Overview
Lake Manyara National Park covers about 330 sq km at the foot of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, around 2 hours by car from Arusha. The alkaline lake takes up roughly two-thirds of the park and gathers tens of thousands of flamingos and pelicans, turning vast stretches pink. Manyara is famously the home of 'tree-climbing lions', a behavior rarely seen elsewhere. Elephants, baboons, blue monkeys, and impala are frequent sightings, and the park's position on the route to Ngorongoro and the Serengeti makes it a common first-day stop. Admission $59/day. About 2 hours by car from Arusha.
Opening Hours
Daily 06:00-18:00
Travel Tips
The dry season (June-October) has fewer flamingos but better game viewing. The wet season (March-May) brings the pinkest lake but roads can be tough.
Hotels near Lake Manyara National Park
Hotels and guesthouses in Arusha, Lake Manyara, Manyara Region
Other attractions in Arusha
Serengeti National Park
A world-renowned wildlife reserve famous for the wildebeest migration. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ngorongoro Crater
The world's largest intact caldera, home to about 25,000 wild animals inside the crater.
Mount Kilimanjaro
Africa's highest peak (5,895m), famed for treks toward its snow-capped summit.
Arusha National Park
A small national park at the foot of Mount Meru, with giraffes, buffalo, and colobus monkeys.
Tarangire National Park
A safari park famous for giant baobab trees and massive elephant herds.
Cultural Heritage Centre
A combined museum and shopping center showcasing Tanzanian art and crafts.