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    Flamingos in flight at Lake Manyara, Tanzania

    Luxury Safaris in
    Lake Manyara
    made for you

    Small but mighty national park known for tree-climbing lions, giraffes and birds
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    Excellent wildlife

    Spot predators and prey on the plains

    Bird spotting

    Look out for a wide variety of bird life

    Vector art of a river, drawn in bold, gold line

    Up high

    Take a hot air balloon safari

    A bird and wildlife paradise

    By managing to squeeze a majority of Tanzania‘s diverse habitats, animals and birdlife into just one, and by most standards, small national park (33,000 hectares) Lake Manyara is a very popular park, made even more so for its tree-climbing lions, thriving herds of giraffe and broad range of bird species.

    Set between Arusha and the Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara National Park runs along the Rift Valley escarpment and where two-thirds of its hectarage lies under the waters of its alkaline lake. Spot baboons, blue monkeys and bushbuck in its evergreen forests, buffalo, wildebeest, giraffe and zebra on its flood plains, whereas its acacia woodland is popular amongst its leopards and those tree-climbing lions.

    One of the main draws to the park is its variation of birdlife. Thanks to its watery terrain there are healthy populations of large waterbirds such as flamingo, cormorant, pelican, stork, stilt and much more to discover.

    Highlights

    Glide over the tops of ancient baobab trees as the sun rises, looking out for elephant herds, antelope, zebra, lion, on a hot air balloon ride

    Take a stroll through the local farming village of Mto Wa Mbu and enjoy a local lunch in the middle of the village

    Go on a sky-high adventure along the Manyara Treetop Walkway, experiencing nature and wildlife from a unique perspective

    Enjoy a truly unique and unforgettable outdoor fitness experience as you go running across the plains with a Maasai warrior

    Beyond the allure of possibly spotting tree-climbing lions, and marvelling at vast expanses of flamingos, Lake Manyara in Tanzania offers you breathtaking views of lush forests and diverse wildlife. The lake's serene waters, framed by the dramatic backdrop of the Great Rift Valley, create an idyllic setting for photographers and nature enthusiasts alike.

    Jody van Merode headshot

    Jody van Merode

    Senior Travel Designer

    Luxury accommodation in Lake Manyara

    There are many incredible places to stay in Lake Manyara. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:

    Why book with Jacada?

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    Personalised design

    We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.

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    Authentic experiences

    Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.

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    Responsible travel

    Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.

    Ready to plan your adventure?

    Whatever you want from your Lake Manyara tour, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

    Discover more of Tanzania

    Arusha thumbnail

    Arusha

    Arguably the Safari Capital of East Africa, Arusha is a bustling city in northern Tanzania and the main hub for those who are going to be embarking on a safari in this extensively game rich country.

    Discover more
    Katavi National Park thumbnail

    Katavi National Park

    For safari experts, the isolated Katavi National Park comes highly recommended. With a combination of grassland plains, marshland, rugged hills, woodland, lakes and rivers, this multifaceted region of Tanzania is home to a dense and varied wildlife quotient - including predators.

    Discover more
    Kilimanjaro Climb thumbnail

    Kilimanjaro Climb

    The mighty Mount Kilimanjaro, or ‘The Roof of Africa’, is the continent’s highest mountain. To reach this dormant volcano’s snow-capped peak, hikers have to embark on a challenging yet epic journey. As you ascend the mountain you will camp from point to point, enjoying staggering sights along the way.

    Discover more
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    Mahale Mountains

    Sitting right by the longest freshwater lake in the world, Mahale Mountains is the best place to visit for spotting chimpanzees in Tanzania. The region also offers plenty of opportunities to spot birds and aquatic life of all kinds.

    Discover more
    Mwiba Wildlife Reserve thumbnail

    Mwiba Wildlife Reserve

    Marking the southernmost point of the wildebeest’s migration loop, Mwiba Wildlife Reserve is where the herds spread out across the wider region to calve between January and March. There is only one permanent camp option so you’re guaranteed unbeatable privacy and exclusivity. There is also the possibility of setting off on night drives.

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    Ngorongoro Crater thumbnail

    Ngorongoro Crater

    A great introduction to Tanzania, this nature wonderland offers you incredible sightings of the famous big five as well as a whole host of excellent plains game.

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    North Serengeti thumbnail

    North Serengeti

    The North Serengeti forms the border with the equally famous Maasai Mara of Kenya. This is the region where the herds are at their most concentrated during the migration, and it’s where you’ll see the infamous river crossings.

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    Nyerere National Park

    Nyerere National Park is the largest game reserve in all eastern Africa. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The region remains relatively untouched by humans but expect to see a huge concentration of elephants (almost half of all of Tanzania’s). With the mighty Rufiji River flowing through the reserve, visitors can also spot crocodiles and hippos.

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    Ruaha National Park

    Ruaha National Park is the largest national park in Tanzania and East Africa. This pristine area has the same wildlife density and diversity of the Kruger, but with only around 1% of the visitors, so privacy is a given.

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    Serengeti National Park

    The Serengeti National Park is one of the world’s most famous national parks. It is host to Africa’s Great Migration where huge herds of wildebeest, zebra and antelope travel around before making their way into Kenya’s iconic Maasai Mara.

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    Singita Grumeti

    Singita Grumeti is Tanzania’s largest private reserve. The reserve is exclusive to Singita properties, which means privacy is a given. The region offers unrivalled game viewing experiences, and especially during the Great Wildebeest Migration between the months of June and July.

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    Tarangire National Park

    Tarangire National Park is home to huge herds of elephants. There are also over 550 bird species including the Yellow-collared Lovebirds and the world’s heaviest flying bird, the Kori Bustard. Depending on the time of the year, you can also see the migratory wildebeest.

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    Zanzibar

    The African island of Zanzibar, paired with its Arabian history, makes for an excellent safari add-on. With intriguing architecture evident in the main town, Stone Town, you will be able to experience a mix of culture and landscape with pristine beaches and crystal clear waters.

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    Meet your Africa team

    When to visit

    Tanzania is an amazing destination to visit all year round, but if you’re after the Great Migration, visit between June and July. The iconic river crossings take place from August to October and calves are born at the start of the year, with up to 8000 born daily during February. November to June is best for birdlife.

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    Bird spotting

    November–June

    Green season main icon

    Green season

    January–February

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    Great Migration

    June–October

    When is the Best Time to Visit Tanzania?

    When is the Best Time to Visit Tanzania?

    Read more

    Plan your trip to the Lake Manyara

    Whatever you want from your adventure in Lake Manyara, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

    Herd of zebra in the grasslands in the golden light, TanzaniaHot air balloon over Marrakech in the sunset light.

    Plan with peace of mind

    When you book a trip in today’s world there’s a lot to think about. But with the right advice and expert planning, you can do it with confidence.

    If you book to travel with us but your plans are impacted by circumstances you can’t control, we’ll change your reservation or cancel your booking for a full credit towards future travel.

    Find out more
    Ariel view of waves breaking on a forested shoreline