Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park is a compact but incredibly diverse park covering 330 square kilometers, with two-thirds consisting of the alkaline Lake Manyara itself. Despite its small size, the park packs remarkable biodiversity into five distinct vegetation zones, from groundwater forest to open grassland and acacia woodland.

The park is world-famous for its tree-climbing lions, a rare behavior observed in only a few locations worldwide. The shallow lake attracts thousands of pink flamingos and over 400 other bird species, creating spectacular photo opportunities. Large elephant herds roam the forests, while hippos wallow in the pools and hot springs bubble along the lake shore.

Ernest Hemingway called this "the loveliest lake in Africa," and its scenic beauty combined with excellent wildlife viewing makes it a perfect addition to any northern circuit safari. The park offers unique experiences including canopy walks through the groundwater forest, night game drives, and cultural visits to nearby Mto wa Mbu village. Whether you're spotting lions lounging in fig trees or watching flamingos paint the lake pink, Lake Manyara delivers unforgettable moments in an intimate setting.

Highlights

• Famous tree-climbing lions
• Thousands of flamingos on alkaline lake
• Five distinct ecosystems
• Canopy walkway experience
• Hot springs and groundwater forest

Things to Do

• Game drives
• Canopy walk
• Night drives
• Bird watching
• Cultural village visits
• Mountain biking

Year-round; dry season June to October for wildlife; November to May for flamingos and lush scenery