Lake Manyara National Park is home to a lot of Tanzania’s big game in a small space. There is a large elephant population that can be easily spotted on a safari along with buffalo, wildebeest, giraffes, and zebras on the grassy floodplains. Olive baboons populate the inner forests along with the blue monkeys where the tree-climbing lion and bushbuck can be (rarely) spotted.

However, Lake Manyara National Park’s bird variety and population is magnificent. Home to over 400 species of birds, keen ornithologists are treated a great introduction to the country’s birdlife. Seasonal flocks of pink-hued flamingo permeate the Manyara lakeshore alongside pelicans, cormorants, storks, and other waterbirds. These migratory birds comes from as far as North Africa and even Europe. They are best seen between November and April when other species show off their mating plumage, but this may not be the best time to see the big game which is better seen in the dry June to October season.

DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTS YOU WILL EXPERIENCE

SWAMP	LAKE

 

Lake Manyara National Park is located in Northern Tanzania at the Southern border of the Arusha and Manyara regions. The Park is mostly a narrow strip of land that runs between the Gregory Rift wall in the West and Lake Manyara to the East, in all containing 330 square kilometers of safari land including massive alkaline lakes that disappear in the dry season.

Arusha is the starting point for most safaris to Manyara from where the Park’s entrance gate is a one and half hour’s drive West, close to the small Mto wa Mbu market town. Arusha is served by its own regional airport (ARK) that can be reached via Dar es Salaam’s Julius Nyere International Airport, or the closer by Kilimanjaro International Airport where regular KLM flights from Amsterdam land as well as new Qatar and Turkish Airlines routes.

Alternatively, there is actually an airstrip in Manyara (LKY) which can take chartered flights from Arusha or a shuttle bus can take you from Kenya to Arusha but most safari operators will pick you up at the airport and take you from there. The Park is en route to the Ngorongoro and Serengeti parks.

The best time of year to visit Lake Manyara National park to see the large mammals is between the July and October dry seasons, whereas the November to June wet season is best for birdwatching and also gives rise to the alkaline lakes, waterfalls, and canoeing opportunities.

Total Land Area	Elevation above sea level	Nearest Major City & Airport	When To Visit
644 sq km About the same size as Singapore	960 – 1480 m  About 340 stacked giraffes	ARUSHA About 113 km East	Jan Feb March Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

 

Total Land Area

644 sq km About the same size as Singapore

Elevation above sea level

960 – 1480 m  About 340 stacked giraffes

Nearest Major City & Airport

ARUSHA About 113 km East

When To Visit

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

 

This is usually in a large vehicle with space for up to 8 guests. Can decrease prices a lot especially for groups less than 3. Great opportunity to meet other people from around the world. You have separate rooms but the benefit of good company during transfers and meals. View Shared Safaris

This is a private vehicle allowing you complete freedom. You can decide on when you want to start & end your safari day. Complete freedom – stop when & for how long you want. Recommended for specialist photographers, honeymooners and families View Private Safaris