Lake Manyara National Park
Discover Lake Manyara National Park
Nestled beneath the towering cliffs of the Manyara Escarpment, Lake Manyara National Park beckons with its diverse ecosystems, unparalleled birdlife, and awe-inspiring vistas. As a gateway to the renowned Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti, this park offers a captivating journey all its own. From lush groundwater forests to baobab-dotted plains and algae-streaked hot springs, Lake Manyara showcases an extraordinary array of landscapes teeming with wildlife and bird species.
A Short History On Lake Manyara National Park
Established in 1960, the park was originally designated to protect the area’s diverse wildlife and stunning landscapes, including the shallow, alkaline Lake Manyara, which covers a significant portion of the park.
Before its establishment as a national park, the region was inhabited by the Maasai people, who used the lush plains and forests for grazing their cattle. European explorers and missionaries, attracted by the area’s natural beauty and abundant wildlife, began visiting in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Their accounts highlighted the region’s ecological significance and laid the groundwork for its conservation.
Today, Lake Manyara National Park is celebrated for its tree‑climbing lions, vast flocks of flamingos that fringe the alkaline lake, and dense groundwater forests that shelter elephants, buffalo, and an abundance of birdlife. Its compact size makes for rewarding game viewing in a single day, and its proximity to Arusha and the Ngorongoro Highlands makes it a popular stop along Tanzania’s northern safari circuit.
Lake Manyara National Park's Attractions
What to expect in Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara delivers remarkable diversity within a compact area. Explore lush groundwater forests alive with baboon troops and blue monkeys, open floodplains where elephants graze, and the shimmering alkaline lake that attracts thousands of flamingos and pelicans seasonally. The Rift Valley escarpment provides sweeping views, hippos wallow at the hippo pools, and—if you’re lucky—you might spot the park’s famed tree‑climbing lions resting on acacia branches.
Lake Manyara
This is shallow alkaline lake with an average depth of 10 feet and covers two thirds of the park and is the major attraction of the park. The water level fluctuates over time depending on different factors such as the dry season during which the water evaporates
It has a variety of bird species along it's shores especially flamingos as well as other different wildlife species in the nearby savannah plains
Bird species
Different bird species can be also seen in the national park and these include both migrant as well as native bird species such as flamingos, ostriches, storks, hornbills, pelicans, herons, grey crowned cranes, secretary birds among others
Hot springs
The Majimoto hot springs - whose name technically means "hot water" in swahili - can be seen along the western shores of Lake Manyara. The geothermal feature is formed by underground water that passes through hot volcanic magma rocks of the great rift valley.
Activities Done In Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National Park's Activities
Discover varied activities that match the park’s diverse habitats: enjoy game drives along the lakeshore, exceptional birdwatching with 400+ species, and (when water levels allow) canoeing on the lake for a fresh perspective. Night game drives offer the chance to spot nocturnal species, while cultural visits to nearby Mto wa Mbu provide insight into local life. Guided nature walks along the escarpment and forested trails reveal smaller wildlife and beautiful viewpoints.
Game drive
This is one of the popular activities in Lake Manyara national park that is done in a 4WD safari vehicle. Game drives in the park are best done very early in the morning so as to view predators before going back to their hiding areas or during the afternoon in the grassland and woodland plains.
During the game drive you will follow different tracks which offer you with spectacular views of animals like the tree-climbing lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, impalas, leopards, gazelles, waterbucks, bushbucks, lions, bird species, different vegetation types, views of the sunrise/sunset among others.
Canoeing
This is an exciting activity in the park where you will paddle along the lake with an experienced guide. Canoeing on Lake Manyara takes about 2 to 3 hours and can either be done in the morning or in the afternoon.
During the canoeing activity you will paddle close to animals like hippos in water, view elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, giraffes, warthogs among others drinking water along the shores, water birds like pink flamingos, have beautiful views of the scenery, sunrise or sunset among others.
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