Tanzania · National Park
Lake Manyara National Park
Tree-climbing lions and pink flamingo flocks beneath the Rift
Overview
About the park
A compact but spectacular park beneath the Great Rift Valley escarpment — alkaline lake, groundwater forest and floodplain in 330 km². Famous for its tree-climbing lions and vast pink flamingo flocks.
Size
330 km² (two-thirds is the lake itself)
Best Time
June–October for game viewing; November–June for birding and flamingos.
What to see
Wildlife you'll encounter
- Tree-climbing lions
- African elephant
- Cape buffalo
- Hippo
- Baboon (largest troops in Africa)
- Flamingo
- Pelican
- 400+ bird species
Highlights
Signature experiences
Tree-climbing lions
Manyara's most famous oddity — lions lounging in the acacia and sausage trees.
Hippo Pool & Lake Edge
Hippos, water birds and elephants drinking on the shoreline.
Treetop canopy walkway
A 370-metre suspension walkway through the groundwater forest.
Maji Moto hot springs
Bubbling 60°C springs at the southern tip of the lake.
Activities
Things to do
- Game drives
- Canopy walkway
- Birdwatching
- Mountain biking (outside park)
- Night drives in select concessions
Getting there
How to reach it
1.5-hour drive from Arusha — usually combined with Tarangire and en route to Ngorongoro / Serengeti.
