01Tree-climbing lions
Manyara's lions like to rest in acacia branches. Sightings are rare — and unforgettable.
Tanzania
Lake Manyara National Park
A green strip of park between the wall of the Great Rift Valley and a shallow soda lake — famous for tree-climbing lions, flamingos and a cool groundwater forest.
About the place
Discover Lake Manyara National Park
Rain falling on the highlands seeps through the rock of the Rift Valley wall and rises again as springs, feeding a tall groundwater forest in the middle of dry country.
The park was created in 1960 and is part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Ernest Hemingway called the lake "the loveliest I had seen in Africa". Its lions are known for resting in the branches of acacia trees.
What you will see
- Tree-climbing lions
- Flamingos and pelicans
- Baboons and blue monkeys
- The Rift Valley escarpment
Activities
Things to do in Lake Manyara National Park
01
02Flamingos and water birds
Flamingos, pelicans and storks gather on the shore, depending on the water level.
03The groundwater forest
Tall fig and mahogany trees full of baboons and blue monkeys.
04Mto wa Mbu by bicycle
Ride through banana farms, markets and village life beside the park gate.
2-Day Lake Manyara & Ngorongoro Crater Safari
Tree-climbing lions and flamingos at Lake Manyara, then the Big Five in the Ngorongoro Crater.
3-Day Tarangire, Ngorongoro & Lake Manyara Safari
Three parks in three days: Tarangire's elephants, the Ngorongoro Crater and the lake and lions of Manyara.
4-Day Lake Manyara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Safari
Lake Manyara, a tented-camp night in the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater, with comfortable lodges.
4-Day Manyara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Camping Safari
The same great circuit at a lower price, with campsite or simple hotel nights and a tented camp in the Serengeti.
5-Day Tarangire, Manyara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Safari
Four parks in five days, with a full day in the Serengeti and flamingos on Lake Magadi in the crater.
6-Day Lake Manyara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Safari
An arrival day to rest, Lake Manyara, two Serengeti days and a full day in the Ngorongoro Crater.
6-Day Tarangire, Manyara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Safari
The complete northern circuit: four parks in six days, from Tarangire's baobabs to the Ngorongoro Crater.
7-Day Northern Tanzania’s Great Wildlife Safari
A week of the north's great wildlife, with two Serengeti days and a night at Angata luxury tented camp.
8-Day Northern Tanzania’s Great Wildlife Safari
Wildlife and culture: the great parks of the north plus the Hadzabe and Datoga peoples of Lake Eyasi.
9-Day Northern Tanzania’s Great Wildlife Safari
Nine days, five parks and three full days in the Serengeti — the north at its most complete.
7-Day Great Migration Fly-in Safari
Fly straight into the Serengeti to follow the migration, then drive back through the crater, Manyara and Tarangire.
Honeymoon
6-Day Honeymoon Safari Special
Private game drives, decorated rooms and candle-lit dinners — a safari designed for two.
Luxury
9-Day Premium Luxury Safari
Nine days in luxury lodges and tented camps, a honeymoon suite at Ngorongoro Lions Paw and the migration in season.
All-inclusive
6-Day Luxury All-Inclusive Safari
Six all-inclusive days in high-end lodges and camps, with nature walks, a Maasai visit and bush lunches.
3-Day Fly-in Ngorongoro Safari from Zanzibar
Leave the beach for three days of Tarangire, the Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara — by plane, not by road.
3-Day Big Five Budget Safari
Tarangire, a long day in the Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara — the Big Five at a lower price.
Bush & beach
10 Days Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Beach
Six days of private safari through four parks, then three days on Zanzibar's beaches and in Stone Town.
Honeymoon
10-Day Honeymoon Luxury Safari & Zanzibar Beach
A honeymoon suite on the crater rim, luxury tented camps in the Serengeti and a beachfront finish on Zanzibar.
Kilimanjaro to Karatu Cycling Adventure
Five days in the saddle from Kilimanjaro to the edge of the Ngorongoro, through Maasai land and wildlife corridors.
Tripadvisor
What travellers say on Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor
“An Amazing Trip with all of the Big 5”
Tripadvisor
“An unforgettable safari experience”
Tripadvisor
“The safari of a lifetime!”
Tripadvisor
“Amazing experience with great guide”
Tripadvisor
“Wonderful Tanzania”
Tripadvisor
“Simply amazing”
Tripadvisor
“Experiencia única e inolvidable”
Tripadvisor
“Meraviglioso safari”
Tripadvisor
“Amazing- Unique Safari Experience!”
Tripadvisor
“6-Day Tanzania Wildlife Safari & Materuni Waterfalls / Coffee tour”
Serengeti National Park33 trips
Ngorongoro Crater41 trips
Mount Kilimanjaro27 trips
Tarangire National Park33 trips
Zanzibar6 trips
Arusha National Park & Mount Meru4 trips
Lake Eyasi5 trips
Nyerere National Park (Selous)4 trips
Ruaha National Park6 trips
Mikumi National Park7 trips
Udzungwa Mountains National Park2 trips
Mkomazi National Park1 trip
Gombe Stream National Park1 trip
