Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park forms one edge of the Great Rift Valley. The lake itself is a true birder’s paradise with its huge resident populations of flamingoes, storks, cormorants, pelicans, and over 350 other bird species. In the northern end of the park, a dense groundwater forest boasts giant fig and mahogany trees, monkeys, baboons, bushbuck, waterbuck, and elephant. South of the groundwater forest is an open grassland, host to buffalo, wildebeest, impala, giraffe, zebra, and lions that can occasionally be seen resting on the limb of an acacia.

Manyara is very accessible with its own airstrip (Lake Manyara) yet is also an easy drive from Arusha and Tarangire National Park.  We find that 2-3 nights in the region are usually enough, as you can also include your visit to the Ngorongoro Crater from the same property in the area. Along with game drives in the national park, you can enjoy some more active excursions like the crossing suspensions bridges of the Treetop Walkway, canoeing on the lake and cycling through the nearby village of Mto wa Mbu.

Our favorite accommodations in and near Lake Manyara

Other areas to explore