What Makes Lake Manyara So Special?
Found beneath the Great Rift Valley escarpment, Lake Manyara National Park fits an unusual amount of variety into a small space. Groundwater forest gives way to acacia woodland, open floodplain, and the shallow, alkaline lake itself, which makes up close to two-thirds of the park and draws in flocks of flamingos and other waterbirds when the water’s high.
Manyara is best known for two things: its tree-climbing lions… a rare behaviour thought to help them escape the heat and biting insects and its large, easy-to-spot elephant herds moving through the forest. Ernest Hemingway once called it “the loveliest lake in Africa,” and standing on the escarpment looking down over the water, it’s easy to see why.
Let Inland Safari Adventures bring Lake Manyara into your Tanzania itinerary for a scenic, wildlife-rich stop that’s easy to combine with the rest of the Northern Circuit.
Getting to Lake Manyara
Lake Manyara sits about 1.5 to 2 hours’ drive from Arusha, making it one of the most convenient parks to reach on a Northern Circuit safari. It’s commonly visited on the way to or from Ngorongoro and the Serengeti, slotting in naturally as a half-day or full-day stop along your route.
Our team builds Manyara into your itinerary at whichever point makes the most sense — as a gentle first taste of the bush, or a scenic stopover between bigger destinations.
Top Lake Manyara Safari Activities
Game Drives Search the forest and lakeshore for tree-climbing lions, large elephant herds, and troops of baboon… Manyara has one of the biggest baboon populations in Africa.
Birdwatching With over 400 species recorded, including flamingos, pelicans, and storks, Manyara is one of the best birding destinations in northern Tanzania.
Canoeing (seasonal) When water levels allow, canoe trips on the lake offer a different perspective on the birdlife and wider landscape.
Cultural Visits Nearby Maasai and Mto wa Mbu villages offer a window into local life and culture, easily combined with a park visit.