1-Day Trip Tour to Lake Manyara National Park

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/31mi 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/50mi.

Watching wildlife in Lake Manyara National Park is good all year, but is at its best from June to October, during the Dry season. However, this very scenic park is at its most beautiful during the Wet season, from November to May, when the vegetation is lush and waterfalls cascade down the escarpment. Be warned though that March and April tend to be very wet.

Lake Manyara National Park is known for its legendary tree-climbing lions and impressively tusked elephants. Large buffalo, wildebeest and zebra herds gather on the grassy plains. The escarpment is home to a dense leopard population, but you’ll need some luck to see one of these secretive big cats.

The forest patch at the entrance of the park is home to habituated troops of olive baboons and blue monkeys. The occasional bushbuck can also be spotted here, darting off in the undergrowth. Cute little dik-diks with their Bambi eyes and wriggly noses are common, and klipspringer pairs are sometimes seen balancing on the rocks at the far south of the park.

Lake Manyara National Park provides a great introduction to Tanzania’s birdlife. More than 400 species have been recorded and you might be able to observe 100 in one day. The park supports a big array of waterbirds, including pelicans. When the water level is right, thousands of pink-hued flamingos flock to the lake to breed and feed. Unfortunately, access to the shore is restricted and you might not be able to see them. More than 50 species of bird of prey have been recorded, including crowned eagle and African hawk-eagle. Migratory birds are present from November to April.

The Lake Manyara National Park entrance fee is $59 for non-resident adults and $18 for non-resident children. This is valid for 24 hours but only permits one entry, so you'll need to pay the fee again if you leave and re-enter the park.