The groundwater forest
Just inside the gate, the road enters a lush forest fed by springs flowing from the escarpment. Fig and mahogany trees shade troops of olive baboons and blue monkeys, and elephants move quietly through the undergrowth. It is one of the greenest places on the northern circuit.
Wildlife
Beyond the forest, woodland and floodplains open towards the lake. Look for elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and hippos in the pools. Lions here sometimes rest in trees, a behaviour also famous in Uganda’s Ishasha; sightings are never guaranteed. In suitable years, flamingos gather on the lake shore. Read flamingos of the Rift Valley lakes.
Things to do
- Game drives through the forest, woodland and floodplains.
- Birding along the lake shore and forest.
- The Maji Moto hot springs in the south of the park.
- Cultural walks in the market town of Mto wa Mbu below the escarpment.
A sample day
Leave Arusha after breakfast and reach the park mid-morning. Drive through the forest for baboons and elephants, picnic by the hippo pool, and continue along the floodplains in the afternoon before climbing the escarpment to your lodge, with views over the lake at sunset.
What to expect
Manyara is warm by day, and roads are good. Because it is compact, drives are relaxed and you rarely spend long between sightings. It is less famous than its neighbours, so mornings can be quiet.
Where to stay
Lodges on the escarpment have superb views over the lake, such as Kirurumu Tented Lodge. Karatu, about an hour away, is a good base for both Manyara and the crater; see Gibb’s Farm.
Combining Lake Manyara with your safari
Manyara fits naturally between Tarangire and the Ngorongoro Crater. See our 7-day Tanzania northern circuit safari and the best time to visit Tanzania.
Practical tips
- Enter early in the morning for the quietest drive through the forest.
- Keep car windows closed near baboons, which are bold around picnic sites.
- Bring binoculars: Manyara is excellent for birds, from hornbills to pelicans.
- The park’s treetop walkway gives a different perspective on the forest canopy.
- Allow time to stop at the escarpment viewpoints above the lake on your way out.
Lake Manyara or Tarangire?
Both are close to Arusha and often visited on the same trip. Tarangire is larger, with bigger elephant herds and baobabs, and is best in the dry season; Manyara is smaller and greener, with its forest, lake and birds. If you have time, visit both: Tarangire for game drives and Manyara as a gentle half day on the way to the crater.
Mto wa Mbu
Below the escarpment, the busy market town of Mto wa Mbu is home to people from many different communities. Guided walks visit banana farms, craft workshops and local food stalls, a lively contrast to the parks.
