Overview

Things to do

Getting there

When to go

Accommodation

Tour Packages

Travel Info

FAQ

Manyara National Park

Stretching for 50km along the base of the rusty-gold 600-meter-high Rift Valley escarpment. Lake Manyara is a scenic gem, with a setting extolled by Ernest Hemingway as ‘the loveliest I had seen in Africa”

The astonishing oasis in the Great Rift Valley is only here that the high water table fed by countless springs from the escarpment has given rise to dense tropical vegetation, a forest brought about by the superfluity of groundwater.

Also, witness the tree-climbing lions in the African savannah dotted with acacias.

The perfection of your African holiday is guaranteed by abundant wildlife, including elephants, buffalo, lions, and giraffes, and superb birdlife that accompanies your journey!

Located in northern Tanzania, it is 1.5 hours (126km) west of Arusha and very close to the ethnically diverse market town of Mto wa Mbu.

The park covers 648.7 km2 (402 sq miles), of which 262.7 km2 (163 sq miles) is water and 386 km2 (240 sq miles) is dry land.

The park was named after the plant Euphorbia tirucalli, known as Emanyara in the Maasai language. The Masai people use this plant to protect their bomas (hedge

Things to do in Manyara

There are many exciting activities in Manyara National Park, including Walking Safaris, night game drives, canoeing, birdwatching, and hot bush meals. Also, remember, Manyara is famous for tree-climbing lions in Tanzania.

Birds watching

Most of Tanzania’s parks offer the best bird-watching experience. Lake Manyara is one of the best parks for bird watching.

Many bird species can be seen around the lake shores; more than 400 species have been recorded in this park.

Some of these birds include thousands of pink-hued flamingos on their perpetual migration, as well as other large water birds such as pelicans, Cormorants, and Storks. Other birds are the Silvery Cheeked Hornbill, the Crowned Hornbill, the Narina Trogon, the Emerald Cuckoo,

Long-tailed Fiscal, Schawlow’s Turaco, Crested Guinea Fowl, and Crowned Eagles. Our guides are well-trained in birdlife and familiar with many species both inside and outside the parks, ensuring your holiday with us is unforgettable.

Boating and canoeing

The Canoeing and Boating excursions in Lake Manyara are the best option for exploring the soda-colored shores of Lake Manyara with thousands of pink flamingos. Lake Manyara is a shallow, alkaline lake formed by the depression of the Rift Valley.

A large area of Manyara National Park is covered by water, fed by underground springs and streams that flow from the surrounding Ngorongoro Highlands. This makes the park a good place for canoeing, especially when the water level is high.

The park offers many attractions, including the Hippo pull and hot spring water. Despite the presence of crocodiles and hippos, the expeditions are incredibly safe and carefully organized by professional guides who are well-versed in the activity.

During a 2-hour water excursion, visitors can see a variety of aquatic species. They will also enjoy the scenic views of Manyara National Park, which features diverse habitats of acacia woodlands, evergreen forests, and savannah plains.

Night Game Drive

The Night Game Drive in Lake Manyara National Park is an unforgettable experience during your holiday. During the night game drive, you will be able to see most nocturnal animals as they carry out their nocturnal activities, including hunting. You may think this is impossible, but yes, it is absolutely possible in the African bush.

The night game drive takes place in the dense forest, where you may easily spot animals such as Hippos, Leopards, Elephants, blue monkeys, aardvarks, porcupines, civets, and sometimes tree-climbing Lions.

Never miss this opportunity to witness animals in the bush during the relaxed night.

How to get there?

You can reach Lake Manyara National Park by road from Arusha, or by charter or scheduled flight from Arusha en route to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.

Getting to Lake Manyara National Park by road

The most popular way to travel to Lake Manyara National Park by road is by booking a drive-in safari.

The park is located southwest of Arusha town. The distance from Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park is 130 km, approximately a 2-hour drive to the park entrance gate.

International air travel

The recommended point of entry is Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), which lies between the towns of Moshi and Arusha.

The airport is located about 200 miles / 320 kilometers from the park’s southern entrance.

There are a few international flight options, including KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (daily), Turkish Airlines, Kenya Airways, and Ethiopian Airlines (a few times per week).

Kilimanjaro International Airport also has daily flights to Nairobi (NBO), Kenya, providing additional international flight options.

Additional airlines, including British Airways and Emirates, fly into Tanzania’s capital, Dar es Salaam (DAR).

Please note that arriving in Dar es Salaam may require an additional overnight stay and a domestic flight on a small regional airline, with luggage restrictions.

More information on flights is available on our Kilimanjaro Airport page.

Regional air travel

A domestic flight from Arusha Airport (ARK) to Lake Manyara Airport takes only 41 minutes. Some flight companies operating this route include Air Excel, Coastal Aviation, and Auric Air

Best time to visit to Lake Manyara National Park

The park is open year-round. However, June to October is the best time for large mammals, and November to July is an ideal time for bird watching

Where to Stay in Lake Manyara National Park

Accommodation inside and outside the park is of a classic standard. If you wish to stay overnight inside, there are camping facilities at special campsite locations (Bagayo A and B and Lakeshore), all located in the middle of the park. Pre-booking is mandatory.

The Public Campsite includes Endabash, which is 37km from the park’s main gate. Camp number one is located just 100M from the park’s main gate.

There is also Endala Camp, a seasonal campsite 9km from the park’s main gate.

Despite that, there is a lot of accommodation outside the park, ranging from one (1) star to four (4) star accommodations.

Lake Manyara Safari Tours

  • tanzania camping

    From

    7 Days Tanzania Camping Safari

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    From 3000

    3 Days Serengeti Sky Safari

    serengeti and masai mara

  • holidays

    From

    3 Days Nairobi to Serengeti Safari

Meet Elibariki,

Your Tanzania Safari Specialist.

(Call or WhatsApp)
+255 742 696 430

Meet Elibariki,

Your Tanzania Safari Specialist.

(Call or WhatsApp)
+255 742 696 430

Tanzania Travel Tips

Our team carefully researched and focused on trips that attract people with the same interests and naturally get on well with each other through their shared interests.

Once you confirm your booking on a tour you will be sent further practical information – packing tips, detailed itineraries, including advice on health, passport and visa requirements, and minimum and maximum numbers of guests on tours.

Memorable meals are a hallmark of an excellent holiday. With the support of the best cooks, the quality of food and drink service is guaranteed.

Depending on the service level or tour type you have chosen, a pre-discussion with your tour planner is a win-win for an enjoyable trip.

Our cook accompanies other tours, and other services are included with our accommodation partners, including hotels, private camps, and luxury lodges.

The answer is absolute yes! The areas where safaris are organized are safe and free of political chaos.

We conduct safaris in politically stable regions to ensure our clients’ safety and enjoyment.

Our Professional Safari Guides are well-trained about wild animal behaviors, and they have enough experience to lead our clients in the wilderness.

Our vehicles are 4×4 Toyota Land Cruisers and Land Rovers with a hatched roof to give maximum visibility of the game.

African safaris offer unlimited sightseeing; millions of animals, birds, and plant life are the defining features of the African savanna. You roam across the countryside in search of Elephants, Lions, Rhinos, Cape buffalo, and Leopards (the so-called “Big Five”).

On any given day, you will encounter Blue Wildebeests, Zebras, a large variety of antelope species, Gazelles, Giraffes, Baboons, and Hippos. The birdlife is fantastic – in some areas, up to 400 bird species have been identified!

Think of the majestic Baobab tree (some tribes believe that the tree was indeed planted upside-down!), and there are hundreds of varieties of thorn trees! You will also see the acacia-dotted landscape, endless plains, majestic mountains, and the most beautiful sunsets and sunrises imaginable! Think of a late afternoon thunderstorm, short but violent, and then the beautiful rainbow.

Tanzania’s destinations are accessible year-round, but we recommend scheduling your safari during the dry season for the best sightings, as grasses and bush are at their least dense—July to October and December through February. The green session includes March through June. Discuss with us for the best option if you have also a plan to coincide with the Wildebeest Migration in Serengeti National Park.

(We suggest you remember) insect repellent (the best way to prevent malaria and other insect-borne diseases), sunscreen, cap or hat, sunglasses, binoculars, detergent powder if you want to wash some clothes yourself, hand-wipes small flashlight, aspirin, diarrhea medicine, rain jacket, poncho, or collapsible umbrella, plastic bags (for wet clothes, swimsuit and for keeping dust away from camera equipment), Kleenex/toilet tissue a neck chain for eyeglasses if you take them off to use binoculars and cameras, any medical prescription you need, masking tape or labels for marking exposed films cans, film, extra camera batteries.

Although more than 200 languages and dialects are spoken across Africa, this is not a problem, as English is widely spoken in East and Southern Africa. In addition to English, all our professional guides are multilingual, so we have you covered.

African safaris offer unlimited sightseeing; millions of animals, birds, and plant life are the defining features of the African savanna. You roam across the countryside in search of Elephants, Lions, Rhinos, Cape buffalo, and Leopards (the so-called “Big Five”).

On any given day, you will encounter Blue Wildebeests, Zebras, a large variety of antelope species, Gazelles, Giraffes, Baboons, and Hippos. The birdlife is fantastic – in some areas, up to 400 bird species have been identified!

Think of the majestic Baobab tree (some tribes believe that the tree was indeed planted upside-down!), and there are hundreds of varieties of thorn trees! You will also see the acacia-dotted landscape, endless plains, majestic mountains, and the most beautiful sunsets and sunrises imaginable! Think of a late afternoon thunderstorm, short but violent, and then the beautiful rainbow.

Frequently Asked Questions

We are committed to ensuring you experience the luxury of genuinely memorable travel. On every trip, we aim to create a ‘charmed space’ within which you can relax, absorb fresh insights, be stimulated and charmed by new encounters – and have fun!

Whether traveling alone or with friends, Blessing Safaris guests often mention how particularly agreeable they find their traveling companions. Our groups are deliberately small, comprising 2 to 7 guests, especially for safari.

Our team carefully researched and focused on trips that attract people with the same interests and naturally get on well with each other through their shared interests.

Once you confirm your booking on a tour, you will be sent further practical information – packing tips, detailed itineraries, including advice on health, passport, and visa requirements, and minimum and maximum numbers of guests on tours.

Memorable meals are a hallmark of an excellent holiday. With the support of the best cooks, the quality of food and drink service is guaranteed. Depending on the service level or tour type you have chosen, a pre-discussion with your tour planner is a win-win for an enjoyable trip. Other tours are accompanied by our cook, and others are inclusive service from our accommodation partners, including hotels, private camps, and luxury lodges

Please help us help you by organizing even better tours and saving money. If you contact us in advance, you will save significantly on price, as you have the best time to negotiate and customize the tour with a safari planner.

Why not? We offer private tours for individuals, families, and groups. Whether you’re celebrating a special anniversary or planning a family reunion, we can discuss your needs. We can create a bespoke itinerary away from traffic, tailored to your requirements, and travel in style.

The answer is absolutely yes! The areas where safaris are organized are safe and free of political chaos. We conduct safaris in politically stable regions to ensure our clients’ safety and enjoyment.

Our Professional Safari Guides are well trained about wild animal behaviors and they have enough experience to lead our clients in the wilderness. Our vehicles are 4×4 Toyota Land Cruisers and Land Rovers with a hatched roof to give maximum visibility of the game.

African safaris offer unlimited sightseeing; millions of animals, birds, and plant life are the defining features of the African savanna. You roam across the countryside in search of Elephants, Lions, Rhinos, Cape buffalo, and Leopards (the so-called “Big Five”).

On any given day, you will encounter Blue Wildebeests, Zebras, a large variety of antelope species, Gazelles, Giraffes, Baboons, and Hippos. The birdlife is fantastic – in some areas, up to 400 bird species have been identified!

Think of the majestic Baobab tree (some tribes believe that the tree was indeed planted upside-down!), and there are hundreds of varieties of thorn trees! You will also see the acacia-dotted landscape, endless plains, majestic mountains, and the most beautiful sunsets and sunrises imaginable! Think of a late afternoon thunderstorm, short but violent, and then the beautiful rainbow.

This aspect is much overstated. You will rarely see a snake, but if you do, it will most likely be from the safety of your safari vehicle. Tents and lodges all have bug screens fitted to windows and doors. In most areas where bugs or mosquitoes are prevalent, rooms and tents are also equipped with mosquito nets, adding to the idealistic ambiance. Bear in mind that malaria is a threat in most wildlife areas, and it is necessary to consult your doctor for advice before embarking on your safari.

Tanzania destinations are accessible year-round, but we recommend scheduling your safari during the dry season (July to October and December through February) for the best sightings, as grasses and bush are at their least dense. The green session includes March through June. Discuss with us the best option if you also plan to coincide with the Wildebeest Migration in Serengeti National Park.

Note: the migration is a natural process, and timing varies month by month andyear by year. Fortunately, it won’t happen in one day; it takes time to complete. We update most of our clients once the migration begins, so if your primary goal is to witness the migration, please contact us in advance so we can do our best to accommodate you. Please note that most travelers do not see the wildebeest crossing in the Mara, as the timing and duration vary widely each year. The best probable months are July, August, and September

Around the turn of the century (until the ’30s and ’40s), mobile tenting was the only option, and “camp as you go” was the standard practice. Over the years, the luxury associated with traditional mobile tenting safaris has increased.

By the same token, one can understand that the cost of having a “luxury hotel” following one around in Africa is expensive. However, most people settle for permanent tented camps.

Because they are “permanent,” they can be equipped with flush toilets and traditional bathroom fixtures and conveniences. Don’t be misled by the terminology – a permanent tented camp offers the comfort of a 5-star hotel, with the romance and adventure of being surrounded by the sights and sounds of Africa.

(We suggest you remember) insect repellent (the best way to prevent malaria and other insect-borne diseases), sunscreen, cap or hat, sunglasses, binoculars, detergent powder if you want to wash some clothes yourself, hand-wipes small flashlight, aspirin, diarrhea medicine, rain jacket, poncho or collapsible umbrella, plastic bags (for wet clothes, swimsuit and for keeping dust away from camera equipment), Kleenex/toilet tissue a neck chain for eyeglasses if you take them off to use binoculars and cameras, any medical prescription you need, masking tape or labels for marking exposed films cans, film, extra camera batteries.

Although more than 200 languages and dialects are spoken across Africa, this is not a problem, as English is widely spoken in East and Southern Africa. Apart from English, all our professional guides are multilingual, so we get you covered

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