Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara is a compact park in northern Tanzania, known for tree-climbing lions, flamingos on the lake and forest that holds troops of baboons.
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Lake Manyara National Park lies at the foot of the Great Rift Valley escarpment in northern Tanzania, about two hours' drive west of Arusha. Much of the park floor is a shallow alkaline lake, with open grassland, acacia woodland and forest on the slope behind it. Visitors go for the tree-climbing lions that rest in fig and acacia branches, for elephants and buffalo, and for the flamingos and pelicans that gather on the lake when water levels suit them.
The park suits travelers who want plenty of wildlife in a short visit, and it fits between Arusha and the Ngorongoro or Serengeti areas. Game drives are the main activity. June to October is the usual choice for easier wildlife viewing, while the rains from about November to May bring green grass and many birds. Plan a full day to cover a morning and an afternoon drive.
Lake Manyara National Park in five
- Book a driver-guide through an Arusha operatorMost visitors go into the park in a vehicle with a licensed driver-guide, and Arusha operators usually arrange one. Mto wa Mbu, the village at the park gate, is another place to find a driver.Getting around
- Pack binoculars for the forest and the lakeMuch of the wildlife sits in the trees along the escarpment, and the lake is wide and open. A camera zoom alone can miss lions resting in branches and baboons high in the trees.
- Keep food and bags out of baboon reachBaboons here are bold and will take food from open windows and unattended bags. Keep windows up and zip everything inside the vehicle.
- Check the TANAPA fee schedule before you goPark fees are set by Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) and change over time. Check the current schedule on the official site, since older blog posts may show outdated prices.
- Apply for an e-visa before you flyMany nationalities need a visa for Tanzania, and the e-visa must be applied for before you travel. Check the rule for your passport before you book flights.Visas and entry
Things to do in Lake Manyara National Park
See all attractions in Lake Manyara National Park
Need to know
- Currency
- Tanzanian shilling (TZS)
- Entry
- Visa needed by many passports; apply for an e-visa before travel
- Emergency
- 112 police; ask your lodge or operator for the ambulance contact
- Tipping
- Customary for safari guides and drivers, and in restaurants
- Time
- UTC+3, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryGreen, short rains over
- FebruaryHot, green
- MarchLong rains start
- AprilLong rains, muddy tracks
- MayLong rains end
- JuneDry season starts
- JulyDry, animals at water
- AugustDry, animals at water
- SeptemberDry, warming
- OctoberDry, warming
- NovemberShort rains start
- DecemberShort rains
Right now in Lake Manyara National Park
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
20
- Feels like
- 20°
- Humidity
- 74%
- Wind
- 8 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 59%
Lake Manyara National Park
01:02 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today32°21°59%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 59%.
- Wed33°21°59%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 33°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 59%.
- Thu34°21°16%Thursday: Drizzle. High 34°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 16%.
- Fri34°20°4%Friday: Cloudy. High 34°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Sat33°20°27%Saturday: Drizzle. High 33°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 27%.
- Sun33°21°55%Sunday: Drizzle. High 33°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 55%.
Updated 12:13 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 2,635 TZS
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Lake Manyara National Park
Plan around Lake Manyara National Park
Entry, money and safari basics for the whole country
Read the guideGetting around TanzaniaDrives from Arusha and the park gates, and internal flights
Read the guideMoney and costsShillings, cards, and what to tip your driver-guide
Read the guideVisas and entryVisa and e-visa rules by passport
Read the guideWhere to stayLodges and camps for an early start at the gate
Read the guideTravel insuranceMedical cover and evacuation for remote roads
Read the guideLake Manyara National Park FAQ
How many days do I need at Lake Manyara?
A half day is enough for one game drive. A full day gives you time for the forest, the lake edge and a picnic stop, if your operator includes one.
Is Lake Manyara worth visiting?
Yes, for its mix of forest, lake and open grassland in one park, and for the chance to see tree-climbing lions. Birdwatchers come for the lake and the flamingos, whose numbers change with the water level.
When is the best time to visit Lake Manyara?
June to October is the dry season, when animals gather near water and the roads are easier. The green months from November to May bring birds, but some tracks get muddy.
Can you see tree-climbing lions at Lake Manyara?
Sometimes, but nothing is guaranteed. Ask your driver-guide where the lions were recently seen, because they move between trees and the ground.
Can I do Lake Manyara as a day trip from Arusha?
Yes, it can be done as a day trip. The drive from Arusha takes about two hours each way, so ask your operator for the exact pick-up and return times before you book.
Can I swim in Lake Manyara?
No. The lake is shallow and alkaline, and hippos and crocodiles use it, so stay on the shore and out of the water.