🏞️ Lake Manyara National Park – A Biodiversity Haven Beneath the Rift Valley

Lake Manyara National Park derives its name from the Euphorbia tirucalli plant, locally called Emanyara by the Maasai people, who traditionally use it to fence their bomas (homesteads). Officially gazetted as a national park in 1960, it was later designated a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve in 1981. The park spans 648.7 km² (402 sq miles), with Lake Manyara itself covering 262.7 km² and the remaining 386 km² comprising dry land.

The park enjoys a bi-modal rainfall pattern: short rains from November to December and long rains from February to May. The dry season, ideal for wildlife viewing, lasts from late June to October. The annual mean temperature hovers around 26.5°C, with average lows of 11.3°C and humidity ranging between 45% and 85%.

📍 Location & Accessibility

Lake Manyara is situated in northern Tanzania, approximately 126 km west of Arusha. It lies along the well-travelled route to Ngorongoro and Serengeti, making it an essential stopover. The park is easily accessible by both road and air (via charter or scheduled flights), and is near Mto wa Mbu—a culturally rich town that is home to representatives of all 120 Tanzanian tribes.

🌿 Best Time to Visit

• June to October: Best for viewing large mammals

• November to July: Ideal for birdwatching

The park is open year-round and offers unique experiences in every season.

🦁 Activities in Lake Manyara National Park

🚗 Game Drives

• Day Game Drives: From 06:30 to 18:30 hrs, no extra fee.

• Night Game Drives: From 19:00 to 23:00 hrs, requires additional ranger-guided booking and fees. Highlights include sightings of civets, porcupines, lions, hippos, owls, and nightjars.

🚶 Walking Safaris

• Short Walks (1–4 hours) and Long Walks (4+ hours) available.

  • Msasa Trail: River gorge to rift valley wall (2–3 hrs)

  • Lake Shore Trail: Up to 6 hrs, offers scenic beauty

• Armed ranger accompaniment is mandatory and included in additional fees.

🛶 Canoeing

• Conducted between 07:00 and 17:00 on Lake Manyara, offering peaceful water-level views of hippos, flamingos, and water birds.

🐦 Birdwatching

With over 390 species recorded, including flamingos, pelicans, and storks, Lake Manyara is a birder’s paradise. Hotspots include:

• Hippo Pool viewpoint

• Majimoto Boardwalk

• Groundwater Forest

⛺ Camping & Accommodation

Inside the Park

• Public Campsites: Endabash & Camp No.1 (near main gate)

• Special Campsites: Bagayo A, Bagayo B, Lakeshore (pre-booking required)

• Other Lodgings: Lake Manyara Tree Lodge, Lemala Camp, tourist bandas, youth hostel

Outside the Park

Plentiful options in nearby Mto wa Mbu, Kigongoni, and Kibaoni villages.

🍽️ Bush Meals & Picnicking

Enjoy bush meals at scenic picnic sites—Msasa, Majimoto, and Endalla. These are ideal spots to relax during your game drive, offering panoramic views and basic amenities like benches and toilets.

📷 Filming & Photography

Lake Manyara is a prime location for filming, featuring seven wildlife habitats and rich biodiversity. A flat-rate filming fee includes entrance and camping.

🌉 Unique Structures

• Hippo Pool Viewpoint: Elevated platform offering views of wildlife and Rift Valley.

• Lake Manyara Viewpoint: Panoramic scenes of lake, forest, and escarpment.

• Majimoto Boardwalk Way: A 325m wooden trail meandering through hot springs and marshland.

• Canopy Walkway: A 17-metre-high suspended path through the treetops, offering a unique forest experience.

🐘 Key Attractions

1. The alkaline lake teeming with flamingos and waterfowl

2. Iconic tree-climbing lions

3. Evergreen groundwater forest sustained by underground springs

4. Over 390 species of resident and migratory birds

5. Scenic Rift Valley escarpment

6. Large populations of elephants and buffalo

7. Hot springs and lush marshland

8. Hippopotamus in abundance

🔒 Park Rules & Guidelines

Do:

• Stay on designated roads and paths

• Respect wildlife and fellow visitors

• Take out all your trash

• Use park facilities responsibly

• Obtain valid entry permits and use licensed tour operators

Don’t:

• Exceed 50 km/h (25 km/h for game viewing)

• Disturb animals or their habitats

• Bring pets, firearms, or remove plants

• Play loud music or cause fires