Lake Manyara National Park

Tanzania's premier birdwatcher's paradise with over 400 species of birds, famous tree-climbing lions, and diverse ecosystems. Named after the flowing waters of the eponymous soda lake, this park is a haven of rich habitats, spectacular wildlife, and enormous primate populations.

Do you have a misconception that because of the size of Lake Manyara National Park, it doesn't offer great Tanzania Safari experiences? Then this page is here to clear things up for you! Named after the flowing waters of the eponymous soda lake, the park is a haven of rich habitats, birdlife, and a range of wildlife, including enormous primate and mammal populations.

Lake Manyara National Park is located between the Great Rift Valley and Lake Manyara and is a protected area in Tanzania's Arusha and Manyara regions. The park is named after a shallow alkaline or soda lake which is fed by a series of rivers coming over the cliffs. The lake has no outlets.

The varied terrain and vegetation are part of the appeal of Safari in Tanzania. For starters, there's a groundwater forest covered with evergreen mahoganies and figs. Then, there are the open savannahs and acacia woodlands. Around the lake itself, there are salt flats and marshlands.

Even though the park is relatively small compared to other Tanzania National Parks, with an area of 130 sq. miles, it has some of the most diverse habitats. The park boasts more than 10 distinctive ecosystems and one of Africa's largest diversities of flora.

Lake Manyara National Park's location and geography provide a rich and varied habitat for a wide range of wildlife, including an impressive diversity of bird species.

Lake Manyara National Park is accessible from either the northern or southern gate. Though, the northern gate is the one that's most commonly used because most of the safari accommodations are located close by.

Arusha is the gateway town for most Lake Manyara National Park Safaris. The most convenient way to get to Lake Manyara National Park when flying from outside to Tanzania is by scheduling your flight to the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). The airport is just 46 km. away from Arusha.

Lake Manyara National Park is located 126 km away from Arusha and is well connected by road. It can be easily reached by any private conveyance. By car, it takes one to two hours on the newly constructed tarred road from Arusha Town to the Manyara entrance gate.

The park forms an important stop as part of your Northern Circuit safari. It can also be accessed through public transport like a bus to Mto wa Mbu village and then rent a car to get you into the park.

The incredible game-viewing circuit through the compact ecosystem of Tanzania Safari offers an example of an ideal Tanzania Safari Experience. Right from the entrance gate, there will never be a moment that won't amaze you. Lake Manyara National Park experiences a mild and temperate climate.

The amount of rainfall that Lake Manyara National Park receives varies depending on the time of year. The park experiences two distinct rainy seasons: the long rains, which occur from March to May, and the short rains, which occur from October to December.

During the long rainy season: The park receives the majority of its rainfall. This period coincides with the park's low season, which means that fewer tourists are visiting the park. The heavy rainfall during this time can make some parts of the park inaccessible. But it also creates lush vegetation and an abundance of water sources, which attract large numbers of animals.

During the short rainy season: The park receives less rainfall. This period is still considered a good time to visit the park, as the vegetation is still green and the wildlife is still abundant. However, the park can become quite dusty during this period, which can impact visibility.

Lake Manyara National Park receives two main seasons in a year - the dry season and the wet season. Each season has its share of benefits and unique offerings.