Lions in the trees

Lake Manyara National Park safaris

Ground water forest, soda lake and flamingos, plus the tree-climbing lions that made the park famous. A half-day stop that pairs well with Ngorongoro.

Good to know

Best: Year-round · 1.5 hrs from Arusha

Visiting Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara is a compact park at the foot of the Rift Valley escarpment, with groundwater forest, open floodplains and a shallow soda lake that often holds flamingos. It is known for lions that are sometimes seen resting in trees, and for baboon troops, elephant and rich birdlife.

How to fit it in

The park is about an hour and a half by road from Arusha and lies on the way to Ngorongoro, so most travellers visit for half a day or a full day before moving up to the crater rim. Treetop walkways and canoeing on the lake are possible in some seasons, subject to water levels.

When to go

Manyara is worthwhile all year. The dry season is better for general game viewing, while the wetter months are best for birds and for the forest at its greenest.

Ask us to add Lake Manyara to a northern Tanzania safari with Tarangire, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti.

Tours to Lake Manyara National Park

Safaris that visit Lake Manyara National Park

All safaris

Safari & beach

13-Day Kenya, Tanzania & Zanzibar Safari

13 Days / 12 Nights

$9,214 / personPrivate · from, per person, US$, estimate, subject to availabilityView itinerary

Luxury

11-Day High-End Kenya & Tanzania Safari

11 Days / 10 Nights

$7,781 / personPrivate · from, per person, US$, estimate, subject to availabilityView itinerary

Luxury

14-Day Relaxed Luxury Kenya & Tanzania Safari

14 Days / 13 Nights

$11,574 / personPrivate · from, per person, US$, estimate, subject to availabilityView itinerary

Luxury

10-Day Luxury Kenya & Tanzania Safari

10 Days / 9 Nights

$4,840 / personPrivate · from, per person, US$, estimate, subject to availabilityView itinerary

Luxury

7-Day Luxury Serengeti Migration Safari

7 Days / 6 Nights

$4,853 / personPrivate · from, per person, US$, estimate, subject to availabilityView itinerary

Luxury

12-Day Luxury Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Beach Stay

12 Days / 11 Nights

$4,147 / personPrivate, some activities shared · from, per person, US$, estimate, subject to availabilityView itinerary

Lake Manyara National Park is ready when you are.

Tell us your dates and what’s on the list, and we’ll route it for you.

Plan a Lake Manyara National Park Safari

Entry requirements: Kenya eTA and Tanzania inbound insurance

Kenya. Most visitors, including children, need an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before they fly. Citizens of most African countries and some other travellers are exempt; the official site has the list. Apply only on the official site as soon as your flights are confirmed. Standard processing is normally about three working days but can take longer and approval is not guaranteed, so allow at least a week; an expedited option is available at extra cost.

Tanzania and Zanzibar. Since 1 October 2026 foreign visitors must hold the government inbound travel insurance (USD 44 per adult, valid up to 92 days), bought from NIC if you first arrive on the mainland or from ZIC if you first arrive in Zanzibar. One policy covers the whole country, and your own travel insurance does not replace it. Residents of EAC and SADC countries are exempt on the mainland. A visa or e-visa is still required for most nationalities.

Who needs a Kenya eTA Apply for a Kenya eTA Tanzania mainland insurance (NIC) Zanzibar insurance (ZIC)

Guidance checked against the official sites on 29 October 2026. Entry rules change; confirm on the official sites before you travel.

All prices shown are estimates. Your final price is confirmed in your written quote.