Lake Manyara National Park

Tree-climbing lions, a million flamingos, and over 400 bird species — Tanzania's most diverse park in its most compact form.

Tree-Climbing Lions and a Million Flamingos

Lake Manyara National Park is one of Tanzania's most diverse and rewarding parks — a compact gem that punches far above its size. The alkaline lake that gives the park its name turns pink with flamingos during the wet season, while the groundwater forest along the escarpment shelters baboons, elephants, and over 400 bird species.

Manyara is famous for its tree-climbing lions — a rare behaviour seen in only a handful of locations worldwide. The lions of Manyara have developed the habit of resting in the branches of large fig and acacia trees, possibly to escape insects or to gain a better vantage point over the floodplains.

The park is typically visited as a day trip or overnight stop on the northern circuit between Arusha and the Serengeti. Its compact size makes it ideal for a half-day or full-day game drive, and the diversity of habitats — forest, floodplain, and lake — means wildlife sightings are reliably varied.

Best Time to Visit Lake Manyara

Lake Manyara is a year-round destination. The wet season brings flamingos to the lake; the dry season offers the best game viewing in the forest and floodplains.

What You'll See

Lake Manyara offers exceptional diversity in a compact area. The groundwater forest shelters elephant, baboon, and vervet monkey; the floodplains support buffalo, zebra, and wildebeest; and the lake itself attracts flamingos, pelicans, and hundreds of waterbird species.

Plan Your Lake Manyara Visit

Lake Manyara is the perfect introduction to Tanzania's northern circuit. We'll build an itinerary that makes the most of this extraordinary park alongside the Serengeti and Ngorongoro.