Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara is really two lakes. Well, it is depending on the time of year you visit. In the dry season, with the water level low, it basically splits in two.

The northern end, where the Simba River feeds in, is swampy with fresh(-ish) water. There are reeds, plants, and lots of wildlife. Hippos soak in the muddy water, and zebras, wildebeests, and impala graze.

The other end looks very different: a vast, flat, featureless plain from the alkaline water. Lake Manyara is, after all, basically a salt lake (or, more properly, a soda lake). The grass, such that there is, is low. Only a few giraffes and wildebeests wander through the hazy heat.

Ernest Hemingway called Lake Manyara “the loveliest [lake] … in Africa.”

The National Park, which is relatively small compared with the nearby Tarangire National Park and very different from Ngorongoro Crater, also nearby, is famous for its climbing lions and troops of baboons. You’ll see plenty of baboons, although the lions are harder to catch a glimpse of (as are the leopards). And the thick jungle near the park entrance is the ideal habitat for blue monkeys and hundreds of varieties of birds.

Photos of Lake Manyara National Park

More About Lake Manyara National Park

• Lake Manyara National Park is located in northern Tanzania, within the Great Rift Valley.
• The park covers an area of 325 square kilometers (125 square miles), with approximately two-thirds of the park covered by Lake Manyara.
• The park is home to diverse ecosystems, including grassy floodplains, acacia woodlands, and evergreen forests.
• Wildlife in the park includes elephants, giraffes, hippos, wildebeest, impalas, and over 400 bird species.
• Lake Manyara National Park is known for its tree-climbing lions, a rare behavior observed among these big cats.
• The park is also home to thousands of flamingos, which gather around the alkaline lake.

Lake Manyara National Park, situated in northern Tanzania within the Great Rift Valley, is a unique and diverse ecosystem spanning 325 square kilometers (125 square miles). Approximately two-thirds of the park is covered by Lake Manyara, which attracts a wide variety of wildlife, including elephants, giraffes, hippos, wildebeest, and impalas. Additionally, the park is home to over 400 bird species, making it an excellent destination for birdwatching enthusiasts.

The park is particularly known for its tree-climbing lions, a rare behavior observed among these big cats. Thousands of flamingos also inhabit the park, gathering around the alkaline lake, creating a stunning visual spectacle. Lake Manyara National Park offers visitors the opportunity to explore its diverse landscapes and observe its abundant wildlife through guided game drives, walking safaris, and birdwatching tours.

What’s Nearby to Lake Manyara National Park

• Ngorongoro Conservation Area: A UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its volcanic caldera and diverse wildlife.
• Tarangire National Park: Famous for its large elephant population and baobab trees.
• Arusha National Park: A smaller park that offers views of Mount Meru, Tanzania’s second-highest mountain.

How to Get to Lake Manyara National Park

• Lake Manyara National Park is located in northern Tanzania.
• The nearest major airport is Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), approximately 120 kilometers (75 miles) from the park.
• Arusha, the closest city, is approximately 100 kilometers (62 miles) away and serves as a transportation hub for visitors to the park.
• From Arusha, visitors can arrange transportation to the park through private tour operators or rent a vehicle for a self-drive safari.

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