Northern Circuit
Tree-Climbing Lions Below the Rift
Compact but wonderfully varied, Lake Manyara nestles between the sheer wall of the Great Rift Valley escarpment and the shallow, alkaline lake that gives the park its name. In just a short drive you pass from lush groundwater forest to open floodplain and lakeshore.
The park is best known for its unusual tree-climbing lions and for the flamingos that gather in pink drifts along the water — all packed into an area of roughly 330 km², two-thirds of which is lake.
- Famous tree-climbing lions draped in the acacias
- Flamingos and pelicans on the soda lake
- Shady groundwater forest alive with baboons and monkeys
- Over 400 bird species in a compact, easy-to-visit park
Good to Know
Lake Manyara at a Glance
Wildlife You May Spot
Best Time to Visit
Dry season (June–October) for mammals; the wet months (November–June) are best for birds and flamingos.
Size
About 330 km², with the lake itself covering roughly two-thirds of the park at high water.
Famous For
Tree-climbing lions, flamingo flocks, a lush groundwater forest and hot springs.
Getting There
Around 2 hours from Arusha, an easy first or last stop en route to Ngorongoro.
- Tree-climbing lion
- Elephant
- Hippo
- Flamingo
- Baboon
- Blue monkey
- Giraffe
- Buffalo
- 400+ bird species
Things to Do
How You'll Explore
Because the park is small, Manyara works beautifully as a half- or full-day visit — game drives through the forest and along the lakeshore, with the option of a canopy walkway and superb birding throughout.
- Game-drive safaris from forest to lakeshore
- Guided walking safaris
- Treetop canopy walkway (where available)
- Birdwatching and photography by the lake
Add Manyara to Your Circuit
A perfect, easy-going complement to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro — let us plan it for you.