LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK – TANZANIA
Around 125 square miles make up Lake Manyara National Park. Lake Manyara itself is 89 square miles.
History
Lake Manyara Game Reserve was created around 1957 and became a national park in 1960. It used to be a place where people went to hunt for fun, and people did so as early as the 1920s.
Fees and permits to get in
The fee to enter Lake Manyara National Park is USD 52 for adults and USD 17.70 for children under 12 years old. You will need to show proof of your name when you enter the park. This is for more than 24 hours.
When they are open
The gates to Lake Manyara are open every day from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
How to Get There
By Road
The southern or northern gate are both ways to get into Lake Manyara National Park. Arusha is about 78 miles away, and the roads have just been paved, so the trip should take about 90 minutes.
By Air
Most people who land in either Arusha or Kilimanjaro will drive to Lake Manyara National Park. A small group will choose to take a chartered flight to Lake Manyara Airstrip instead. After that, it’s about a 30-minute drive of 10 miles to get to Lake Manyara National Park.
Best Time to Visit
Climate and weather
Lake Manyara National Park has mostly warm weather. The dry season lasts from June to early October. At this time of year, the short grass is great for seeing animals. There are lots of birds and flamingos to see during the wet months of December through May, when the grass is lush.
Staying away from crowds
Think about going on a trip during the “green season,” which lasts from November to January and ends just before the “long rains” in March or May.
Good Value for Money
Accommodations in Lake Manyara National Park range from simple to high-class, with hotels and cabins that are both comfortable and luxurious. This hotel is a good stop between Arusha and the Ngorongoro Crater, so guests can choose to stay for just one night as part of Tanzania’s Northern Circuit.
Wildlife & Landscape
Wildlife that people like to see in Lake Manyara National Park
As always, seeing animals in Lake Manyara National Park is exciting. You can see zebras, giraffes, vervet monkeys, and big groups of elephants. Lions that climb trees and groups of bright pink flamingos that make the lake pink are what the park is famous for. Watch hippos play, and if you get the chance, go for a drive at night and look for ponies and gators.
The Ground
Two-thirds of Lake Manyara National Park is the cool water of Lake Manyara. A mix of grasslands, floodplains, forests, and rocky mountain cliffs make up the land around the area.
Safari Experiences
Game Drives
In Lake Manyara National Park, game drives are done in enclosed 4×4 vehicles, but guests at some hotels can choose to stay in an open 4×4 vehicle instead. Watch out for groups of lions climbing trees and zebras playing, and enjoy the beautiful sight of pink flamingos sleeping on Lake Manyara. During a night drive, look out for hippos on land and cute animals that come out at night, like the civet and the genet.
Safaris with a guide
The Msara Trail and the Lyamba River Trail are forest trails that people can walk through to get to know Lake Manyara National Park. These paths are best enjoyed in small groups with a guide. The 370 m treetop path in Lake Manyara National Park is made up of suspension bridges that wind through the trees. From there, you can see amazing views and wildlife all over the area.
Lodges & Camps
Within Lake Manyara National Park, there is a wide range of lodges and camps to choose from, from traditional and bigger hotel chains to small, luxurious camps in remote parts of the park.
Lake Manyara National Park Lodging – Distance from park entrance
| Lodge or Hotel | Distance to park entrance (in miles) |
| Mandhari Lodge | 26 miles from Lake Manyara National Park Northern Gate |
| Manyara’s Secret | 16 miles from Lake Manyara National Park Northern Gate |
| Manyara Wildlife Lodge | 10 miles from Lake Manyara National Park Northern Gate |
| Manyara Best View Lodge | 13 miles from Lake Manyara National Park Northern Gate |
| Escarpment Luxury Lodge | 3 miles from Lake Manyara National Park Northern Gate |
| Kirurumu Manyara Lodge | 7 miles from Lake Manyara National Park Northern Gate |
| Lake Manyara Serena Lodge | 4.6 miles from Lake Manyara National Park Northern Gate |
| And Beyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge | 26 miles from Lake Manyara National Park Northern Gate |
| Lake Manyara Kilimanjaro Lodge | 4.6 miles from Lake Manyara National Park Northern Gate |
