Lake Manyara National Park
Explore Tanzania's Gems
Explore Tanzania's Gems
Northern Tanzania
Lake Manyara is a compact gem that packs an immense amount of diversity into its relatively small boundaries. The park encompasses a variety of habitats: the soda-alkaline lake, groundwater forests, woodlands, open grasslands, and rocky escarpment.
It is world-famous for its unusual tree-climbing lions, which lounge in the branches of acacia trees to escape the heat and insects—a rare behavior seen in few places in the world.
Park Area
Bird Species
Best: Jun–Oct & Jan–Mar
Est. 1960
Highlights
One of nature's most unusual spectacles: lions lounging lazily in acacia branches. A rare behavior seen in very few places in Africa.
During the wet season, vast flocks turn the soda-alkaline lake into a sea of pink. Thousands of elegant birds feed on algae along the shoreline.
A dense evergreen forest fed by underground springs. Alive with blue monkeys, baboons, and hundreds of colorful bird species.
The groundwater forest is home to troops of blue monkeys and olive baboons, often seen foraging and grooming in the canopy.
Paddle silently across the lake during the wet season. Get surprisingly close to buffalo, giraffe, and hippos along the shoreline.
The Lake Manyara Tree Walkway offers a canopy-level view. Walk among treetops and observe birds, butterflies, and monkeys from above.
Mixed activities, culture, and wildlife fun
Paddle silently across the lake during the wet season, getting close to buffalo, giraffe, and flamingos along the shoreline.
Walk among the treetops at the Lake Manyara Tree Walkway. Observe birds, butterflies, and monkeys from a unique elevated perspective.
Cycle through the village and surrounding farmland with local guides. Experience rural Tanzanian life and visit family farms.
Enjoy authentic Tanzanian cuisine or join a cooking class to learn how to prepare traditional dishes with fresh local ingredients.
Join a night drive to spot nocturnal creatures: bushbabies, genets, civets, and owls. The park transforms after dark.
With 400+ species, Lake Manyara is a birder's delight. Spot flamingos, pelicans, hornbills, and the iconic tree-climbing lion.
Plan Your Visit
Best for wildlife viewing with excellent visibility. Tree-climbing lions are more active, and animals gather near the lake.
Canoeing possible, waterfalls in full flow, and migratory birds arrive. The park is lush, green, and less crowded.
