The Enchanting Wonders of Lake Manyara National Park
Discover Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania, a hidden gem renowned for its stunning scenery, rich biodiversity, and rare wildlife sightings. Just under two hours from Arusha, this compact yet extraordinary park is famous for its unique tree-climbing lions and legendary tuskers—massive elephants with enormous ivory. The landscape shifts from lush forests and open savannas to vast alkaline lakes that shimmer with pink as flamingos gather in their thousands.
Less than 2 hours from Arusha explore Lake Manyara National Park. See the Tanzanian tree-climbing lions and legendary elephants. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, Lake Manyara Tanzania offers a rare combination of ecosystems that make it one of the most diverse safari destinations in Tanzania. Though often overshadowed by the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, this underrated park delivers an intimate, unforgettable safari experience.
While many travelers flock to the Serengeti for its romance and fame, few realize the quiet magic that awaits in Lake Manyara. Picture serene blue waters blushing pink at dusk, elephants silently roaming forest floors, and the awe of spotting a lion perched in a tree—a rare spectacle in the wild. Part of the northern safari circuit, Lake Manyara is ideally located for those combining multiple parks into one itinerary.
⭐ Key Takeaways: Lake Manyara National Park Safari
- Tree-Climbing Lions: One of the few places in the world where lions regularly climb trees—an unforgettable sight!
- Giant Tuskers: Home to some of Africa’s last remaining elephants with enormous ivory tusks.
- Diverse Ecosystems: From alkaline lakes and dense forests to grassy plains and escarpment cliffs—an unmatched variety in a compact area.
- Birdwatcher’s Paradise: Over 400 bird species, including flocks of flamingos and pelicans that blanket the lake.
- Accessible Location: Just under 2 hours from Arusha—ideal for day trips or as part of the Northern Safari Circuit.
- Best Time to Visit: Dry season (June to October) for wildlife; wet season (Nov–April) for birds and lush scenery.
- Intimate Safari Experience: Quieter and more personal than the Serengeti or Ngorongoro, perfect for a peaceful wildlife adventure.
- Activities Galore: Game drives, canoeing (seasonal), waterfall hikes, birdwatching, and cultural visits.
At the heart of the park lies the ever-changing alkaline soda lake, spanning 220 of the park’s 330 square kilometers. Seasonal fluctuations leave behind salt-streaked shores, attracting a dazzling array of waterbirds. As the sun sets over the golden grasslands, watch as flamingos and pelicans take flight—a breathtaking close to any day on safari.
This biodiversity hotspot is home to everything from baobab-dotted cliffs and flooded wetlands to grassy plains teeming with life. Expect to see large herds of wildebeest, zebra, impala, warthog, and waterbuck—especially during the dry season, when animals gather near shrinking water sources. For the best wildlife encounters, time your visit when the rains subside and the bush clears for dramatic game viewing.
Tree-Climbing Lions of Lake Manyara: A Tanzania Safari Highlight
Lake Manyara National Park, located in northern Tanzania, is world-renowned for its unique tree-climbing lions, often spotted lounging on Acacia tree branches throughout the day. These fascinating predators defy the conventional image of lions as ground dwellers, offering an extraordinary sight for visitors. But the park is not just about its famous lions—Lake Manyara is also home to a rich array of wildlife, including buffalo, giraffes, zebras, elephants, hippos, impalas, blue monkeys, vervets, aardvarks, civets, bushbucks, waterbucks, baboons, leopards, and even the elusive pangolin. This exceptional diversity of species within Tanzania’s ecosystems makes it a must-visit destination for safari enthusiasts and wildlife lovers alike.
Imagine a powerful predator, usually seen bounding across golden savannas in pursuit of herbivores, instead climbing a tree. While most wildlife enthusiasts know that leopards are natural tree climbers, and lions often rest in the shade of trees, Lake Manyara’s tree-climbing lions are an unusual and remarkable phenomenon. Not only do they break from their normal ground-bound behavior, but they have also become one of the most iconic wildlife attractions in Tanzania safaris.
Visitors to Lake Manyara will often see lions perched on the massive limbs of fig trees, surveying the landscape and keeping a watchful eye over grazing herds of gazelles, antelopes, and impalas below. These lions are not natural climbers. Watching them scramble awkwardly onto tree branches can be both amusing and fascinating. Over time, however, they’ve perfected the art of climbing and resting at high vantage points to keep an eye on their territory.
Why do these lions climb trees? Various theories circulate among wildlife experts and park visitors. Some suggest that it provides a strategic lookout to spot prey from above, while others propose it’s a method to escape the numerous biting insects that swarm at ground level. Some believe it’s a behavior passed down through generations, with young cubs mimicking their parents’ actions and learning agility and climbing skills as part of their development.
The only other pride of tree-climbing lions in Africa is found in Uganda’s Ishasha region in Queen Elizabeth National Park. This behavior remains a fascinating rarity and a true highlight for Tanzania safari tours. The sight of these lions resting in the treetops has become a unique experience for travelers seeking rare wildlife encounters during their Tanzanian safari adventures.
Whether it’s the spectacular wildlife diversity or the spectacle of the tree-climbing lions themselves, Lake Manyara offers an unforgettable safari experience for nature lovers, photographers, and wildlife enthusiasts. Don’t miss the chance to witness one of Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife behaviors in Lake Manyara National Park.
The tree-climbing lions of Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania are a unique wildlife attraction:
- Why they climb: Lions in Lake Manyara climb trees for a variety of reasons, including to escape the heat, protect themselves from insects, and to observe prey.
- Where to find them: You can spot the lions on game drives in the park, either during the day or at night. You might also see them around the savannah plains or in lion prides.
- What they climb: The lions climb acacia, sycamore, and candelabra trees in Manyara.
- How they climb: They carefully move around the branches before they find a thorn free place to relax in the heat of the day.
- When they climb: They descend from the trees at night and remain in the treetops during the day.
- How they got the skill: The exact reason for the Lake Manyara lions’ tree-climbing skills is unknown, but it’s thought to be a behavioral adaptation to their specific environment.
- How they compare to other lions: Most lions in Tanzania spend their time on the ground, so the lions of Lake Manyara are truly unique and worth a visit.
- Our safaris that include Lake Manyara Tanzania include Serengeti and Masai Mara
The Giant Tuskers of Lake Manyara Tanzania
Lake Manyara, Tanzania, is home to some of the most magnificent Giant Tuskers in Africa. This refers to elephants with enormous tusks, symbolizing the park’s thriving elephant population.
Lake Manyara National Park is one of the rare places in Africa where giant tuskers roam, the main conservation area for these magnificent animals being Tsavo National Park in Kenya. These elephants are older and wiser and have an aura of pride and leadership that draws tourists every season to seek them out on safari. Lake Manyara supports large herds of elephants seen in the lush forests, acacia woodlands and water-covered regions where they can find enough vegetative food to eat. Illegal hunting during the years 1985 to 1991 decimated 75% of the elephants but this rose again to 200 in 1996 – and today there are 4 000 of these gentle giants!
The huge white tusks protruding from an elephant’s jaw are their essential second upper incisors that keep on growing throughout their long lives. How tragic that humans have decided that these tusks are valuable and should be removed at force in violent, cruel ways, taking the elephant’s long life at the same time? If the elephant lives to be 40 years old, for example, its tusks will also be 40 years old and super long – an adult male’s tusks can grow as much as 18cm in one year.
The famous “Tuskers” of Tsavo National Park in Kenya have extraordinarily long tusks which have been known to almost touch the ground as the elephants walk! The bull’s tusks grow faster than the cow’s tusks and they are used to dig, lift up vegetation, gather plant foods, strip bark from trees to eat, and defend the animal. They also serve the vital purpose of protecting the trunk that the elephant needs to breathe, drink and eat. The longest tusk ever recorded on a bull elephant measured 3.51m and weighed a massive 117 kg!
Other Wildlife at Lake Manyara
Beyond its famous tree-climbing lions and giant tuskers, visitors can spot giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, and elephants. Primates like blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, and baboons are common, while nocturnal creatures include civets and aardvarks. The elusive leopard and pangolin add to the park’s appeal, alongside waterbucks, bushbucks, and impalas. With over 400 bird species, including flamingos, pelicans, and storks, Manyara is a haven for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts alike.
The magic of Lake Manyara National Park is sublime and life-changing from the minute you enter the park and feel the tranquil aura of such a beautiful place. We now know that this select safari destination in Tanzania is famous for its lions that climb trees and for its huge old great tusker elephants. But what of the other wildlife in Manyara?
The balance of an ecosystem relies on the food webs where plants, herbivores, predators and birds all play vital roles. Lake Manyara is a vast and shallow alkaline lake in the Rift Valley System and when it’s full, the lake covers two-thirds of the park. Pure underground springs and some permanent streams feed which has no outflow and can become very low and dry.
Thousands of wildebeest only graze the alkaline grasslands around the lake, mingling with other herbivores including zebra, bushbuck, waterbuck, Grant’s gazelle, impala, Thompson’s gazelle, buffalo, giraffe, hippos, baboons, warthogs and elephants. Predators include lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, jackals, and honey badgers. Birdlife is prolific and Manyara is acclaimed for its unsurpassed flocks of pink flamingos, accompanied by pelicans, storks, herons and diverse raptors including the palm-nut vulture and Ayre’s hawk-eagle.
Best Time to go to Lake Manyara
The best time to visit Lake Manyara National Park for a truly unforgettable safari experience is during the dry season, which runs from June to October. This period offers ideal conditions for wildlife viewing, as animals tend to gather around the park’s limited water sources, making them easier to spot. The clear skies, pleasant temperatures, and fewer mosquitoes also create an enjoyable environment for exploring the park’s diverse ecosystems.
For birdwatching enthusiasts, the wet season from November to April is an excellent time to visit. During this time, Lake Manyara’s soda lake fills with water, attracting thousands of migratory birds, including flamingos, making it a bird lover’s paradise. The lush, green landscapes also provide breathtaking views.
However, the wet season does bring its challenges, such as fewer tourists and less accessible park roads due to rain, and wildlife may be more dispersed. If you’re specifically looking to see the famous tree-climbing lions and other iconic wildlife, the dry season remains the best choice.
Overall, the ideal time for a Lake Manyara safari depends on your interests. For wildlife sightings, the dry season is the way to go, while the wet season is perfect for birdwatching and enjoying lush landscapes. Whether it’s the golden landscapes of the dry season or the vibrant birdlife of the wet season, Lake Manyara offers rewarding experiences year-round. Discover the incredible Lake Manyara wildlife here.
For water activities such as canoeing, bird watching, and waterfall walks, the wet season from November to June is ideal, when the park’s natural beauty reaches its peak. In the dry months, Lake Manyara presents mesmerizing views of salt-encrusted shores and diverse wildlife, making it a top safari destination.
Safari Circuits that Include Lake Manyara National Park
Part of the popular northern safari circuit in Tanzania on the western escarpment of the Rift Valley lies Lake Manyara. It radiates as a must-see destination along with pretty Arusha on the slopes of Mount Meru, the celebrated Serengeti National Park, the tantalizing Ngorongoro Crater, Kilimanjaro and Tarangire National Park. The northern circuit in Tanzania is brimming with tourists all year so choose your accommodation carefully and combine some of these regions into one dramatic Tanzania East African safari tour. A Lake Manyara safari promise plenty of wildlife viewing, jaw-dropping vistas and captivating birdlife will take from one week to three weeks at a time, depending on your resources and desires on your Tanzania safari tours.
The best way to fall in love with Tanzania’s most spectacular wildlife treasures is on a tailormade 8-night East Africa safari tour to the awe-inspiring Ngorongoro Crater and the superb Serengeti grasslands. Stay in luxury lodges and camps as highlights of the best fully inclusive packages to Tanzania taking in the unforgettable sights of Arusha, Lake Manyara National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park. Predator-prey encounters, forest hikes, exhilarating game drives, thousands of pink flamingos and a secret tree house lodge too.
This 10-night island-bushveld Tanzania tour showcases some of the top romantic East African accommodation on idyllic Zanzibar Island, blended with luxury safari lodges in the Serengeti while tracking huge herds of mammals and then photographing the early dawn in the Ngorongoro Crater area. Experience Tanzania’s world-class game drives and bush walks in the upmarket and renowned national parks where silver service dining is still a thing and iconic acacias dot the infinite golden grassland landscapes. Share a cozy treehouse in the heart of Lake Manyara and catch lions lounging in the forks of trees, huge old elephants sporting enormous tusks, and hundreds of pink flamingos wading in clear waters!
Some safari circuits that include Manyara are specialized fly-in tours to the best national parks in East Africa, one of our best journeys being the 10-day luxury air safari to Tanzania. Explore the thrilling northern safari circuit during the height of the great annual wildebeest migration to the Serengeti, and picnic in the stunning Ngorongoro Crater. There’s 2 heavenly nights in a thatched treehouse suite at Tarangire Treetops, in ancient baobab trees, with breath-taking 360-degree panoramas of the Great Rift Valley, Lake Manyara and the distinctive peak of majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro. What you get is exceptional wildlife sightings in a captivating cross-section of habitats such as huge watery lakes, massive grassland plains, awe-inspiring floodplains, wetlands and riverine forests.
