DESTINATION GUIDE // TANZANIA
Lake Manyara National Park
A narrow strip of forest, lake and escarpment, famous for lions that climb trees.
325 km2
PARK AREA
230 km2
IS LAKE
126 km
FROM ARUSHA
400+
BIRD SPECIES
Tree lions
SIGNATURE SIGHT
Quick answer: Lake Manyara National Park covers 325 square kilometres at the foot of the Rift Valley escarpment in northern Tanzania, roughly 126 km from Arusha. Around two thirds of the park is lake. It is best known for tree climbing lions and for large flocks of flamingo on the shallows.
OVERVIEW AND LOCATION
Lake Manyara National Park At A Glance
Manyara is small and easily covered in a day, which is why it usually opens or closes a northern circuit trip. The park packs a lot into a narrow band: groundwater forest at the entrance, open floodplain, the soda lake itself and the escarpment rising behind it. The tree climbing lions are genuinely unusual behaviour and not guaranteed, but the elephant and baboon populations are excellent regardless.
| Detail | At a glance |
|---|---|
| Location | Arusha and Manyara regions, northern Tanzania |
| Distance from Arusha | Approximately 126 km, 2 hours by road |
| Size | 325 km2, of which around 230 km2 is lake |
| Established | 1960 |
| Known for | Tree climbing lions, flamingo, groundwater forest |
| Typical visit | Half day to one full day |
WILDLIFE AND ACTIVITIES
What You Will See and Do
Tree Climbing Lions
Manyara lions rest in acacia branches, a behaviour recorded in very few places. Sightings are not guaranteed but the park is the most likely place to see it.
Flamingo and Waterbirds
The soda lake draws flamingo in large numbers along with pelican, stork and over 400 recorded species.
Groundwater Forest
Spring fed forest at the park entrance supports troops of baboon and blue monkey, and is a striking contrast to the open lakeshore.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
When To Go
| Months | What to expect | Crowds |
|---|---|---|
| Jun to Oct | Dry, game concentrated, best for large mammals | High |
| Nov to Jun | Wet season, superb birding and flamingo numbers | Medium |
| Jan to Feb | Warm and dry between the rains | Medium |
| Mar to May | Long rains, some tracks closed | Low |
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