Lake Manyara National Park: Safari Guide

Updated October 2026 · 5 min read · By Lion Crest Expeditions, Arusha

Lake Manyara National Park lies at the foot of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, about two hours west of Arusha. It is small, but in a single game drive you pass through green groundwater forest, open grassland and the shore of a shallow soda lake, with baboons, elephants, giraffes and hippos along the way.

Lake Manyara at a glance

What makes Lake Manyara different

The park lies in a narrow strip between the wall of the Great Rift Valley and a shallow soda lake. Springs at the foot of the escarpment feed a green groundwater forest near the gate, so the first part of the game drive feels more like jungle than savannah. Further in, the forest opens onto grassland, acacia woodland and the lake shore.

Because the park is small and close to the main road west, it is easy to combine with other places. Many safaris stop here on the way to the Ngorongoro Crater, or spend the last morning here before driving back to Arusha.

Wildlife you can expect

• Olive baboons and blue monkeys: large baboon troops live in the forest and along the roads, and blue monkeys move through the trees.
• Elephants: often seen feeding in the forest and woodland, sometimes very close to the track.
• Giraffes, zebras, buffalo, wildebeest, impala and warthogs: on the grassland between the forest and the lake.
• Hippos: the hippo pool near the lake shore is one of the stops on most game drives.
• Lions: present but not seen every day. Lions here sometimes rest in trees, a habit the park is known for, but sightings are occasional.
• Birds: more than 350 species have been recorded. Flamingos, pelicans and storks gather on the lake when the water level suits them.

When to go

• June to October: the dry season. The grass is short and animals come to the springs and the lake, so mammals are easier to see.
• November to May: the rains. The park is green and full of birds, the forest is at its best and park fees are lower from 15 March to 15 May. Some tracks near the lake can be muddy.

For the whole country, see the best time for a Tanzania safari.

Park fees in 2026

Fees are charged per person for every 24 hours in the park. These are the rates for non-resident visitors, including 18% VAT:

Children under 5 enter free. Example: a day trip in August for two adults costs 2 × $59.00 = $118.00 in park fees. On our safaris the fees are included in the price.

Source: Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) tariff, checked October 2026. The government can change fees at any time; any increase after you book is shown in our list of exclusions.

Getting there from Arusha

The road goes west from Arusha on tarmac through Makuyuni to the small town of Mto wa Mbu, which sits just outside the park gate: about 115 km and 2 to 2½ hours. The same road continues up the escarpment to Karatu and the Ngorongoro Crater, which is why Lake Manyara fits so easily into a longer safari.

Day trip or part of a safari?

• Day trip from Arusha: two game drives with a picnic lunch, back in Arusha by early evening. See our Lake Manyara Day Trip.
• On the way to the crater: a half-day game drive on the first day, then a night in Karatu before the Ngorongoro Crater.
• At the end of a safari: a morning game drive on the last day, then the drive back to Arusha.

Where you will stay

• On the escarpment above the park: lodges with views over the lake and the Rift Valley.
• In Mto wa Mbu: simpler lodges, guesthouses and campsites just outside the gate.
• In Karatu: further up the road on the escarpment, a good base if the Ngorongoro Crater is next.

Practical tips

• Keep windows closed and food out of sight near the baboons. They are used to vehicles and quick to grab food.
• Look up as well as ahead: elephants, monkeys and the occasional lion are easy to miss among the trees.
• Bring binoculars for the birds along the lake shore.
• The park also has a treetop walkway in the forest and, when the water is high enough, canoe trips on the lake. Both cost extra; ask us if they are running when you travel.

Questions travellers ask