Safari Guide
Lake Manyara National Park
Quick answer
Is Lake Manyara worth visiting?
Yes, as a half or full day on the way to the crater and the Serengeti. Lake Manyara National Park covers 648.7 km², of which 262.7 km² is the lake itself. It is known for its tree-climbing lions, a groundwater forest, flamingos on the lake, over 400 bird species and a 470 m canopy walkway. Non-resident adults pay TZS 127,750 a day to enter, before VAT.
| Size | 648.7 km², of which 262.7 km² is lake (TANAPA) |
| Known for | Tree-climbing lions, the forest, flamingos, over 400 bird species |
| Time | Half a day, or a full day with the canopy walk |
| Entry fee | TZS 127,750 per adult per day, excl. VAT |
| From Arusha | By road, or daily light-aircraft flights |
| After the parks | 5–9 nights on Zanzibar |
| Last verified | 2 October 2026 |
The park
What is Lake Manyara National Park?
Lake Manyara National Park was established in 1960 and recognised as a Biosphere Reserve (UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme) in 1981. It covers 648.7 km², and 262.7 km² of that is the lake. At the north end, a dense evergreen forest fed by underground water holds blue monkeys, baboons and forest birds, and elephants and buffaloes move between the forest and the shore.
TANAPA counts over 400 bird species, and describes the lake as a critical feeding ground for lesser flamingos. The park's most famous sight, though, is in the trees.
The lions
Do lions really climb trees there?
Yes. TANAPA names the tree-climbing lions as the park's best-known attraction: lions resting on big branches, a behaviour seen more often here than in most parks. It is not a guaranteed sighting, and TANAPA notes that it also happens in Tarangire, the Serengeti and Mikumi.
Your best chance is a patient drive with a guide who knows which trees the lions use. If they are not up on the day, the forest, the lake shore and the elephants still make the visit.
The lake
When are the flamingos there?
TANAPA describes Lake Manyara as a critical feeding ground for lesser flamingos. How many flamingos are on the lake changes with the water, and no official page gives the months, so ask your safari company what it is seeing before you book if flamingos are the main reason to go.
In the long rains (the UK government gives the end of March to May) the park is green and some tracks are harder going; in the dry months the animals come down to the water. Either way, Lake Manyara fits well as a stop between Tarangire and the Ngorongoro Crater.
Time
Half day or full day?
Lake Manyara is small enough for a half day and varied enough for a full one. The difference is what you add to the game drive:
| Half day | Full day | |
|---|---|---|
| Game drive | The forest and part of the lake shore | The forest, the whole shore and the hot springs |
| Canopy walkway | Usually not | 470 m long and up to 18 m high (TZS 51,100 per person) |
| With an armed ranger | No | A walking safari or canoeing, where offered |
| Fits the circuit | On the way from Tarangire to the crater | With a night near the park |
Activities as TANAPA lists them for the park; the canopy fee is TANAPA's non-resident rate, before VAT.
Fees
What does Lake Manyara cost?
TANAPA's own tariff, in Tanzanian shillings and before VAT; the entrance is the season row valid from 16 May 2026 to 14 March 2027:
| Fee | Amount, excl. VAT | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance, adult | TZS 127,750 | Person and day |
| Entrance, child aged 5 to 15 | TZS 38,325 | Person and day |
| Canopy walkway | TZS 51,100 | Person |
| Night game drive, adult | TZS 127,750 | Person |
| Canoeing, adult | TZS 51,100 | Person |
Safari companies usually include the park fees in their price. The whole budget: Tanzania safari costs.
The circuit
How does Lake Manyara fit the trip?
By road the park lies between Arusha and the Ngorongoro Crater; Coastal Aviation's timetable also has daily flights from Arusha to Manyara that continue to the Serengeti. Most guests see it in a half day between Tarangire and the crater.
When the parks are done, the flight from Arusha to Zanzibar takes around 1 hour, depending on the airline and the aircraft. Our page on Zanzibar after safari covers how many nights to plan on the beach.
Where these facts come from
Official sources
- TANAPA: Lake Manyara National Park: The park in its own words: area and lake, tree-climbing lions, the hot spring, flamingos, birds, the forest and the canopy walkway.
- TANAPA: park entry tariffs (online reservation system): The official park fees in Tanzanian shillings, excluding VAT (public "Park Entry Tariffs" tab)
- Coastal Aviation: timetable and price list (updated July 2026): The daily flights from Arusha to Lake Manyara, continuing to the Serengeti.
Checked on 2 October 2026. We link to the bodies that set the rules, not to summaries of them. Rules change: check the page itself before you travel.
Good to know
Questions travellers ask
Lake Manyara is small and close to the main road, which is why it is so often a half-day stop. These are the questions guests ask.
Is Lake Manyara worth visiting?
Yes, for its variety in a small space: the groundwater forest with blue monkeys and baboons at the north end, the lake shore with flamingos and water birds, elephants and buffaloes, and the chance of lions in the trees. It fits easily between Tarangire and the Ngorongoro Crater.
Do lions really climb trees at Lake Manyara?
Yes. TANAPA calls the tree-climbing lions the park's most famous attraction: they rest on big branches. It is not guaranteed on any given day, and TANAPA notes the behaviour is also seen in Tarangire, the Serengeti and Mikumi.
When are the flamingos at Lake Manyara?
TANAPA describes the lake as a critical feeding ground for lesser flamingos. How many are there changes with the lake, so ask your safari company before you book if flamingos are the reason you are going.
Is half a day enough at Lake Manyara?
For a game drive through the forest and along the shore, yes. A full day lets you add the canopy walkway, the hot springs and, with an armed ranger, a walk or a canoe trip; TANAPA lists night drives here too.
How much does Lake Manyara cost?
TANAPA's tariff lists TZS 127,750 per non-resident adult per day and TZS 38,325 per child aged 5 to 15, before VAT, for 16 May 2026 to 14 March 2027. The canopy walkway costs TZS 51,100 per person. Safari companies usually include the park fees; ask.
What is the hot spring at Lake Manyara?
A spring heated by volcanic activity; TANAPA gives temperatures of up to 76.5 °C. It is a stop on a full-day visit, not a place to bathe.
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