Lake Manyara National Park Tanzania

Lake Manyara National Park, set at the foot of the Great Rift Valley, captivates with its tree-climbing lions, flamingos and stunning scenery — small in size, yet rich in diversity.

The diverse landscapes of Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park may be small in size, but it is exceptionally rich in diversity. The park stretches along the base of the impressive Great Rift Valley, whose steep escarpments form a dramatic and scenic backdrop.

At the entrance, you drive through a lush groundwater forest, with towering fig and mahogany trees that are often home to baboons and monkeys. Further on, the landscape opens up into wide grasslands and wetlands, where giraffes and zebras graze peacefully.

At the heart of the park lies the vast alkaline lake, which covers a large part of the area. Its size varies with the seasons, but it remains a major attraction for large flocks of flamingos and other water birds.

This unique combination of forest, savannah, wetlands and lake makes Lake Manyara one of Tanzania’s most varied national parks — perfect for a short yet remarkably rewarding safari.

Although Arusha National Park is less known for large predators such as lions, it offers a rich variety of other wildlife. You may encounter giraffes, buffaloes, waterbucks, warthogs, zebras and various species of monkeys.

For bird lovers, the park is a true paradise: more than 400 bird species have been recorded here, including kingfishers, flamingos and birds of prey.

A particular highlight is spotting the rare black-and-white colobus monkey, which is commonly found in the montane forests of Arusha National Park.

From tree-climbing lions to flamingos

Lake Manyara National Park is renowned for its remarkable mix of wildlife. Most famous are its tree-climbing lions — a rare behaviour seen in only a handful of places worldwide. Alongside these iconic predators, the park is home to large herds of elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, hippos, zebras and numerous antelope species.

Lake Manyara is also a paradise for bird lovers. The alkaline lake attracts thousands of flamingos at certain times of the year, painting the shoreline in soft shades of pink. In total, more than 400 bird species have been recorded here, including pelicans, kingfishers, bee-eaters and birds of prey.

Whether you are searching for big game or vibrant birdlife, Lake Manyara continues to surprise with its exceptional biodiversity.

Did you know…

Lake Manyara National Park is famous for its tree-climbing lions?
They are believed to climb trees to cool down, avoid insects and gain a better vantage point.
The park covers just 330 km², yet boasts remarkable biodiversity?
From dense forests to open savannah, you encounter a wide variety of habitats in a short time.
You can also spot large herds of elephants in Lake Manyara?
They are often seen around the Hippo Pool and in the forested areas.
Writer Ernest Hemingway once described Lake Manyara as “the loveliest I had seen in Africa”?
His words helped put the park on the world map.