Lake Manyara National Park

The Maasai translation of Manyara is Emanyara, referring to the living protective enclosure made from the spiky Euphoriba Tirucalli traditionally planted around a homestead. It is believed that the high rift escarpment that frames Lake Manyara National Park reminded people of a natural, protective border. It is where nearly 2 million flamingoes flock for food and shelter and where the unique tree-climbing lions hang out. Located in northern Tanzania, southwest of the famous Serengeti National Park, the park is 125 square miles (325 km²), with over 60% of it made up of the lake. Yet despite its modest size, it has five distinct vegetation zones, 670 flowering plant species, and is home to a range of wildlife, including hippos, elephants, and the rare Manyara monkey.

At a Glance

Must See Tourist Attractions

• Tree climbing lions

• 1.9 million flamingos 

• 390 bird species to observe

• Migration of wildebeests

• Treetop Walkway

• Marang Forest

• Ground water forest

• Hot springs

• Photograph some of the 2.5 million water birds

• Ground water forest

• 670 Flowering plant species

• Great Rift Valley

Size

± 125 square miles (± 325 km²)

Landscape

Grasslands, woodlands, alkaline soda lake, swamps, and marshes.

Main Species

Elephant, giraffe, hippo, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, flamingos, bushbuck, badger, warthog, cheetah, hyena, hornbills, Verreaux's eagles, baboon, bat-eared fox, civet, jackal, leopard, and gazelle.

The Wonder of the Lake, Forests & Surrounds

Lake Manyara National Park is a birdwatcher's delight and the home of the rare tree-climbing lions. Despite the park's modest size, only 125 square miles (325 km²), it has a diverse ecosystem that supports many species of plants and wildlife. 

The national park is easily reached from Arusha (Link Opportunity: Travel Guide to Arusha Tanzania) and is conveniently located near other national parks and conservation areas, including:

• Serengeti National Park to the northwest covers 10,424 square miles (27,000 km²)

• Ngorongoro Conservation Area (Link Opportunity: Ngorongoro Conservation Area) to the northwest covers 3,200 square miles (8,300 km²) 

• Maswa Game Reserve to the northwest covers 850 square miles (2,200 km²)

• Tarangire National Park to the southeast covers 1,100 square miles (2,850 km²)

• Mkomazi National Park to the southeast covers 1,240 square miles (3,245 km²)

Its prime location makes it a popular stop on a Serengeti National Park Tanzania Safaris tour. In addition to the typical game drives, the lake is perfect for canoe safaris.

Animals are attracted to the shallow waters, and it's a fantastic vantage for birdwatching. It's also a chance to find the hippos enjoying their favorite pool, fed by the local hot springs.

The lake also offers scenic views of the various habitats, including the acacia woodlands where the elephants roam and the tree-climbing lions like to hang out. The light from the lake also adds drama and color to the area's already spectacular sunsets. 

For the brave and bold, there is the treetop walkway. The 1,214-foot (370 m) airwalk gradually takes visitors from ground level to nearly 60 feet (18 m) into the treetops through a series of suspension bridges. 

There are viewing decks along the way, providing visitors a chance to enjoy the variety of birds, monkeys, and butterflies.

The Diverse Geography

Lake Manyara National Park is a long, narrow strip in the Great Rift Valley (Link Opportunity Africa Safaris: Rift Valley). Of the park's 125 square miles (325 km²), 89 are of Lake Manyara. 

The Gregory Rift Wall and the lake sandwich the remaining land of the park. The entire lake and the park are also part of the UNESCO Lake Manyara Biosphere Reserve.

The park has 690 flowering species and is divided into 5 main vegetation zones:

• Groundwater Forest: Fig and Mahogany trees dominated the evergreen forest near the park's main entrance.

• Acacia Woodland: Located at the base of the rift wall. 

• Open Grasslands and Scrub: Extends towards the lake. 

• Swamps (Marshland and Reed Beds): Made from hot springs, underground springs, tributaries, and minor rivers. 

• Alkaline Flats: Bigger in the dry season than wet.

Lake Manyara is the park's showpiece feature. Wildlife flock to it, making use of the entire watery depression. Their ability to use the whole lake is due to its shallowness. 

During the wet season, it is 12 feet (3.7 m), and it can reach up to 25 miles (40 km) long and 9.3 miles (15 km) wide. But its average depth is less than 3 feet (0.9 m), making it accessible to many wildlife. 

The Manyara is fed by underground springs, streams, and three main rivers:

• Dudumera

• Makuyuni

• Mto wa Mbu

Manyara has no outlet, so the routine evaporation has created an alkaline "soda" lake. The conditions make it the perfect breeding ground for the algae that the flamingoes eat. The number of these birds in the lake fluctuates throughout the seasons and the years, but they've reached as many as 2 million.

The streams and underground springs also benefit other park areas, including the groundwater forest full of mahogany and fig trees. The forest is where the pink-backed pelicans breed. 

The famous tree-climbing lions prefer the Acacia woodland savannah, with its yellow fever trees and wild date palms. It is also where visitors are more likely to spot the large herds of elephants. 

The Abundant Wildlife

Lake Manyara National Park is known for its abundance of flamingos. The park estimates there are 1.9 million of them in addition to 2.5 million other water birds. 

The wealth of these feathered friends is due to the plentiful algae that grow in the shallow alkaline lake and the abundance of marshes and grasslands.

The park boasts of 390 bird species, 40 of which are predatory. It is truly a birdwatcher's paradise. 

But you don't have to be a bird lover to enjoy Lake Manyara. The other big safari star is the park's tree-climbing lions. Technically, all lions can climb trees. However, there are only a few areas in Africa where the lions do it routinely, such as Lake Manyara. 

"This is a learned habit," believes George B. Schaller, author of The Serengeti Lion, who studied the behavior, including at Lake Manyara. However, a PBS program highlighted other theories, including trying to avoid the heat of the ground or annoyances, including flies or cubs. 

The park has many other residents. There are large herds of elephants, buffalo, wildebeest, zebra, and Thomson's and Grant's gazelles. Primates include olive baboons, blue monkeys, and the park's unique Manyara monkey. 

Small predators like mongoose, honey badgers, bat-eared foxes, and civets lurk in the grasslands. Eagle-eyed visitors will spot the larger but elusive leopards and cheetahs.

In the water, otters are hanging out in the rivers. However, the park's hippos often feel they deserve some pampering and are found in a pool fed by the hot springs.

Culture and History

Lake Manyara National Park was established as a Game Reserve in 1957 and elevated to national park status in 1960, along with Arusha National Park. 

The aim was to protect the elephants and tree-climbing lions drawn to the historical hunting grounds. The Tarangire-Manyara ecosystem is known to have a higher-than-normal density of elephants. 

However, the park didn't reach its full size until 2012, when the Marang Forest Reserve was incorporated, home of the treetop canopy walkway. The region is one of the key wildlife corridors essential for elephant migration between parks and conservation areas.

In 1981, UNESCO declared Lake Manyara National Park and the rest of the lake a Biosphere Reserve and made it part of the Man and Biosphere Program. The aim of the program is to provide a "scientific basis for enhancing the relationship between people and their environments." 

Historically, the area was populated by the Maasai, the Iraqw, and the Barbaig people, who practiced pastoralism and agriculture. However, as circumstances have changed and new people have come to the area, livelihoods have become dependent on tourism, illegal poaching for meat and fish, and harvesting timber for firewood and charcoal. 

The project hopes to expand job opportunities, help attract enterprises, and create ecological activities around the reserve.

Near the park is the Maasai town Mto wa Mbu. Walking tours are available to learn more about the culture and daily lives of the 18,000 residents representing 120 tribes. 

There are also traditional dances and shops that sell local artwork and crafts. Visitors can also hike Balaa Hill on the Rift Valley Wall for excellent views. 

Tribes

The Massai are the most well-known ethnic group living in Lake Manyara. The other two are Iraqw and Barabaig. Historically, the three do not get along. For instance, the Barabaig, a nomadic people, were often driven out of areas by the stronger Maasai. 

The Maasai pastoralists moved into the Lake Manyara region before the start of the 18th century. The Germans and the British followed at the end of the 19th century, and with them, they spread disease, including exasperating the dreaded cattle plague, rinderpest. The Maasai suffered and were vulnerable to attacks, including their long-time enemy, the Barabaig. 

However, the most significant threat came from the Iraqw, who had come to the western rim of the Rift Valley in the 19th century and began to develop intensive agricultural practices. They pushed out the Maasai until World War I when the Maasai managed to take hold of many Iraqw cattle. 

But all the groups suffered as tsetse infestations took hold. By the time the tsetse eradication plan was rolled out in the 40s and 50s, immigrants to the area were ready to take the most fertile land. 

Land grabs continued, including the 1968 "Wheat Scheme," where private interests and the Canadian International Development Agency forced out the Barabaig people for private farming interests. 

Since then, there have been many court cases and advocacy for the Barabaig and other indigenous groups to regain their land.

Best Time To Visit

Lake Manyara is open all year. Some visitors feel the best time to visit is at the same time the Serengeti is having the Great Migration. Others want to avoid the crowds and feel like they have the parks to themselves. 

Lake Manyara has a pretty temperate climate all year. The hottest months (January-February) can reach 86°F (30°C), and the high during the coldest months is 77°F (25°C). However, due to the altitude, nights and mornings can be chilly, especially in June and July. 

The park's most significant climate differences are between the wet and dry seasons. Initially, most visitors want to avoid the two wet seasons. But the November-December rains are light and can be ideal for birdwatchers.

So, when's the best time to visit Lake Manyara? We've compiled a chart highlighting the various pros and cons of visiting throughout the year. In addition, Tanzania Safaris can help you tailor your adventures to suit your travel preferences.

Getting There

Lake Manyara National Park is straightforward to reach from Arusha by road. 

Arusha to Lake Manyara's main gate via Mankuyuni-Ngorongoro road. The 71 miles (115) km takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. 

Visitors can also charter a flight from the Arusha Airport (ARK) to the Manyara Airstrip. The two domestic companies serving Manyara are Coastal Aviation and Flight Link. 

The airlines also offer flights from Manyara to various destinations, including the Serengeti airstrips, Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam, and Kilimanjaro. 

Visitors who fly arrange to be picked up and dropped off with their tour operator. Contact Tanzania Safaris for more information on how we can help you with your travel plans. 

You can access the park by road through two gates:

• Northern Gate (most popular)

• Southern Gate (restricted access)

GPS Coordinates: -3⁰34’59.99’’S 35⁰49’59.99”E

Attractions Near Lake Manyara National Park

• Serengeti National Park

• Ngorongoro Conservation Area

• Tarangire National Park

• Arusha National Park

• Mkomazi National Park

• Mount Kilimanjaro