Lake Manyara National Park Day Trip
A compact, beautiful park below the Rift Valley wall, with lush forest, elephants, hippos, baboon troops and flocks of water birds.
- Duration
- 1 day
- Route
- Arusha – Mto wa Mbu – Lake Manyara National Park – Arusha
- Start / end
- Starts and ends at your hotel in Arusha (pick-up and drop-off included)
- Best time
- The park is good year-round; the dry months of about June to October suit big game, while November to April is best for birds.
- Trip style
- Private safari in a 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof and an English-speaking driver-guide, for your group only.
Tour overview
Lake Manyara National Park sits at the foot of the dramatic Great Rift Valley escarpment, and packs a surprising variety of habitats into a small area: a shady groundwater forest, open grassland, acacia woodland and the soda lake itself. It is easy to reach from Arusha and makes a relaxed, rewarding day safari.
Troops of olive baboons and blue monkeys move through the forest, elephants browse along the roads, and hippos wallow at the hippo pool. Depending on water levels, the lake can attract flamingos, pelicans, storks and many other water birds. The park's lions are known for occasionally resting in trees, though sightings are never guaranteed.
For a different view, you can add the treetop walkway, a series of suspension bridges through the forest canopy. It is a great choice for families, keen birders and anyone wanting a gentler introduction to safari.
Highlights
- Game drive below the Great Rift Valley escarpment
- Groundwater forest with baboons and blue monkeys
- Hippo pool and lakeshore birdlife, including flamingos at times
- Optional treetop walkway through the forest canopy
- Shorter drive from Arusha than most parks
- Private 4x4 with pop-up roof and picnic lunch
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park and back
After a 7:00 am pick-up from your hotel, drive west for about 2 hours through Maasai country and the busy market town of Mto wa Mbu to the park gate. The morning game drive leads through the groundwater forest, home to baboons, blue monkeys and elephants, then out to the open floodplain where giraffe, zebra, buffalo and wildebeest graze. Stop at the hippo pool and look out over the lake for flamingos, pelicans and storks. After a picnic lunch, you can join the optional treetop walkway or continue exploring toward the hot springs area. In the late afternoon you drive back to Arusha, arriving around 5:30 pm.
What is included
- Pick-up and drop-off at your Arusha hotel
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Lake Manyara National Park entry and conservation fees
- Full day of game driving
- Picnic lunch
- Bottled drinking water
- Government taxes
Not included
- Treetop walkway (optional, booked on request)
- International and domestic flights
- Visa and travel insurance
- Tips for your guide
- Drinks other than water
- Personal items and souvenirs
Good to know
- The treetop walkway has its own separate fee and is best reserved in advance.
- Flamingo numbers vary greatly with water levels and season.
- Bring binoculars; the park is excellent for birdwatching.
- This trip combines well with the Mto wa Mbu cultural tour on a separate day.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Lake Manyara from Arusha?
The park is roughly 125 km from Arusha, about a 2-hour drive on a good paved road. It is one of the most accessible national parks from town.
Is the treetop walkway suitable for children?
Yes, the walkway is generally suitable for children who can walk confidently, and it is accompanied by a guide. Let us know ages in advance so we can confirm the arrangements.
Will we see tree-climbing lions?
Lake Manyara's lions do sometimes rest in trees, but sightings are occasional rather than daily. Your guide will check recent reports and do their best to find them.
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