arusha Airport and Kilimanjaro Airport)
  • Regional Air (Flies to Manyara, Arusha Airport and Kilimanjaro International Airport)
  • Safari Air Link (Flies to Manyara, Arusha Airport and Kilimanjaro International Airport)
  • Auric Air (Flies to Manyara, Arusha Airport and Kilimanjaro International Airport)
  • Air Tanzania (Flies to Arusha Airport and Kilimanjaro International Airport)
  • Precision Air (Flies to Arusha Airport and Kilimanjaro International Airport)
  • ZanAir (Flies to Arusha Airport)
  • As Salaam Air (Flies to Arusha Airport)