Tarangire · Ngorongoro · Lake Manyara
3 Days Tanzania Big 5 Budget Safari
- 3 days
- Camping
- Joining group
From$650per person
View safariNorthern circuit
Lake Manyara National Park
A narrow park squeezed between the Rift Valley wall and a soda lake. Groundwater forest, baboon troops, elephants and, when the water is right, flamingos along the shore.
- Best: Jan–Mar, Jun–Dec
- 46 safaris
- Park fees in every price
From$300per person
About Lake Manyara
Why go to Lake Manyara
A narrow park squeezed between the Rift Valley wall and a soda lake. Groundwater forest, baboon troops, elephants and, when the water is right, flamingos along the shore.
Manyara is small, which is its strength on a short trip: you drive from tall groundwater forest to open lake shore in a morning. The forest is fed by springs at the foot of the escarpment, so it stays green when the rest of the region is dry.
Lions here are known for climbing trees, though sightings are never guaranteed. Baboons, blue monkeys, elephants and hippos are far more reliable, and the lake can hold flamingos and pelicans depending on its level.
We usually include Manyara on the last day of a longer safari, on the way back to Arusha.
What you’ll see
Large baboon troops in the groundwater forest
Elephants in the forest and woodland
Tree-climbing lions (occasional)
Flamingos and pelicans on the lake (water level dependent)
Views over the lake from the Rift Valley escarpment
- Best timeAll year; Nov–Jun for birds
- Time neededHalf a day to a day
- From ArushaAbout 2 hours by road
- SizeAbout 330 km², much of it lake
- Our safaris here46, from $300 pp
- RegionNorthern circuit
More about Lake Manyara
The park
Lake Manyara National Park lies in the Great Rift Valley and covers about 325 km² of lake, acacia woodland, groundwater forest and the escarpment wall. It is about 126 km from Arusha.
Wildlife
- Tree-climbing lions, often resting in acacias (sightings are never guaranteed).
- Elephant herds in the forest and woodland.
- Over 400 bird species: pelicans on the lake, bee-eaters, eagles and, when the water is right, flamingos.
- Leopards, cheetahs and hyenas are also present.
Beyond the wildlife
- Views over the lake from the escarpment rim, and drives along the forested shore.
- A Maasai village visit can be added nearby.
- Best June to October, when animals stay close to water.
Seasons
When to go
Good all year · Apr–May wettest. Best time to visit Tanzania, month by month
Where it is
Location
Distances, as the crow flies
- Arushaabout 100 km
- Tarangireabout 50 km
- Ngorongoroabout 50 km
Road distances are longer; driving times are in the facts above.
In pictures
Photo gallery
Lodges and camps
Where to stay
-
Between Tarangire and the Ngorongoro Crater
Suricata Boma Lodge
The lodge we use most: a handy base between Tarangire, Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater.
- Lodge
- Outside the park
-
On the Ngorongoro Crater rim
Simba Campsite, Ngorongoro
A campsite on the crater rim, so you are among the first down into the crater in the morning.
- Public campsite
- Inside the park
-
On the Ngorongoro Crater rim
Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
A lodge on the crater rim, looking down onto the floor you'll be driving the next morning.
- Lodge
- Inside the park
-
Less than an hour from the Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro Ang’ata Camp
A tented camp up in the Ngorongoro highlands, close to the road down into the crater.
- Tented camp
These are the places we use most in this area. See all lodges and camps
Good to know
FAQs
Will we see the tree-climbing lions?
Possibly, but not reliably. Lions in Manyara do climb trees, and guides know where they are often seen, but we would never promise it.
Is Manyara good for a day trip?
Yes. The Lake Manyara Day Trip is about two hours each way from Arusha.
Safaris that go here
Visit Lake Manyara with us
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- 3 days
- Lodges
- Joining group
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5 Days Serengeti Experience Budget Safari
- 5 days
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View safariTarangire · Ngorongoro · Lake Manyara
3-Day Safari to Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara
- 3 days
- Lodges
- Private
From$1,176per person
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- 6 days
- Camping
- Joining group
From$1,069per person
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Guest reviews
Travellers on travelling with Makini
5.0Excellent · 105+ reviews
The communication with the company was very good, and we were in good hands from the minute we arrived… we got a lot of value for the money.
Saudat N. TripAdvisor The communication with Lucas via WhatsApp was always very friendly, direct and immediate… our tour guide Aboh was very familiar with all animals and plants.
Godfrey M. TripAdvisor Great value local Tanzanian operator that provided an unforgettable safari experience.
Damas F. TripAdvisor
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